Claimed

Claimed

Elle Amour Mate Seekers, Book One

Trista is living every middle-aged woman’s fantasy—she wakes to find her body is pre-kids, pre-stretch marks and pre-gravity. Oh yeah! What’s more, the lover sharing her fantasy—blond hair, piercing turquoise eyes and a sculpted body to drool over— makes her feel like the sexy teen she was back when he first visited her dreams. Except this is no fantasy, and Rurik the Conqueror is no dream lover. He’s real, he’s not from Earth, and this time he’s come to claim her. Rurik had known Trista of Earth was his by the Svendian way—her scent. A war and fears for her safety were all that kept him from staking his claim years ago, but no longer. He needs her like he needs his next breath. But unknown forces intrude on his plans and Rurik finds she’s in greater danger than ever. This time he’s not giving up, and he’ll die to protect the woman who completes his soul in a way he never imagined.

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Claimed ISBN 9781419925023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Claimed Copyright © 2010 Elle Amour Edited by Sue-Ellen Gower Cover art by Dar Albert Electronic book publication March 2010 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

CLAIMED Elle Amour

Dedication This book is dedicated to my husband and best friend, who has been my biggest supporter; my editor, Suz; and to you, the reader. Enjoy this new world of Mate Seekers, and many blessings to you and yours.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: ET: Universal City Studios, Inc. Star Trek: Paramount Pictures Corporation

Elle Amour

Chapter One His woman. He could smell her in the mists. From behind a tree he watched her lope through the woods, gliding like a nymph. She’d grown older since he’d last spied her. He knew she would have a few lines on her face, a few white hairs she tried to cover up within her dark hair, but his blood still yearned for her. Hidden, Rurik watched a trickle of sweat roll down her face. She’d lost some weight since he last came. How many of Earth’s years had passed now? Too long. It was time he claimed her. She came closer, her head bowed toward the ground, seeming deep in thought. A green light whizzed past, almost nicking him. The laser struck a tree near the woman, causing her to lift her head and stare straight at him. Another shot fired as he pulled his pistol. His enemies had found him. “Run,” he yelled at her, wanting, needing her to get away. Another silent volley. Rurik grabbed her and ducked but too late. The laser had wounded her. “You,” she whispered, and collapsed into his arms.

***** A clean scent. Thick with moisture. That’s what hit Trista first. She sucked in a breath then groaned. Her eyes hurt. She felt them behind her closed lids. And she lay… On what? Her body felt light, as if suspended in air. Murmurings drifted to her. The same voices she’d thought she’d heard before, another moment when she tried to wake and couldn’t. Her lids fluttered open, for a longer period this time. Her pupils focused. She lay in a coffin. Well, a see-through one. She could see the outside. A room. A medical room? She remembered something hitting her chest. At least the sensation felt as if she’d been hit. Her heart. Had she finally had the attack her cardiologist warned her about? And here she thought she’d done so well, exercising, losing weight, getting her cholesterol level down. She visualized the plaque on her box of ashes—Trista Sorenson Jamison, fifty. Lovely. But the man was there. The one in her dreams. Who was he? Not real. She shook her head, her mind still slow from the drugs they must have given her. She was only imagining things again. She’d done that a lot lately, 6

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daydreaming about the lover she’d made up so many years ago. Trista knew the fantasy was an escape mechanism. Something to take her mind off her messy divorce. Her counselor had said as much. But she liked the dream. Her fantasy was the one place she felt most sure of herself. Lights flashed in a panel across the room. Voices came to her again but she couldn’t make out the words. Her eyes flickered as she glanced around, turning her head to take in more of her surroundings. The stiffness in her neck prevented her from seeing behind her yet she noticed the light in the room seemed to come from the walls, the whole wall, not just one spot. Weird. This was the oddest medical facility she’d seen. Struggling, she attempted to speak but the noise that came from her sounded more like a squeak. She closed her eyes. Her weakened body wanted to sleep again but Trista forced her mind to stay awake. She needed to assess the damage, find out what was wrong with her. Was she dead? A figure moved into her line of vision, blocking the panel lights. With his back to her, the large man seemed to study whatever information he could glean from what she guessed was a computer. He had shoulder-length, dark brown hair and looked particularly well built, if she judged correctly how well he fit his calf-length blue coat. Hmmm. Perhaps she wasn’t dead, only dreaming again? The man turned and stared at her. A strange mixture of desire and professionalism gleamed in his pale blue eyes. The stare seemed to pierce her skin. A corner of his mouth lifted in a quirky smile, highlighting his cheekbones and the dimple that showed. He was young, well, much younger than she, and handsome. She blushed and closed her eyes, running a hand over her face and then her body. Oh God. She was naked. “Cedric,” the man uttered, his voice sultry. “Tell the commander she’s awake.” A younger, blond Viking of a man peeped at her with a pleased smile. She reached to cover herself but whatever injury she’d sustained prevented her from moving fast enough. He got a good look before he turned away. She grimaced, not knowing whether to be embarrassed that these men had seen her nude or utterly horrified that they had studied her droopy boobs and the stretch lines that crisscrossed her abdomen from her two pregnancies. Before she could decide, the younger man marched away. She could hear his footsteps on the floor and a door that swooshed open. The other man approached. Resting his arm on the coffin, he pressed something along the side then asked, “I know you’ll find it hard to talk. Nod if you can. How do you feel? If good, nod once. If not, we’ll see what we can do.” She attempted a nod. “Bet—ter,” she rasped. “Where…” Her lips could only form the words.

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His smile grew more toward the professional end. “You’ll be a hundred percent in no time.” He pressed a few more buttons then lifted the lid of the enclosure and stroked a finger against her face. “In fact, I think the commander will be quite pleased.” Commander? She heard the door swoosh again, the footsteps that approached. The man from her dreams stood beside the other, a worried arch in his blond brows and a pointed look in his turquoise-colored eyes. A bit taller than she remembered, his shoulders a bit larger, he wore a fitted blue shirt that opened in a vee at the front, exposing much of his upper chest. The black pants he wore were made of some material that lay so tight on him she could see the muscles bulging in his legs—and elsewhere. His large penis lay nestled in the crotch of his pants. He placed his fists on his hips. “Thank you, Alaric.” The other man nodded. “Remember, everything was restored. Be gentle.” A corner of her dream man’s mouth rose. “I’ll remember.” He released a soft chuckle. “If I recall properly, the first time I breeched her, she welcomed the act.” Alaric smirked. “If you say so, Rurik.” Breached her. Huh? The commander reached for her and lifted her into his arms, coddling her bared body against his chest. “It’s time I claimed you.” His rich voice brushed the skin of her heated cheek. Claimed her? She wanted to know what he meant, where she was, but tiredness won in the end. As darkness befell her once more, her dream lover’s deep voice echoed in her head. I claimed you. And somewhere in her muddled brain, she dreamed she lay sated in his arms once again.

***** Rurik hoped she’d wake soon. Alaric, the ship’s main healer and his best friend, had assured him she would be fine, so he’d brought her to his room and put her in his bed. Yet she slept. And that worried him. He frowned. Although they had outrun their enemies and were on their way to his home planet of Svendia, he wondered if he should go back to the bridge. There was much to do. The cowards who had attacked him were still at large. Yet as he gazed at the woman’s naked beauty, he couldn’t pull himself away. Her body glowed with renewed health as if a siren welcoming his touch. Thank the ancestors Alaric retained the skills to restore her. She moaned and rolled to one side, exhaling, mumbling. He wondered what thoughts went through her mind as she slumbered. She remembered him. She wasn’t supposed to. Every time he’d mated with her, he’d treated her with the laser that removed such memories. Yet she had remembered him.

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He pressed his lips together, worried about the consequences of his rash action in taking her aboard. Long ago, he’d visited the planet. A respite, an adventure he wanted and needed. There he found the woman. From her scent, he knew she was his. After many Earth years and much more political effort and haggling on his side, he finally got the Svendian council to at least consider his proposal to mate with her, especially the lead politician, his uncle Craddock. As headmaster, his uncle kept the council under tight rein. Rurik grimaced. Even now, so many sleep cycles after his father’s untimely death, there were those who opposed the mating with an off-worlder, even though most females and many males of his time were sterile. He gazed at her iridescent form, a temporary result of the healing treatment that repaired all the functions in her body. Even though he as yet did not have the full council approval, this time he had taken a chance to go to Earth, a small, out-of-the-way planet that both his ancestors and the ancestors of his enemies had settled in the ancient past. The planet was a place where fertile females continued to thrive. His enemies had followed him there in numbers, hoping, Rurik knew, to capture him, but how had they known where he’d gone? The secret had remained with his loyal few. Who could have betrayed him? Trista moaned again and turned toward him. She batted her eyes then peered at the ceiling. “Hello.” He listened to his voice, knowing it was the translator implant in his body allowing him to speak her language, yet the sounds of the ancients always intrigued him. She looked at him. “You’re…here again.” Her voice wavered. He strode to her and sat on the bed. “How do feel?” He fingered the soft strands of her hair. “I…” Her green eyes narrowed. “Am I dead?” Her voice grew stronger. Rurik sighed in relief. “Hardly. You’re fully restored. Well, almost. When you’ve rested more, your healing will be complete. There will be nothing wrong with you. Nothing.” She lifted a brow. “Really?” The word echoed with sarcasm. Then she laughed softly to herself. “Well, this is the most interesting fantasy I’ve had in a while.” She gazed at her naked body then looked at him. “I guess I like to be nude. In my dreams at least. Or is that some condition of yours?” He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. “I prefer it.” “Ah.” She rubbed his leg. A come-on smile graced her lush lips. “This is a dream then, some inner fantasy, because when I’m awake, I certainly try to stay covered as much as possible.” He wondered why she would hide her luscious body. “You’re not in a dream, woman.” He worked to keep the anguish from his voice, the pain of almost losing her.

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He caressed the side of her waist then slid his hand across her belly. The lines she’d had there were gone now, one of the effects of full-body restoration. Alaric had said those marks were the ancient signs of childbearing. Good. He knew she’d already had two children. He’d seen them often from a distance. Knowing they’d been there reassured him that his match with her would bring forth a needed heir and people to replenish their clan. His fingers traversed her rib cage to her breast. The silky feel of her skin made him ache for her. His cock stiffened. He worked to control his breathing. He couldn’t simply take her this time. For one thing, for all intents and purposes she was a virgin again. He wanted her to enjoy their mating. More importantly, she had to agree to this. He wasn’t about to erase her memory. He needed to mate, bring an heir to life if his sperm could impregnate her. Yet before she could agree, she had to realize this was real, not some dream. There was no going back to her world. Not now. Not when he was this close to the claiming, the ancient rite of choosing a life mate. With bridled passion, he molded his fingers around her breast, squeezing the mound gently as he slipped them toward her nipple. Her back arched in pleasure. She lifted her breast to him. Her eyes grew heavylidded. “It’s been too long,” she crooned, her voice roughened with desire. “Too long?” He wasn’t sure what she meant. From all indications she had conjoined with a man many times. “Too…long since…” Her eyes opened. She stared at him with lust. He pinched her nipple. She moaned as her lids closed once more. “Since this?” He licked the peak of her breast as he rolled the knob between his fingers. “Yes.” Her breathy voice stirred him, made his hard-on throb as the blood filled his organ. Why had she waited so long for sex? Curious. Still, for some reason her confession pleased him. He wanted to tease her more. “And this?” He pinched her clit and tugged on the flesh. “Oh!” Her hips shot straight up. He grinned. “As usual, you are ready for me. Almost.” A sure indication that the fates meant for them to be together. Panting, she lifted her head. “As usual?” “Yes.” She frowned. “Ready for what?” He arched a brow, amused by her muddled state, one caused by her recent healing and intense sexual reaction. “To fuck you, of course. And complete the claiming ritual.” He slid a fingertip to the entrance of her vaginal canal, stopping before he hit her newly restored hymen. 10

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“Oh,” she purred with seduction, “of course. We’ve done this before.” “Yes, my lady.” With that he released her and stood to shed his coverings, not able to resist her any longer. When his member sprang free, she rose on her elbows and smiled. “Thank God I have an imagination. Otherwise I’d never get any sex.” He wanted to question her about her abstinence but the thought left him as she touched his steel-hard dick. With her last breath, she caressed his rod then placed her lips over the soft flesh of his tip. By the ancestors. He almost lost his precious semen in her mouth. “Mmm, you taste so good.” Trista licked and suckled his tip. A bead of pre-cum leaked and she savored the musky, salty taste. “Woman…” His voice quivered. He rested his palms on her shoulders. She could tell he held himself back. “Yes.” She released her breath against the slit at the tip of his purpled head. He wanted her. Bad. “You cannot take me in your mouth.” “Why not?” Trista exhaled against him and glanced at her muscular phantasm, the man with the body of a god. She relished the game she played with him. He half shut his blue eyes as his body shook. “You want me,” she taunted. He fixed a penetrating gaze on her. “Yes. And I will have you, but first you must verbally agree to the union. That will seal our bond until the formal ceremony.” “Oh honey. Trust me on this. I’d agree to anything with you. Just name it.” A corner of his mouth lifted into a half-cocked grin. “Become my life mate.” Trista giggled. This was getting better all the time. “Sure. Whatever you say.” His face grew emotionless as he took her hand and molded her fingers around his hard cock and stroked. “Then you agree to our union?” His rich, silky voice titillated her nerve endings and made them scream for the promise of pleasure his body made. “Yeah baby. Take me. Take me now.” Geez, she was hot. Something about this entire weird thing stirred her waning libido like crazy. Another by-product of menopause? She’d been told things like this could happen, that she would have surges in her libido, but she hadn’t believed it. She was always too controlled. Who would believe this would happen to her? Ah hell. Go with it. It’s a dream. Who will know? Unless she told the marriage therapist. But why should she? After nearly thirty-three years of marriage, she’d divorced her ex, Seth-the-butthead-Jamison long ago. The counseling was more for him. Sure, he had wanted to work some things through. Like having her and his new wife at the same time.

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Trista grimaced then got mad. He’d only used her again with the therapist to try to make up to their two kids. He’d forced her into a position to go along with the counseling. Hell, he’d dumped her for another younger, thinner woman. Why should she care what he thought? Fuck it. Trista glanced at the man in front of her, the embodiment of everything she desired. Why shouldn’t she indulge? It was a dream, right? The best dream she’d had to date. He stood there naked with his hands on his hips, studying her, waiting, as if knowing she was thinking this through. “Understand that your agreement puts me in charge of you. You cannot go back to your old life. You will be mine for the rest of our time together.” Why would she want to go back to her old life? It sucked. Besides, let’s see, this would last, ah, one night? Hell, the fantasy was worth it. Yet he seemed so serious. “Yes,” she said in a softer voice, meaning it as a reminder to herself, wanting her dream man to know she never wanted to relive her past. “But tell me one thing.” “Name it.” He bent over and placed his hands on either side of her head, bringing his mouth within inches of hers. “What do I call you?” she whispered against his lips. When he smiled this time his eyes sparkled. “Rurik, the Conqueror.” She giggled. “Of course. I should have known.” She reached her hand behind his neck and pulled her imaginary lover to her, taking his lips with hers.

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Chapter Two Rurik’s arms slid around her to hold her tight against his broad, muscled chest. Gently, yet with intense passion, he took over the kiss, his mouth unyielding against hers, the onslaught making her whimper with need. She could feel the wetness blooming between her legs. “I will die to protect you, and I will protect you always,” her fantasy man whispered against her cheek. He paused to let her breathe and his hand came around to palm her breast. “If you say so,” she murmured against his earlobe, wondering why he would make such a declaration, yet letting her hands explore his hard body, savoring the seemingly real feel of him. She licked the lobe she’d teased with her exhalations before she suckled the flesh in her mouth. The sharp intake of his breath let her know how much he wanted her. He pulled away slightly and stared at her, a serious and deadly glint in his eyes as his penis pulsated against her leg. “The attack. That will never happen again. You will never be at risk. I will not lose you. I swear.” She ran the tip of her finger against the sharp line of his strong chin. His intensity wrapped around her spirit. “I believe you,” she murmured, thinking this dream had more depth than any she’d had before. He meant what he said. It was as if she could feel his passion. “I’ve dreamed about you before,” she pulled him to her and whispered in his ear, afraid she’d wake up and he’d disappear again. “How many times?” He turned his head to study her, his turquoise eyes penetrating her emotional defenses, his hand gently brushing the hair from her cheek. “Several, but two that seemed so real I could never forget.” She furrowed her brows. “Funny. Those dreams left me so horny I really needed to screw, you know what I mean? I was so turned on that a vibrator just didn’t cut it, not after a wet dream like that. Whew.” She smiled, remembering the shock on Seth’s face when she jumped his bones. The first time it happened, they’d only been dating. He’d been pushing her for months to fuck but she’d begged off. Then wham. When she found she was pregnant, they married. Hell, she thought she was in love, thought her dreams were some weird extension of Seth, but every time she made love to her ex, she’d actually imagined the man in front of her. When they separated, she took most of the blame on herself, thinking the problem was those constant fantasies that drove him from their bed. When at first she tried to get him to work their problems through, Seth informed her he’d only married her because he thought her a hot lay and an easy way to get his rocks off. Being a careful man, he

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didn’t want to catch anything. Hell, he could fuck her all he wanted without a condom. And if they got a couple of kids in the bargain, that was okay by him. The kids would be an extension of him. Such hazards were bound to happen with his potent masculinity. Besides, what more could a man want? What more indeed. She sighed and ran her hands over Rurik’s sculpted torso, knowing she’d never put up with something like that again. She gazed into his questioning face. “Well, at least in this world we don’t need a condom. Can’t be knocked up now anyways. Haven’t had sex in months. Besides, I’m too old.” She somewhat regretted the thought. Being younger, having another child to love with a man she truly cherished… That would be a blessing. Not that she would love her real children any less, it was just… She didn’t know what the “just” meant but the warmth the thought gave her felt good. Made things right with her world. She closed her eyelids to shoo away the dismal reminder of Seth’s betrayal, knowing she needed to reconstruct her world and feel good about herself. Opening them, she looked into her made-up lover’s face, realizing that even now she imagined him. Funny thing, she’d mumbled the words about getting pregnant to herself but she thought her conqueror may have bitten the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing—or smiling—or both. She wasn’t sure. “I still want you.” His smooth, deep baritone voice resonated with passion. Oh yeah, those were the thoughts she wanted going through her mind. Not some shit dealing with Seth or her aging bones. She shifted her leg to stroke his phallus with her thigh, delving into her trance, wondering if she was dead or simply asleep. “I can see that.” “Besides…” His ragged breaths caressed her cheek. The corner of his mouth cocked upward. “You might be surprised what your body will do.” He captured her mouth with his then whispered against her moist lips. “I will have a child from you.” His hand left her breast and teased its way to her clit, fingering the wet flesh, tantalizing the tender skin by massaging and pulling on the small nub, driving her menopausal libido into hyperdrive. “How?” She could not control her husky response. She wanted him, needed him now. He chuckled against her neck. “I told you your body was restored. I will prove it to you after I’m satisfied that you have been sated and cannot take any more foreplay.” She gulped. “It’s been a while. I think I’m already there.” “Not yet.” His saucy smile made her heated body shiver in anticipation. “I know what you like. I remember the ecstasy you had in my arms.” He kissed her again. His teeth grazed over her lower lip and he left trails of heated pecks down her cheek, traveling to her neck as he lowered himself to her breast. When he reached the tender nub of her areola, he gently teethed that too then captured the hardened nipple in his mouth and tongued the peak. 14

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Her chest rose to meet his onslaught. She mewed her pleasure. “Rurik,” she breathed as his finger outlined her wet labia. “Man, I’ve needed this.” “Good.” His breath caressed her skin. He lightly chuckled. “That’s another promise I’ll make you. To keep you as sated as I can. Always.” He committed himself to keeping her satisfied? That was a first. She gulped to hold back a wall of black emotions that threatened to overwhelm her, thinking her fantasizing would be the death of her. A fault she had come to realize blinded her to the problems in her first marriage. She didn’t need anyone to make her happy—or to satisfy her. Wasn’t that what she’d told herself? “You’ll never leave then?” “Never. We will be together always. You are mine now—or will be when I have taken you.” He eased his forefinger against the portal to her womb and thumbed the nubbin that defined her sex. She shoved her hips upward against his palm and groaned, sending the dark thoughts of betrayal and abandonment to the nether reaches of her mind. Right now was about her and about satiating her thrumming libido. She rubbed her pussy against his hand, wanting more, but he’d yanked his finger away too fast. She pouted. She wanted him to penetrate her to the hilt. Feel the full length of his finger. Clench the tiny muscles in her vagina against him and sense the fullness of actual skin-to-skin contact within her. “Take me.” Her voice sounded so hoarse she didn’t even recognize herself. “Now.” He propped himself on his elbow and studied her, his hand coming again against her mons, his fingers alternating between rubbing and tweaking the nub of her sex and outlining her labia. “When I do,” he kissed her, “it will be like the first time.” She smirked. “I could use some firsts.” “Then I will make certain that you are ready for me. I don’t want to hurt you. I promise this will never pain you again.” Pain her? She didn’t know what he meant. How many times had she been laid? It didn’t matter. All thought left her as he kissed her mouth, plundering the inside with passion. She moaned and inhaled his musky scent. He smelled like sex. She wanted more of what his body promised. She ran her hands up his sinewy chest and fingered the spattering of hairs upon his skin then let the tips of her fingers meander toward his nipples. She grasped his small nubs and gently squeezed. He sucked in a breath. “Woman, do not tempt me to take you too soon.” His heady voice stroked her as he shifted to suckle the folds of her neck again then drift lower, stopping to lave and suck her other breast. She whimpered with the stimulating sensation, anticipation stoking her ardor as he worked his slow, torturous pecks down her body. When he reached her pussy, he settled his chest between her legs and exhaled pointedly against her clit. Between the strokes of his finger and his warm breath teasing

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her heightened sex, she almost came, but he wouldn’t let her. Instead, he kept her teasingly on the edge, causing her excitement to slightly ebb then flow until she teetered on the precipice again. “Rurik,” she panted, hardly able to speak, “please…” He lifted his finger and sucked her cream off the tip, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “I’ve always enjoyed the taste of your body.” “Mmmm,” she moaned, the inflection of her voice pleading for his body in hers. “Rurik…” She could barely speak. He fingered her labia and lowered his mouth to her crotch, nipping the insides of her legs, tonguing with deliberate slowness to her vee. She reached for him, running her fingers as best as she could through his long, golden locks. “Touch yourself for me.” “Huh?” “Feel yourself.” “But…” She’d never dreamed of doing that before. Not while she fantasized about being with a man, especially this one. But why not? This illusion was to satiate her hormonal, crazed sex drive, right? Who would care? She rubbed her fingers up her sides, grasped her breasts and slid the tips of her digits to her nipples then squeezed. Rurik groaned and took her clit into his mouth, sucking it, teasing the tender flesh with his tongue and his teeth. “Oh!” Her hips bucked upward and pressed against his lips. With her body so inflamed, her cries of passion grew louder until she couldn’t take anymore, until all she knew was the hot feel of him on her. She squeezed her nipples harder as her climax came, then collapsed against the bed when her ardor was finally spent. As sanity returned, her ragged breathing slowed. “I must have needed this more than I realized. I am soooo glad I remembered you tonight.” At some point, she must have closed her eyes because when she opened them again, she thought for sure she’d be awake and in her room at home, but the strange place was the same. And there was a heavy someone between her legs. “Boy, this really is some dream.” She gazed at Rurik. He looked at her and cocked his brow. “I told you this was no dream.” “Hmmmm.” She quirked the side of her mouth upward. “I must not want to let you go. I’ll have to analyze the psychology of that later.” She pursed her lips. “It’s probably a hormonal thing. At least that’s one good thing about menopause—hot sex, even if it is imagined.” She lifted her hips to stretch. The nub of her sex brushed against the few hairs on his chest and she felt the juices from her vagina trickle down her perineum to coat her anus. The sensation rocketed her nerve endings, jolting them with a hard driving need once more.

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She wanted him. Again. All of him. “You know, I’m not going to stop dreaming about you right now until you fuck me.” If the gleam in his blue eyes was any indication, he was more than willing, even with her aged body. With deliberate ease, he ran his finger from the rim of her anus to her labia, wiping the cream from her skin then lifting his hand and licking her essence off his finger once more. “You really like that, don’t you?” She raised herself on her elbows to see him better, curious as to what he—or in reality, she—found so fascinating. A dimple showed when he grinned. “Yes, don’t you?” The comment took her aback. “I wouldn’t know.” He arched a brow again. “Have you never tasted yourself?” “Ah…no?” The dream was getting kinkier all the time, yet she found she enjoyed it. Nothing had stimulated her this hard in many moons. “Then you must.” He slid his muscular body over her abdomen and offered his finger to her. She pulled her head back. “Why?” “Because you should know yourself. And because I want you to know why I want you so badly. Taste.” He held his finger closer. Why he wants me so badly? Oh yeah. This dream was only getting better. She’d never allowed herself this much sexual freedom. Ever. Swallowing, she hesitated, questioning why she wanted this. He pushed his finger closer. She let the tip of her tongue ease between her lips and lick. Different. She didn’t know what it would taste like but the salty fluid was nothing like the barbs her ex used to throw at her, saying she smelled like fish. Fish. Right. The scent was more flowery. “Well?” He eased his body up hers even more. His face neared her breasts. She smiled. “Not my cup of tea but it doesn’t taste bad like I thought it would.” He chuckled. “No, it doesn’t. Now, my lady…” He reached for her cunt and massaged her mound. “It’s my turn.” He slid down her body again and sucked the nubbin of her sex, teased the bundle of nerves with his teeth while one of his hands grasped her breast and kneaded the flesh, tweaking her nipple and rolling the skin between his fingers. Her gasps of pleasure grew louder. She let her head drop backward. Her arms quivered with the need of her body, the limbs barely able to hold her weight. Her cream drenched her legs, and she knew his hand would be wet as well. Then he pulled himself up against her, one of his arms holding her to him, his pulsing member brushing the cleft between her legs, titillating her sex, rousing her already frenetic libido to a higher plane as he gently laid her back and rested atop her. “Tell me you’ll have me forever, Trista. That you know I am no dream.” He held his

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penis in his hand, slowly stroking the swollen head against her clit, driving her to distraction. Through heavily lidded eyes, she stared into his. The various hues of blue and green in them said so much. A swirl of emotions that pleaded, that desired, that needed her as much as she needed him. He wanted her. Forever. He seemed so real. Had she gone mad? She must be but she didn’t care. It was a good mad, one she could live in for an eternity, because she wanted him to be there. She swallowed. A small voice in her head warned her that if she agreed, life would never be the same. To hell with it. Gone was the timid woman she had been. It was time she lived again. “Yes, Rurik. I’ll have you. Forever.” She reached for him and pulled his head to hers, taking his mouth and plunging her tongue within. The head of his rod teased her folds and pulsed in the entrance. She panted against his lips, needing him with a desperation she’d forgotten she could feel. “Take me, Rurik the Conquerer. Make me your conquest.” She could sense his smile against her mouth. “Then forgive any discomfort this one time.” She nodded—then he plunged his staff into her.

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Chapter Three Trista gasped as Rurik’s powerful thrust tore into her. For a moment there was an uncomfortable sensation, but only a moment as his ample member filled her, her walls gripping him, not wanting to let him go. She moaned then thought, was that her hymen? No, couldn’t be. A virgin? She had two children, for pity’s sake. But there it was. She’d felt her virginity rendered. Well, she dreamed she did. She was asleep, right? Probably in a hospital. Maybe the meds they gave her had caused these weird visions? Regardless, when she’d first imagined this warrior, she’d been a virgin. And when he’d popped her cherry then it felt very much the same. Hell, when it happened for real, when she finally got it on with Seth, she didn’t feel a damn thing. Very weird. “Are you okay?” Rurik’s heat and his breath against her cheek brought her thoughts back to him. She fingered his sculpted shoulders. He felt so good, so real. Where was she? She should try to wake. “Beloved?” A worried tone threaded through the man’s heady voice. His penis pulsed inside her. Aw, to hell with it. She needed this first. Then she’d wake up and figure out where in the world she was and what was going on. She smiled at her warrior. “I’m fine. Screw me good, Rurik. Good and slow. I want to treasure this.” She squeezed her vaginal walls around him, savoring the feel of him inside her, knowing with her waning sex hormones this might be the last time she could sense this with so much passion. Then she ground her hips and clit against his crotch. That feels so good. She thought Rurik must have thought so, too. Moaning his agreement, he clenched her to his powerful chest and rocked his member inside her, good and slow. When he pulled outward, the friction only built, leaving her breathless for the surging thrust to come. Instead of plunging right back in, he let his penis hover at her entrance, teasing, taunting her for more. The mix of sensations was more than she could take. She whimpered and lifted her hips as she grasped his butt and pulled him into her. “More.” He chuckled in her ear. “I thought you wanted your pleasure slow.” She shook her head back and forth against the soft sheets. “Can’t take it. Fuck me hard. I need this.”

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He grasped her then, his hands firmly on her rear, and shoved his large rod swiftly inside her. She arched into him, letting him take her any way he wanted. Again, a thrust. And again. His sex stroked her labia, her walls, the crescendo of his tempo driving her lust toward a pinnacle she had only reached when she dreamed of him. She could feel him inside, touching, pounding all the erogenous spots she knew his hard cock would reach. “Yes!” One last stroke and her body screamed with pleasure, trembled at the fulfillment of her basic need as she tumbled into her long-awaited sexual indulgence— the release of years of unrequited passion. When she lay spent and limp in his arms, he plunged into her twice more then growled with his release. For silent moments they lay still, their bodies damp, his musky scent still tantalizing. When Trista’s breathing returned to normal, she lifted her hand to brush a lock of Rurik’s wheat-colored hair from his face and studied him, wondering what he thought. His eyes probed her as if asking the same question. He brushed his thumb against her cheek then placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “You are mine now. And I protect what is mine.” She knitted her brows and whispered, “What is it you want from me?” He smiled but a sadness echoed in the small lines around his eyes. “This. And the heirs you will bring. I am yours as well. You may ask anything of me to perform on you. We are unofficially bonded now. It is your right.” “My right?” His behavior really made her curious. She knew she was in la-la land but where in the hell was her mind going? He strummed her face with his large, calloused hand. “You must have questions. I can see them in your face.” “I do.” She pursed her lips. “Where am I? And why do I call you Rurik the Conqueror? What have you conquered? Never heard of the name Rurik. From what part of the world is that?” This time he clenched his jaw and she knew it was to keep from laughing. “Would you believe that I am not from your world?” “Pffff.” She pressed her lips together to keep from cracking up out loud, marveling at her vivid imagination. “Oh yeah. That I believe.” He looked at her, confused. “You know.” She waggled her brows. “This is a dream. Hello? Earth to Trista, you have finally lost all your screws.” Rurik closed his eyes as if in pain and shook his head. “Lost what screws?” “It’s an expression. It means I’m crazy. Insane. You know, ready for the loony bin.” He grasped her forearms and slid his hand to her wrists then moved her wrists upward and held them together above her head against the soft fabric of the bed. “Now 20

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listen to me, woman, and listen well.” His voice took on a velvet air of command. “You are not crazy. You are not sick at all. The ship’s healer has cured you. You are mine now and we are not on Earth. You must accept this.” “But…” He seemed so serious. She grimaced. She had to get her brain back in gear. “That can’t be. I mean, there’s no such thing as little, hairless aliens who visit our planet then beam off in some spaceship.” He kissed her cheek with a long, gentle touch and then did the same to the other. When he looked at her, his voice grew soft. “I am not hairless nor am I little.” She smiled seductively and rubbed her hips against his well-formed penis. “No, you certainly aren’t.” An appreciative spark glimmered in his eyes. “I’m glad you approve, but you must know you are on my ship. I am the commander of the fleet that came to Earth to get you. You are my woman and have been for some time, although we were never formally joined before this moment. Now, if you cannot believe this from my word, then tell me what I must do to convince you as it is imperative that we are mated. I must have heirs.” “But I’m too old for—” He took her lips with his and teased her mouth with his tongue. Reaching between her legs, he rubbed the folds of her sex then inserted his finger deep into her. When he pulled it out, he held his hand for her to see. “Does this help prove what I’ve been saying?” Could it be? Her virgin’s blood and other bodily fluids coated the tip. “Oh…my…God.” She was suddenly unable to handle any more bizarre thoughts. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, her last thought that this couldn’t be real, before she fell back to sleep.

***** “Is she okay?” Rurik stared at his woman as Alaric ran the sensing device over her body. His friend nodded. “She appears to be fine but she’s exhausted. Her mind and body just can’t take all this right now, so it shuts down to heal. Perhaps you exercised your newfound husbandly rights a might too hard?” He chuckled at his own play on words. “Piss off.” Rurik knew what he meant. Alaric had wanted him to wait before he bedded her but Rurik didn’t want to waste any more time. A fertile, unclaimed woman would be scooped up quickly—even by someone who didn’t have the need to bond with her. He wouldn’t take the chance he could lose her again. Especially to his enemies. Ones who had been known to steal mates. Alaric packed his instrument. “What she needs is more rest. I’m sure this,” he waved his hand over his head to indicate the spaceship, “has been a bit much for her. She’ll need some time. She did commit to you, didn’t she?”

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Rurik nodded. Alaric’s smug, knowing smile made Rurik uncomfortable. “Then when you get the final approval from the council, we can have the formal ceremony.” Rurik studied his woman, worried. “You don’t think that will be too much for her? Her world is so different. More like the ancestors who settled there.” “Yes.” Alaric studied the woman then smiled at Rurik. “But like some in their world, those who originally came wanted to live the old way. They lost much in doing so. The viruses and bacteria in this world have shortened their lifespan. The bugs make them age much faster than normal. And they’ve forgotten almost everything they should have known to save themselves. Each one of these people should live past eight hundred Earth years, yet…” He shrugged. Rurik inhaled a deep breath. “I’m glad we have cures for those now.” “I’m glad I could save her.” Rurik agreed. “What do you think her lifespan will be?” Alaric shrugged again. “She’s an adult woman. Perhaps a little more than yours, maybe less. It’s hard to tell since she grew to adulthood so fast.” “About five to six hundred more of their years then.” His loyal friend and comrade smirked. “I’d say at least that much, given good health. As to her current status, I’d guess at about three hundred and thirty-three in our years, maybe three hundred and thirty-four. Enough to match your four hundred and twenty-one. Physically you are a mite older.” He sniggered. “You didn’t happen to tell her your age, did you?” Rurik quirked the corner of his mouth upward. “You’re the one who suggested I take things slowly. I put first things, first.” Alaric snorted. “I can see that. Well, before you stun her any more with your revelations, I think you ought to cement the facts you’ve already shared. Maybe you can take her on a tour of the ship. I’m sure your warriors would like to meet the woman who forced their commander to drag them halfway across the galaxy.” “Which reminds me…” Rurik walked over to the console on the wall and waved his hand across the indicator screen, activating it. “Bjorn, is there more on the ones who attacked us?” “None,” his Number One replied. “We’re still searching. The team we left behind is gathering clues.” “Have they found anything linking the attack with the Vulgarians?” “No, not yet. Your sister took off to examine your woman’s former abode. Jinn should be reporting in soon.” He paused. “I don’t understand why they would attack us. Earth is neutral ground. An attack there would cause a full-scale war.” “Drakkar the Ruthless Bastard wouldn’t care.” Rurik knew the argument full well. He’d already pondered it a billion times, but if it wasn’t his nemesis, who? The Renegades, a sect of their race that had broken off from both Drakkar’s and Rurik’s 22

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worlds, were only after money and power, but even they wouldn’t have attacked Rurik or his crew on Earth. Yet the bigger question was who had betrayed him. Only a few warriors on his ship and his uncle on the council had known where he went. In order for the attackers to be waiting for him, they would’ve had to know his plans ahead of time. “Keep me posted. Out here.” He waved his hand in front of the screen again and the console went black. When he turned, he noted that Alaric’s worried frown matched his own. “There’s a traitor in our midst.” Rurik nodded. “I know. How to find him is the question. I don’t think they meant to harm my lady, yet…” Alaric nodded. “I’ll ponder this as well.” His woman stirred. Alaric glanced at her then back to him. “I’ll take my leave. When she awakes, feed her. She’ll need sustenance. Then take her on a tour of the ship. That should help.” Rurik scowled. “Her coverings have always been full-body. I don’t know if she’ll like what I give her to wear.” Alaric sniggered. “Maybe not, however I’m sure the men won’t mind.” The men? They would only stare at her luscious form. Rurik growled as Alaric made good his exit. The woman stirred again. “Doctor?” Her eyes fluttered open. She groaned as she turned to where Alaric had been when he last spoke. Rurik strode to the bed and sat next to her. “He left.” “You.” She glanced around again. After taking in her surroundings, she closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “I’m still dreaming.” He cradled her in his arms and placed soft pecks on her cheek then down her neck. Trista moaned softly. “Why is it I can’t seem to get rid of you? I must be really horny because I want you again.” He knew what she meant. Every time they were together, he felt it too, this desperation to be with her, in her. He wondered if the sensation would wane over time. She fingered his pecs, lightly at first. Then her fingertips circled around and slid to his nipple, tugging on the small nub, barely twisting the skin. He groaned and buried his face in her neck. Her breathing deepened. “I’m so tired but I need you.” His cock stiffened. “Then you will have me. Whatever you want in this, I will give you.” He skimmed his hand down her sleek abdomen and fingered the vee of her sex. “You’re already wet.” She shot him a siren’s smile. “I know. You do that to me. You always have.” “Good.” He liked that he pleasured her. “You do the same to me.”

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“Hmmm.” She arched her mons against his palm, purring like a cat as he stroked her nubbin. “The way you touch me. It’s magic. I’ve never had it like this with anyone else.” “I’m glad you approve.” His voice thickened with want. He’d only put his leggings on when he called Alaric. Now he stood and struggled to remove them with his free hand. “Here, let me do that.” Rolling to her side, she grasped the waist and slid her hand down the back and squeezed a rear cheek. “You are one fine-looking man, Rurik the Conqueror.” He leaned into her, taking her lips with his. “So do you believe I am no dream, woman?” His woman squished the features of her face together. “First, let’s get something straight. My name is Trista. Trista Sorenson Jamison. You can call me Trista. I’d prefer it. Something about calling me ‘woman’ just sounds too caveman. Second, I’m fifty years old and in the throes of menopause, so if you are a dream, I hope I don’t wake up anytime soon. I’ve decided I’m having too much fun with this. Maybe this change of life stuff isn’t as bad as I thought. At least while this part is going on.” “Trista.” When he poked his finger into her wet canal, her hips shot up and the small muscles of her walls tightened around his finger. “First,” he emphasized the word to make his point, “you are not in menopause and won’t be for a very long time. Second, I’ll call you whatever you want, although when a man refers to a female as ‘woman’ in our culture it’s generally because she’s known to him, and third, I’ll say again, this is no dream.” He pulsed his finger in and out of her, making sure he stroked the erotic zones within. “Not a dream? Fine, but you are going to have to prove that to me.” She closed her eyes and whimpered with pleasure. “This will be interesting.” She studied him with an impish grin. “I never knew I had such a vivid imagination.” Rurik closed his eyes. How was he going to make her believe this was real? Before he could think, she slid his pants down to his thighs and grabbed his buttocks, pulling his hips to her and putting her hot mouth on his dick. She sucked his entire member in. His legs trembled from the sudden assault. “By the ancestors.” Blood hammered into his penis. He was hard before, but now? Now he needed his release. “Trista, I must have you.” Her teeth teased the skin of his cock and her tongue flicked the underside as she grazed up to his tip. When she reached the softer head, she coaxed the flesh with a squeeze of her mouth, then she released him and lay back against the bed and stretched, purposefully pushing her breasts up while shooting him the most seductive look he’d ever seen from her dark hazel eyes. He shed the garment and knelt over her, capturing her legs between his knees. “Trista, you are mine now. Say it. Say you will never leave me.”

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A sober countenance replaced the playfulness in her eyes. “I won’t leave you, Rurik. Not if you treat me right.” She rubbed her leg against his throbbing sex. He didn’t know exactly what she meant but her words were enough for him. He kneed her legs open and plunged into her with abandon. Trista gasped as Rurik filled her, taking the full length of him inside, his girth fitting her like a well tailored glove. She savored the feel, the wholeness that his penetration gave her, both physically and emotionally. With him, she felt a completeness again that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Why was it she could feel the things she craved with him, this fantasy of hers? She didn’t know and didn’t want to analyze her dreams. Rurik made her feel as if she was wanted and needed again—something she yearned for especially now with the kids grown and out of the house. He slowly stroked inside her with his cock, rousing her, causing her breath to catch in her throat. When his thrust ebbed again she exhaled, shuddering, the sound rich with mounting passion. She closed her eyes, her sexual fervor building as her climax neared. “Oh,” she gasped as Rurik rolled with her on his next thrust, his hands clenching her body to his as she landed on top of him. “Grind your hips into me. Stroke your clit against me as you squeeze and pump me.” His hoarse voice drove her libido to a higher plane. “I know you like it on top. I don’t want to come before you.” Good Lord. She did. His knowing her body so well rocketed her sex drive and teetered her on the edge of erotic bliss. She rolled her hips against him. When she pressed her palms against the sheets, he slid his hands under hers before she pushed her chest up and off him to angle her mound better against his crotch, tightening her vaginal walls against his hard, thick staff. Groaning, she moved on him. Her voice pitched higher, louder. A surge of intense carnal pleasure flew through her. She cried out, her voice ragged and loud as her release exploded. She savored her coming as she gripped her walls taut against him. He grasped her to him once more and rolled her onto her back, pounding into her, his roughened breathing titillating her neck. It was a sin this wasn’t real. Rurik roared again when his climax exploded within her. He lay against her, his sweat, brought on by passion, intermingling with hers, his scent clean and musky. She breathed deep, never realizing how sexy this man smelled, and nipped his neck, licking the salty sweetness. “Rurik, why can’t you actually be here?” She felt a tear form in her eyes. He pulled his head away to peer at her. “I am. And I will prove it to you.” The tenderness in his voice enticed her, made her want to believe. “How?”

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His brows knitted again. She knew he was trying to reach her in some way. “Perhaps this will help.” He slid off her and sat on the edge of the bed then held her hands up in front of her face. “Look at them. Do they look the same?” She studied the backs then turned them over to look at her palms. “I don’t have the scars I used to, the ones I had after I broke my wrist.” She flipped her hands over and studied the backs again. “And I can actually see the detail without glasses.” She looked over her arm then, propping up on her elbows, looked down at her abdomen. “Wow. I can see every little detail of my body without glasses. What happened to my stretch marks?” She fingered her stomach. She more or less talked to herself. This wasn’t reality but this dream had grown so vivid. If only… She snapped her head up and stared into Rurik’s eyes, studying them, trying to make something of the flecks of blue and green within them, the concern that seemed to stare back at her from the small crinkles around the edges. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. “I told you that you have had a full-body restoration. Everything came back the way it should have been. Everything.” A small light dawned on her. Sitting up, she reached between her legs, wondering if the blood from her virginity was still present. Rurik smirked. “I cleaned you while you slept. Before the healer came to check you over. I have the evidence though. I can prove to anyone that I breeched you again.” “Again?” She generally wasn’t one to be easily scared but much of this had started to worry her. She’d never had a dream with this depth. Had she slept with this man before? If so, who was he and why was she including him in such a weird fantasy? If not, where was she and what drugs had they given her to create such hallucinations? He brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “I told you that you were my mate. Until now I couldn’t claim you. There are some on the council, the ruling body of the Svendians of which you are now a part, who even now object to this. However, given the circumstances, I’m assured that approval will come.” “What circumstances?” He furrowed his brow. “The attack. The laser fire that was meant for me. With my armor, the blast would have only knocked me down, but they hit you instead.” Now she remembered. “But this can’t be real.” Dimples formed in his cheeks. “Come, I will show you.” He stood and held out his hand, the light in the room highlighting his naked, muscular frame. Trista held her breath. Her breasts tingled seeing the large, muscular form of the naked man in front of her. If only this could be real. But she wasn’t about to lament the absence of her youth and her ability to seduce a sexy man. Even though this was only a figment of her imagination, she wanted to appreciate every moment. Playing along with her fantasy, she put her hand in his and

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slid off the bed. He walked with her to a wall near the console that he had used before and stood her in front of it. “Stay here. I want you to see yourself.” He turned to the blank screen and waved in front of it. “Image window on.” Suddenly the wall shimmered with a silvery hue. When the glistening stopped, she stared into a large, silvered mirror. She studied her reflection, or at least what looked something like her. A tall, lean woman with curves and obvious muscles from working out looked back at her. “This is me?” Rurik nodded. She giggled. What kind of painkillers had the medical personnel given her? These hallucinations had to be from that. After all, to conjure up her dream man with her new body and with such strength. She shrugged. “Well, I knew I had some muscles somewhere. And I’m so lean. My girlfriends would be jealous if they could see this.” She twirled around and looked over her shoulder at her usually large ass. “Holy cow! No cellulite. What a beautiful butt I have!” A smirk slanted across Rurik’s face. “I’ve always thought so. Although you could use a little more fat on you.” She frowned. “Forget it. This is my fantasy and I’m going to be lean, young and beautiful.” She spun back around and stared agape at the image of her. Never in her life had she looked so good. And what was more, the gray in her hair had disappeared. Well, at least at the roots. Yes, there were some white ones near the crown, but dark hair had grown in underneath it. And it was fuller than it had been in years. Weird. Her skin tingled for a moment with some foreboding. She stepped closer and ran her fingers across her face. “My skin…there aren’t any wrinkles.” Rurik came behind her and gazed at her form in the mirror. “You are again about thirty-three Earth years.” “But…” She slid her hands down her chest and grasped her full, perky breasts. “Hey, these are looking goooood.” He chuckled and put his arms around her. Pulling her into him, he hugged her and kissed her ear, whispering, “I told you that you were fully restored. That means to good health as well.” She opened her mouth to peer at her molars but she was too far away to get a good look. Instead, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “What about my teeth? I had some crowns. Are my real surfaces restored, too?” He nodded. She giggled. This whole dream experience was soooooo outlandish she simply couldn’t come to grips with it. Still—she hefted her breasts up with her hands again— she loved being in this body. She figured she’d take the experience—and whatever drug they’d used on her—for what it was worth.

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Her stomach growled. “Hey, can I get something to eat?” Rurik frowned. “My apologies, my lady.” He placed a soft peck on her neck. “I was told to feed you.” “And,” she turned in his embrace, snuggling her breasts against the smattering of blond hair on his powerfully built chest, “is there such a thing as a bathroom in this place?” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed the tip of his nose. He pressed his lips together and tried not to laugh. “In here.” He took her around the bend in the wall and into a smaller room. She noted a shower setup but no toilet. “But I have to pee.” He ushered her to the shower-like area. “Wave your hand over the console and tell the computer what you want to do. I have already programmed the controls in my quarters to take your commands.” “Really?” This was getting better and better. She waved her hand over the smaller screen in the shower. “Give me a toilet.” A small door opened near the floor away from the shower-like head, and some mechanics caused a metal bin to extend. She looked up at Rurik. “Are you going to watch?” Her question seemed to take him aback. “Uh, well, not if you’re uncomfortable with that. I will go order you some sustenance. What would you like?” She pursed her lips to think. “It’s breakfast, right? At least it should be. How about some scrambled eggs and toast?” He smirked this time with some knowing grin. “Yes, Beloved. However, when you are finished with your ablutions then I would like to join you. We can cleanse each other.” “Cleanse?” She glanced up at the strange, sunflower-shaped showerhead-thingy then shrugged. “Sounds yummy to me. Can we eat in the shower?” With the smirk plastered to his lips, he said, “I’ll see what I can do.” Then he turned and left. It didn’t take her long to figure things out. In moments, she’d taken care of herself then turned to the console again. “Shower on.” A cold spray from the showerhead hit her directly in the nipples. “Yikes,” she yelled and jumped out. Rurik rushed around the corner. When he saw she was okay he simply laughed. “I should have warned you to tell the computer what temperature you would like the bathing water. I keep it cold for myself.” He hefted his arms and leaned them against the doorjamb. “I need it when I’m thinking of you and can’t satisfy myself otherwise,” he said in a lower, heady voice. He thought about her? “Well, I know what you mean. I already told you about needing sex after dreaming about you.” She giggled. Usually she would worry about

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what she told a new lover but this was different. In her dreams she could do anything with impunity. He strode to her and took her in his arms, cradling her fully against his body, kissing her lips so sweetly and hot… His mouth devoured her. His tongue outlined her lips then plunged inside, engaging her tongue, sparring with her flesh then letting her penetrate his mouth until he overpowered her, wrestling her into sweet submission. He retreated again, barely pulling his mouth away, his heavy exhalations stroking her lips. “Woman,” he breathed, “people have called me the conqueror because I have never lost a battle since I became a commander, but you…” He captured her lips with his and tongued the outline of her lips again. “You have tamed me. I am your slave.” She gasped as his penis pulsed against her, hardening again. Circling her arms around his neck, she kissed him and muttered against his lips, “I know what you mean.” Helpless, she let a tear fall. “I so wish you were—” He put a finger to her lips. “Don’t say it. I promise you will come to believe in me soon.” A sad aura hovered over his face but he smiled in retaliation. “Come, let us cleanse ourselves.” He kissed her then asked, “How warm do you want your bath?” “Hot but not too hot. Any other heat we can provide for ourselves.” He chuckled. “As you wish.” He ordered the shower to get warmer. Stepping inside, he offered her his hand. Putting her palm in his, she moved inside where he positioned her in front of the stream then pulled her into him. The temperature was perfect and the warmth soothed her. “So that you know, this isn’t only a shower.” Gazing up at him, she nipped then tongued his chin. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” He captured her mouth again, kissing her deeply. His tongue imprisoned hers then his parted lips pulled away and touched hers gently. “If you have need, this mechanism can also pleasure you. You may require this when I am away.” Away? “Why would you be away?” Was he some nurse or, more likely a male orderly, trying to wake her? Rurik scowled. “I have my duties. For one, I need to find those who attacked us. I will not tolerate anyone harming you.” “Oh.” She wondered from where in her psyche such protective thoughts had come. “If you say so.” She made a mental note. The information would be another thing she’d have to analyze after this bout of extreme eroticism. However, needless to say, when this delusion ended, she wanted to figure out how to get several more of them. But enough of that. Her mind and body wanted satisfaction. Now. “So what kind of pleasures are you talking about?”

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A wicked grin spread over his face, deepening the dimples in his cheeks. “Let me show you.” He stepped out. “But…” she protested. “Don’t worry.” He ordered the computer to dry him. “I intend to watch.” On command, a warmer light shone from the ceiling and a temperate breeze circled the room. The change caused her breasts to tingle and peak and the thought of him watching her, well… “Oh yeah.” A balmy gust blew against her clit. The stimulation released a tremor under her skin. “This is kinky. At least, the kinkiest I’ve been in a long time.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “You haven’t seen anything yet. Computer. Body scan for ultimate stimulation—make it a slow build.” She didn’t know what he meant but she loved looking at him, the way he stood with his legs parted, his arms akimbo over his sculpted abs, his biceps bulging against his well-developed chest, and his ample phallus hanging loose against his balls. What a view. Before she could soak in any more, a red light beamed over her, the rays seeming to stroke her calves, moving slowly upward, across her glutes, over her back and caressing her hips. When she covered her breasts with her arms to protect herself from the odd sensation, the light even seemed to nudge them away and take a slow accounting of her bosom. Before she knew what happened, the ray encircled her nipples and, with sensually excruciating slowness, squeezed as other rays warmed a path up her shoulders to her neck then her earlobes, making her skin tingle with lustful anticipation. The beams moved over her, stimulating her flesh, spending more time on the sensitive spots they uncovered, the erogenous results stoking her already escalating need. Soon a blue light joined the red, the cooler sensation causing her erect nipples to peak even harder. The red light grew more intense and seemed to squeeze and pull on the hardened tips. The effect caused her to cream, and even though the shower ran against her, she could feel the juices from her muff drip onto her inner thigh. Breathless, she glanced at Rurik. His eyes had darkened with desire. His hand cupped his testes and slid up his hardening penis, stroking, pulling extra long on the purpled head. She groaned and felt her legs quiver as the red light spread, the ray joining in the middle of her chest then breaking off and progressing lower. Another scarlet ray shone against her thighs, parting her legs and pulsing its way up her inner thighs. Torturously, the ray magnified as it neared her cleft, widening and spreading against her to cover her from the top of her pussy to her anus, throbbing against both, slowly, rhythmically at first, causing her skin to tingle with carnal need. Escalating harder, the pulses penetrated her. The first assault barely entered her anus, enough to send her soaring but not enough to be uncomfortable, making her rim prickle with erotic sensation, the ray spreading to her glutes and pressing against her as if it squeezed her.

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It was the second light that had her trembling. As if surrounding its prey, the ray encircled then stimulated her outer labia, alternating between the cooler blue and the hotter red then penetrated her inner lips. She creamed hard, she could tell. Then the light thrust itself up her vagina and pulsed, filling her canal. Somehow she felt the sleek friction against the rigid beam. Her inner walls tingled as they spasmed against the resistance the light gave back. Omigod. The sensation rocked her so hard she felt her legs falter. As if on command, the light buoyed her backside up and the one inside her pulsed harder, stroking, undulating—finding every erogenous zone, some she never knew she possessed. When the water throbbed against her, the light pulled harder on her nipples and the intensity of the ray’s movement within her escalated. She closed her eyes, savoring the onslaught, the tide of her pleasure rolling to its apex. A deep groan came from Rurik. The guttural sound roused her sexual desire to another, higher level. In moments he was against her, holding her ass up with his arms as she folded her legs around him. Cushioning her back with his hands, he jammed her against the wall and hammered his steel-hard cock into her pussy, taking the brunt of the pressure on his hands. The sensation. The feel. She never, ever experienced this much intensity. And it wasn’t just the physical. Somehow, she knew, Rurik needed her too. A few thrusts from him and her over-stimulated sex rode higher. His cock plunged the depth of her, filling her. In moments, she reached her peak, her orgasm a result of each nerve ending exploding underneath his touch. She screamed from the culmination of her driving lust, a sensation too much for her to keep tucked away inside. Seconds later, Rurik bellowed as well, his ejaculation seeping from inside her. The revelation that she was an intensely sexual being suddenly unnerved her. Why had she never experienced such lust-filled hunger before? She looked into Rurik’s face, wondering if he somehow felt the same, but how could he? He only existed in her mind. Yet the passion in his gaze belied that fact. His blue-green eyes studied her as if wondering if she felt as he did. He bent to kiss her. His labored breathing intermingled with her own. She clutched his shoulders, hoping that in the far reaches of her mind, he would never leave her, that she would never forget. His lips caressed hers, his hot mouth melded against her as if the two were one. Her foundations trembled. Even the room seemed to shake. Rurik grasped her against his body as his head snapped up. “The ship.” “Yeah.” She slid her legs down his body to stand on tiptoe against him and kissed the line of his strong jaw, thinking his body vibrated with passion as well. “You rock my world, too.”

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He stared down at her, a sudden seriousness in his look. The walls shook again, harder this time. “Commander,” the strained voice rebounded through the room. “On my way,” he answered then turned to her. “Stay here,” he ordered. “Get in the bed and have the computer strap you in. This might be a bumpy ride.” “What?” He held her away from him. She hated the coolness the absence of his body brought. “Do it. Do not argue with me. I will be back to get you should the need arise.” She ran after him as he marched out and into the bedroom, but before she could reach him, another door opened and he left—buck naked for the world to see. She ran a hand through her hair and swallowed. “I finally lost him.” A loud blast seemed to hit the shell of whatever building she was in and the walls trembled. Hell, she lived in Oregon. Had an earthquake hit? It must be. What else could cause such an impact? She heard others running down the corridor. She’d be damned if she was going to stay in the building and get crushed. Grabbing a sheet off the bed, she wrapped the fabric around herself and pounded on the portal Rurik had gone through. Nothing. The blasted thing didn’t budge an inch. And it had no door handles, no window. This must be an insane asylum. She hammered the metal door with her fist. “Get me out of here. Open this door.” Like clockwork, the door slid open. Weird. She poked her head out and peered down the hallway. Someone ran through another door at the end, someone wearing a uniform similar to what Rurik’s had been. That’s it, she thought. Rurik must work here. Was the man an orderly? Had he seduced her after drugging the hell out of her? If so, maybe she should ask him to do it again. She sputtered with the absurd thought. What had made her think that? “Shit, Trista, when have you ever been screwed so well? Get over it.” The building rocked again, this time with such power that she would have fallen flat on her butt if she hadn’t grabbed the doorjamb. Urgency forced her to flee. Not knowing where to go, she ran in the direction of the last person she had seen and faced another metal door. “Grrr.” She slapped the surface and immediately regretted it. Her skin stung. Think. You’re smart. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she straightened then spoke at the door. “Open.” The metal door flew into the wall. She stepped inside a small room with no other entrance. There were no buttons but could it be an elevator? Had to be. Still, with no buttons, how did she know where to go? “Destination?” A female voice asked the question. Hell if she knew. She said the first thing that came to mind. “Take me to Rurik the Conqueror.” She thought she heard the computer purr. “As you command.” 32

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The sudden jolt of speed that carried her surprised Trista and she wondered at the high-tech equipment in the facility where she had been committed. She’d never heard of a place like this. Another blast. This time louder. “What’s going on?” She’d muttered the question to herself. The computer’s snide voice responded. “We’re under attack, oh mated one. And the Vulgarians don’t play nice.” The elevator lurched to a stop. Another explosion rocketed the building as the door flew open. The resulting jolt hurled her through the portal. She landed flat on her face, the ends of the sheet flying from her hands, the fabric skimming down her shoulders and landing on her back. Sounds of measured urgency floated around her although she couldn’t make out the volley of words being used. Groaning, she rubbed the pain in the side of her face where she had slammed into the hard floor. Lifting herself onto her elbows, she swept the hair from her eyes and glanced up. All chaos halted for a split second. A bevy of men the size of Rurik stared back at her, some seated in front of consoles, some standing, most with a salacious smirk on their faces. On the far side near a console stood a fit, attractive woman. A sneer of contempt marred her delicate features. Beyond her, the screen reflected a picture of deep space with two huge spaceships in the distance, battling each other. Trista shook her head. The entire scene looked like something out of a B-grade sci-fi movie. She heard Rurik bellow an order from the middle of the room but the man to whom the directive was aimed simply huffed and pointed to Trista. “Aye, Commander, but perhaps you ought to get nonessential personnel in their right berth first.” He pointed to Trista. From the center of the room, a large chair swiveled around. His mouth gaping, a fully-clothed Rurik stared at her in horror. “Woman.” “Oh fuck,” she whispered. Her throat went dry. “You can say that again, honey,” the computer responded cheekily and somehow jerked her feet out of the doorway. “By the way—this is the bridge.” Then the computer-bitch slammed the portal shut.

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Chapter Four Rurik rushed to her. “Are you all right?” She swallowed. “Yes.” He grasped under her arms and lifted her. She barely had time to secure the loose ends of the sheet to cover her breasts before he yanked her up. “Cedric, secure her in my quarters.” The young blond Viking look-alike she’d seen before gripped her elbow. “Aye, Commander.” Before Rurik released her, he whispered in her ear, “I’ll discuss this with you later.” “But…” Rurik swerved and walked off, shooting an order to one of his men before she could finish. Cedric pulled her away and whisked her to the elevator again. The door flew open and Cedric ushered her inside. The door closed behind them. “Commander’s quarters.” “Now why didn’t it do that for me?” She had spoken aloud to herself but her new fantasy friend gave her the courtesy of responding. “The transporter?” She eyed the younger man. “Is that what you call this?” “Yes.” She frowned, confused by the twists her mind played on her. Somehow she had to figure this out, but how? So far going to sleep and waking up hadn’t changed a thing. Questions. That was it. She’d take the opportunity to question this man before her other, more amorous apparition showed up—again. When Cedric escorted her into the elevator she’d noted that all the men wore a similar design of clothes. The one woman she saw did as well. She gazed over Cedric’s well-tailored attire. An emblem of a planet and two stars decorated the left front of the long-sleeved azure top while a circular pin adorned the right. A vee opening in the front showed enough of his sinewy chest to stir any red-blooded woman. His slacks were black and fit like a glove. His boots hugged his calves. They looked like they were made of soft suede and matched the color of the pants. “Tell me that isn’t a uniform.” He pressed his lips together, she figured to keep from laughing. “Okay, I won’t.” She sighed and covered her face with her hands, a small headache springing up behind her eyeballs. “When is this dream going to end?” She’d mumbled the words but looked up at him. “Or is this an insane asylum? It is, isn’t it? You’re all orderlies, aren’t you?”

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“Not really.” Cedric chuckled this time, until another boom shook the…whatever kind of structure she was in. A large tremor caused her to lose her balance. She fell forward. Cedric caught her before she hit the floor again, pulling her into him and holding her. “You haven’t gotten your space legs yet. Can’t have you hurting yourself. Rurik would never forgive me.” “Space legs?” She looked up at the younger man from the middle of his chest. The pain in her head got stronger. “This is really a ship?” Cedric nodded. “And Rurik’s your commander?” The man nodded again. She squinted and stared into his face, ready to gauge his response to her next inquiry. “And this is really real?” She tentatively poked the fabric of his chest with the tips of her fingers. Sure as Hades, he felt real. Cedric nodded once more, a smirk similar to Rurik’s plastered on his face. “Alaric said you might have some trouble accepting the reality of your new environment. He thinks Rurik moved too fast with you.” “Alaric?” He nodded. “The healer.” The pain in her head throbbed. Tiredness overtook her, that and lack of food. “But this can’t be real. I have things to do with my life. And my children. They need me.” This dream was beginning to be more like a nightmare. “How old are your offspring?” She stared into his youthful face. His deep-sea blues gazed back at her. “Hunter is thirty-two. He’s in Iraq right now.” “Military?” She nodded. “Army.” Cedric smiled. “A warrior then.” “Yeah.” She quirked her lips, wondering why the man was so pleased. “And your other?” “My daughter Mercedes is twenty-six. She’s in graduate school. Studying oceanography.” Trista glanced up at him. “She would like you, I think.” A low rumble of laugher erupted from him. “If she smells like you I’m sure I would like her as well.” “Smells like me?” Trista wondered what that had to do with it. He smiled. “Svendians have a great sense of smell. You smell good and your personal scent is strong. I can understand why Rurik wants you.” “Oh.” Her voice sounded small. “I see.” The string of events, Rurik’s fucking, Cedric’s words—all were too much for her to take. Sudden exhaustion eked through every one of her muscles. None of this could be real and yet… 35

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She leaned against Cedric and rested her head on his chest. If she fell asleep again, would this be over? “I’m so tired.” She closed her eyes and remembered how hungry she had been before the earthquake. “Rurik was going to get me something to eat. I think…” They were the last words she remembered before she blacked out.

***** Rurik stared at his woman as she slept. Cedric had wisely taken her to sickbay and he’d told Rurik that the healer expected her to sleep for a while. Alaric ensured the fact by administering a sleeping ray to her so that she could recover in her weakened state. “I thought I told you to feed her.” Alaric strolled into the room, glaring. Rurik scowled. “I was getting her something when we were attacked.” “Humph. The attack didn’t happen until well after I was gone. She was stirring when I left.” “We got sidetracked.” “Sidetracked?” Alaric arched a black brow. “Is that what you call it?” Rurik grimaced. “Fine. We fucked first but I had ordered her a meal. The repast was sitting on the counter when I rushed out.” With a roguish and knowing glance, Alaric maneuvered a seat across from him on the other side of the bed and looked down on Trista. “I can’t blame you. Her sexual responses are very powerful. I could tell that when I restored her. And they peak when around you.” He looked at Rurik. “But if you don’t take care of her and get officially bonded with her soon, there are others who would gladly take your place.” “You wouldn’t happen to be one of them, would you?” The thought pissed Rurik off. Alaric huffed. “I wouldn’t mind coupling with her. She’s a vibrant female. But she’s your woman. I’d never cross you in this.” “Then who?” Alaric laughed. “So far, every unbonded male who has seen her. I can tell you, if Cedric didn’t respect you as much as he does, you would have a fight on your hands. He likes her.” “My cousin’s son?” Alaric nodded, obviously pleased that he’d taken Rurik off guard with the comment. With a chuckle, the healer reached down to check the instrument panel in the bed. “Other than a strong urge to mate with her, are you sure you don’t feel anything for this woman?” “Be clear, Alaric. I hate it when you speak of a subject for which you have already formed an answer.” Alaric let out a hearty laugh this time.

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Rurik shot him a look that would quell most men. Alaric knew him too well. His friend held his side in pain because he couldn’t stop snickering. “You laugh like an old woman,” Rurik chided. “Rurik,” Alaric chortled once more before he caught his breath, “you’ve been bedding this woman a long time. You’ve even been known to watch her for days without contact. I’ve seen you myself.” Rurik scowled. “I only watched her to see her interact with that man she took up with. You don’t know how hard that was on me, to see her with another, yet I couldn’t prevent it. Not when things were so uncertain in our world. Besides, she had no knowledge of my existence. I’m glad the bastard finally saw clear to leave.” Alaric huffed. “With some urging from an outside source I understand.” Rurik remembered. He had approached the man some time before. He’d grown tired of seeing his woman downtrodden from the emotional abuse, much less ridden by the beast. “It needed to be done. The man wasn’t true to her. When he didn’t care for her needs…” He shook his head. “I couldn’t accept the way he treated her.” “Then why didn’t you take her away then?” Rurik pondered that himself. Technically, he could have. By her scent, he knew she was his mate. He could have made the argument that nature had put them together. He could have kept her as a lover until he’d convinced the council. He shook his head. “I didn’t know if I could ever get the council’s approval. I didn’t think it fair to her to make her wait. Besides, she has a right to a peaceful life. We were at war. Her life would have been at risk. It’s only now that we have an uneasy truce.” He shrugged. “I didn’t want to leave her but it wasn’t right to interfere with her life and have her safety threatened. The attack that harmed her changed things. I needed to save her. Besides,” he stroked her face with the back of his fingers, “we have lost too many. We need to repopulate, and with our people’s limited ability to procreate we need to reach out to others. In her, the blood of our ancients flows. We are a related people to those on Earth. I think my father would have approved.” Rurik thought of the unwarranted attack on Ulrich the Bold by the Vulgarians. Bad enough they killed but during the attack they used an illegal weapon. The result tortured Ulrich and his crew without mercy. Reaching over Trista’s sleeping body, Alaric placed a hand on Rurik’s shoulder. “Your father wanted peace, Rurik. Your successes pushed the Vulgarians to achieve a peace deal. And those who were involved with your father’s death were punished at your hands.” “Not all of them.” Rurik growled. “There is Drakkar. And a few more who could not be identified.” “Rurik, Drakkar was not involved in the attack. The inquest by the Galactic Quorum that you asked for proved this.” “So you say but I don’t believe it. He’s a wily one. My uncle is convinced the massacre was by Drakkar’s command.” 37

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Alaric sighed and glanced at Trista. “You haven’t answered my question. Do you have feelings for this woman?” Rurik arched a brow. “Such as?” He wanted to drop the subject but knew his friend would not let the question go unanswered. Rurik stole every moment he could to delay his response. Alaric huffed. “Don’t be evasive with me. You know what I’m asking. Are you in love with this Earth woman who calls herself Trista?” Rurik paused and studied his sleeping mate, wondering how to answer his friend. Rurik had been a warrior all his life, lived and worked in the harshest of worlds, ones that fine-tuned his skill in battle. What did he know about love? “Of course I have feelings for her. She’s my mate. But love? I don’t know what love for another sex partner is. Besides, we hardly know each other.” “You know each other well enough. Bondings have been made on much less.” “This world is not like my parents’ or yours. Love is a luxury few of us can afford. It’s enough that I lust for her and her for me. I must take her. Fertile women are too hard to come by.” “As well as fertile men.” “Which begs the question, why you have not found a mate, my friend?” “Me?” The question threw Alaric off kilter, Rurik could tell. A rare event. Which made him think, what had Alaric been up to? For some time now, Alaric had kept his secrets. That fact, up to this point, had not bothered Rurik, but with the issue of his mate nearly settled he wondered what political intrigue Alaric had immersed himself in. At one time, they were closer than brothers. Nothing, not a woman or a secret, would have gotten between them. Now? The healer sputtered. “I will bond when I find the right woman. Unlike you, I believe in love.” Rurik chuckled. “We shall see about that. You have a responsibility as well as I to repopulate our world. You know this.” Alaric’s lips thinned. “You do not have to remind me. Your mother does enough of that quite frequently.” Rurik laughed. “Well, ever since you lost your parents, she’s taken you on as her own.” Alaric glared at him. “I do not need her as a mother. I am a grown, fertile man.” “With responsibilities,” Rurik reminded him, pleased with the opportunity to rib his friend back. Pausing, he studied Alaric, wondering how he would take his next question. “Would you mind being my second?” Alaric straightened so fast his entire body snapped. “In the bonding ceremony?” Rurik nodded. “You know I need four other men. If something happens to me, I want to make sure she has someone who will care properly for her. As my second, you 38

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would be her next mate unless she is too old at the time or you have bonded with someone else.” Alaric grumbled. “Nothing is going to happen to you. You’re too damn hardheaded.” Rurik studied him. “I pray not but one never knows. I want to be prepared and I want good men. You are the best man I know.” Alaric grimaced then stared at Trista for several moments. Taking a deep breath, he finally looked at Rurik. “I’ll do it. For you. Besides,” a sad grin swept his chiseled face, “it doesn’t look like I’ll be bonded anytime soon.” Rurik knew what he meant. Alaric had lost the one woman he’d desired to a renegade’s attack. Leaning forward, Rurik rested his elbows on his knees and folded his hands in front of him. “One down then. I need three more. Men I can trust.” “What about Cedric?” “He’s young.” “He’s fertile—as fertile as you, maybe more. He’d be honored.” Rurik knew there was no one, except perhaps Alaric, who was more loyal. Cedric was a good man. Rurik nodded. “Cedric then. I’ll ask him myself. I would appreciate your help deciding on the last two.” “I’ll think on it.” Alaric nodded. “Keep in mind you could have someone stand in for an unnamed fourth.” Alaric shrugged. “We could get your sister to do it.” “Jinn? She’s a warrior woman. She hates the idea of the bonding ceremony. It’s probably good that she can’t breed. Ever since she hit puberty, she’s rejected the life of a mate. Not that she doesn’t have an insatiable appetite.” Rurik huffed and scratched his balls, remembering the last brawl he broke up over her. The damage to his scrotum almost put him in sick bay. Alaric smiled back. “She does seem to keep many of the men vying over her attentions.” “Yeah.” Rurik huffed with disgust. “If she wasn’t such a cunning tracker, I’d have sent her home. Shatz, I can’t have the men fighting each other because she can’t be more discreet with her liaisons. I hated threatening her and restricting her sexual activities but we would have had a literal civil war otherwise.” Alaric snorted. “No, a clitoral civil war. Get it? Literal, clitoral…” Rurik glared again. His friend sighed. “Okay, never mind. I’m only glad you got things straightened out. I got sick of seeing Olav and Thordis every other day. Besides, with her sterility, her lack of sex with a corporeal man is not important. She can get what she needs from the computer.” Alaric raised his brows. “You didn’t happen to let Trista know this, did you?” “That she could conjure up a reasonably solid image of a fully sexually functioning man from the computer? Hell, no.” 39

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“Why not?” Rurik growled. “Because, dammit, I don’t want her thinking about another man. I’ve had enough of sharing her with someone else as it is.” “Mmmm.” Alaric struggled not to laugh. “Cursing over small matters, are we? Not an accepted practice by you or your family. Which leads me to believe…” “I’ll go talk to Cedric now.” Rurik stood, purposefully cutting Alaric off. He didn’t need any more lecturing on what his feelings were or even what they might be. And whatever he felt, he wanted to figure that out for himself. Biting off his grin, his friend nodded. “Good, because you need to get the men lined up. Rumor has it that the council’s approval will be forthcoming.” Rurik shook his head. “I’d like to know how you get this information.” Alaric’s lips thinned. “I told you not to ask. Trust me, okay?” Rurik nodded. Alaric’s inside source had kept Rurik out of serious political screwups so far. He stared at Trista’s sleeping form. “If she’s all right, then, I’ll take my leave and approach Cedric. These attacks are getting way too frequent. If something isn’t done soon, I’m afraid we’ll be in an all-out war with the Vulgarians again. I don’t know what the other tech-advanced societies will think about that, especially after the Galactic Quorum took such pains to broker the peace.” “I agree.” Alaric nodded then glanced at Trista. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.” The healer shot him a mocking glance. “I’ll feed her when she wakes. Do you have something for her to wear? Besides the bed covering, I mean.” Rurik wanted to punch his good friend in his sarcastic mouth. “I’ll log the attire on the computer.” Reaching over, he brushed Trista’s hair from her face, his concerns surfacing. “Do you think she’ll ever accept her new station?” Alaric snorted. “She’ll have every fertile woman in the advanced societies envying her. Why wouldn’t she?” Rurik scowled. “She has things she’s left. Her children for one. She spoke of them.” Alaric paused and studied Trista again then looked back at Rurik. “Have you ever thought that maybe you were the father of her offspring?” He eyed his friend cautiously. “Why would I think that? She’s my woman. As such, I took every precaution to protect her.” He swallowed as he caressed her cheek, hoping to calm the sense of unease he’d felt every time he’d left her. “She’s an Earther, a protected people. I hadn’t the council’s approval to mate with her much less bring her with me, and with the war, I would be far away. I couldn’t allow her to get pregnant. Like I told you, I was too worried about her safety much less any offspring I’d sire.” “And yet she remembered you. Technology isn’t perfect, you know. And if you had already impregnated her, the laser application would not have halted the developing fetus. In fact, the preventatives might have stopped working altogether. With our laws, the biotechnology is set up to protect a fetus. That could explain why she remembered you, why the memory replacement didn’t work.”

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Rurik straightened. “What are you saying?” Alaric shrugged. “Although they are grown, perhaps you should find these children. You never know. You could already be a sire. Besides, it seems her children are the one thing that will keep her from you. From what Cedric said, they appear unattached. The son is even a warrior, although by crude means. And if her daughter is also fertile, perhaps she could be added to our clan.” Elated with the thought, Rurik nodded, willing to take the risk. Bending over, he placed a kiss against her warm lips, praying she would soon accept him fully and the reality of her situation.

***** Jinn scanned the room once more. Someone had already been there. The question was, who? She walked to the shelf over the fireplace, ruminating over the crude heating methods the Earth people used. Lifting a frame, she stared at the picture within. An older woman with dark hair and striking green eyes stared back. “This must be my brother’s woman,” she mumbled. At the woman’s side stood a taller blonde girl, a teenager by the look of her, and on the other side an even taller, broadly built, lighthaired man. The man was younger than Rurik’s mate so this couldn’t have been the male her brother said she had taken up with. And his smile… “By the ancestors…” Her jaw dropped. She had focused so much on the woman’s image she hadn’t noticed at first. The smile on the boy’s face looked exactly like Rurik’s. Yet Rurik had told her he did not have spawn from her. Did her brother not know? Or did the commander not trust her with the information? She stared at the picture again and ran her thumb over the image of the man’s face. Did she have a nephew? Jinn scowled. If she did, she’d use the information to get back her rights as a warrior. With this information, she could either please or torture her brother. Then maybe he would lift the sanctions on her—especially the ones that restricted her sexual activities. “Bastard.” He had had no right to limit her warrior benefits, especially the carnal ones. Every good combatant needed some release. And she was one of the best. Hell, he’d even threatened to send her home. Her lips thinned in frustration. She was as good in a battle as any of them, and she had as much of a right and duty to avenge her father as Rurik did. The sanctions he imposed on her were such a crock of shatz. Stay away from the male of the species? Hell. She liked her men. Sneering, she studied the picture. “Well, this should at least prove interesting. If anything, I’ll get some needed entertainment.” She ground her teeth and broke the glass on a corner of the wooden shelf. Shaking out the shards, she pocketed the images and stepped out the back door to meld into the sylvan landscape.

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Using his telescopic visor, Drakkar watched the warrior woman walk onto the front porch and into the sunlight. Rurik’s sister. His sworn enemy’s blood. Sneering, he congratulated himself again for activating the crude warning systems he used on this planet. His exit had been well timed. She entered only moments after he bolted out the back door. Good thing because he was not ready to challenge Rurik’s guard, not yet. Crossing his arms, Drakkar leaned against a large ancient pine to study the lone soldier. Even at this distance he could smell her feminine scent, the musky odor mingling with the crispness of the woods. She pressed her earlobe. She must keep her comm unit there. He knew she contacted her ship but from this distance he couldn’t hear what she said, not without using a listening device that would alert her to his presence, which was why he never used the technology of the advanced races in this situation. He would be discovered by those he most wanted to avoid. Resting against the bark, he studied her form, the soft inner curve of her waist, the swell of her hips, the cleavage of her breasts. “Nice.” He let his mind wander to what he’d like to do with the female under other circumstances. Lately, he’d been too busy to join up with any woman for his release, and the neoskinned robots the computer generated didn’t give him the satisfaction of the real thing. Besides, something about this primitive forest stimulated his baser urges. Earth’s surface always did. Maybe because, even with their rampant pollution, the planet continued to teem with the kind of life only dreamed about in the rest of the galaxy. He snorted, thinking how he’d like to toss the girl into a bough of pine needles and have his way with her. It was only the two of them. She had been alone. Being in neutral territory, she probably felt as safe as he had. And she would have been wrong had he been willing to break the truce, except he wasn’t ready to move on Rurik, not yet. A breeze caressed his face, the musky scent of her cunt reached his nostrils. Carefully, he eased closer, using the stand of trees to cover him, curious about the female. Hiding behind a thick tree trunk, he watched her. He had never been this close to Rurik’s sister. Truth be told, he was not that close to her now. But the Vulgarian sense of smell was a strong one. Just like the Svendians. After all, both their people shared the same ancestors. Thankfully, he stood downwind, although a slight crossbreeze blew. The pungent scent thickened. The blood in his penis throbbed. His mind wandered, made him think of sex. He wondered if she would recognize him. He’d shaved off his beard since the truce was signed, mostly because he wanted the change. He wasn’t one to be rash but in this case… Her hand slipped downward. Her fingers skated across her chest, encircled her breast and squeezed. Thunderstruck, he cursed under his breath and stayed hidden, mesmerized by the scene. 42

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After glancing around, she tossed her blonde ponytail behind her. Pulling up her blouse, she fingered her nipples. “Hell.” Blood surged into his penis. Did the woods have a wanton effect on her as well? Looking up, she studied the sky, then in a nanobyte of time, her blouse came off, revealing her small but perky tits. Her nipples swelled, emphasizing the gooseflesh of the deep rose areolas that surrounded them. She grasped the tips and rolled them between her fingers. Her eyes closed. Her mouth parted. He could tell her breaths grew labored. “By the ancestors.” He grabbed his cock. Slipping her slacks to her knees, she plopped into a chair on the deck. As one hand continued to tug on her breast tip, the other reached for her sex. Her legs parted. He could see her woman’s genitalia through the visor, the little fleshy nub of her clit. A bit of her liquid essence seeped from her. He could smell it. As she pulled on the hood to her sex, she slumped in the chair. Her back arched and her head pressed into the plastic rungs of the seat. “Shatz,” he grumbled, and popped out his throbbing cock to stroke himself. She whimpered. Sitting straighter, she leaned her head forward to pull a breast toward her mouth. Not able to fully reach, her pink tongue darted out to fill the distance and lick the sweet, pointed nub. One. Two. Three laps with that wet tongue. She growled with frustration. Drakkar bit his lip to keep from snickering. He knew what she needed. Hell, he wanted to give it to her, fuck her deep and hard, but he couldn’t afford to be found. Besides, he liked watching her. He didn’t want her to stop. “Damn.” He heard her delicate voice curse. Sitting on the edge of the seat, the woman spread her legs and writhed against her palm. One hand rubbed the apex of the clit that peered from behind her short, trimmed pubic hair, the other tugged on the nipple again. Keep me sane. Drakkar’s dick thrummed with the pain of unfilled joining, his need to fuck escalating. He beat his hand faster. Her labia swelled. The hand at her breast left to join the other at her sex and parted the blood-filled lips. Grinding her hips, she slipped one finger inside. Drakkar felt pre-cum on his hand. Moaning with pleasure, she slipped another digit in, pumping herself, rubbing the length of her fingers against those soft, sweet folds Drakkar knew she must have. Allowing himself a low rumble, he came, his sperm spewing against the bark of the tree. He heard her cry aloud as her climax hit. “Crap.” Breathless himself, he dropped his forehead against the tree trunk, inhaling deeply to calm his rapid heart. Regaining some decorum, he eyed the wet tree. His cum 43

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had splattered all over it. Regrettable. The sperm could have been useful. After all, he was one of the most fertile men in the clan, but hell, he needed the release. Hearing her move, he looked up to keep an eye on her location. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession, her naked breasts stood erect as if welcoming the sun. She closed her eyes. The unrequited need glowed in her face. He knew how she felt. He still wanted to fuck her. And fuck her well. He stilled, debating his choices, knowing the head on his dick warred with the head on his shoulders. He wanted to go and take her. She needed a good screw. So did he. She stirred. Sighing, he knew he had waited too long. Besides, the thought was insane. She was the sister of his enemy. After a few moments, the woman pulled herself together and redressed in her blouse. Growling like a she-bear, the woman loped through the moist-smelling thicket, making a loop closer to him then circling away. Whatever his dick had thought, the opportunity had passed. Drakkar sniffed the air, taking a long draught of her essence, rationalizing that he needed to smell her to ensure he knew where she went. The scent of both masturbations mixed and hung like a thick fog. Drakkar shifted his stance to adjust himself, his cock hardening once again. “Shatz.” He stuffed his hard-on in his pants. Then smelled another scent in the air, one that was pure woman in heat. Curious. Was the woman capable of breeding? No. How could she be? The Svendians would never risk a fertile woman in a fight. Especially Rurik the Destroyer. The man killed for pleasure and never took a prisoner. He knew. The small town of his youth had not been spared Rurik’s wrath. He lost many a friend to its flames. His senses alert, Drakkar watched the woman jog deeper into the old forest. Enemy or not, fertile or not, he liked the way her ass swayed as she darted between the trees. There was something primitive, even basic about it. Something guttural he couldn’t claim. Another breeze gusted his way. Then it hit him. Her perfume latched onto him, the scent so thick he couldn’t deny it. Hell. He reached down to pinch his dick, hoping he could halt the blood flow this time. Damn if she wasn’t fertile. He could tell. Mine. By the ancestors. The ancient urge to mate clenched onto him. Fuck. Not her, please not her. The demand grew stronger. He gripped the rough bark of the tree in front of him, steeling himself. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he worked to overcome the powerful instinct not to follow and claim her, one of the things through their shared heritage that

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his people and the Svendians both possessed—the knowledge through woman’s scent that she belonged to him. Couldn’t be. He wouldn’t let it. To mate with his enemy? Fuck her, yes, but to bond with a known Svendian killer? What would his people think? With focused intent, he inhaled deeply again to retain her fragrance. He prayed he would never face her again, but he might have need of the reminder of her scent one day. And in remembering, he could protect himself. He couldn’t let himself falter again. Exhaling a ragged breath, then another, he allowed his ardor to cool. What need did he have with a mate like that? The woman was known to be ruthless in battle. Forget her. There would be others. Had not the past of the ancestors proved this? Besides, he had someone else in mind, someone softer, someone who was less inured by the fighting of their world. Growling, he forced himself to focus and pulled out the small book from his vest pocket that he’d gotten from the Earther woman’s house. Opening the pages, Drakkar slid his fingertip down each sheet until he found the right series of script. Mercedes Elise Jamison. The girl’s address was penciled underneath her name. With smug satisfaction, he pocketed the item, glad he could retrieve the information before Rurik’s people found the girl. Drakkar already had his people undercover and involved with the children and he didn’t want Rurik to find them, not yet, not until Drakkar was ready. He fingered the paper. Getting this highly classified information had been a stroke of luck. They had intercepted a wayward transmission from a Svendian council ship. Both offspring were important to his design to upend Rurik’s unmitigated assaults, but the daughter was the critical one of the two. He needed her for this to work. Glancing up, Drakkar glared in the direction of the woman Jinn. The last of her dodged from sight. His eyes narrowed. Thank the ancestors any urge to go after her had been pounded down by his steel will—and the reminder that his ship had recently been attacked by a cloaked ship. In Earth’s neutral territory no less. There had been no cause for that. Still, if Drakkar was going to convince the Galactic Quorum that Rurik had never intended to live in peace, he needed proof. And that, Drakkar was finding hard to come by. Oh yes, Rurik was a clever one. The murderer covered his tracks but Drakkar’s sources had confirmed the Destroyer’s hand in this incident. Sneering, Drakkar remembered the brawny commander from the negotiations, so willing to find peace. Then this. The wily son of a bitch. His enemy had caught the Vulgarian troops off guard, but Drakkar and his men had reacted in time. They suffered minimal damage. He ground his teeth. He should have known better than to trust the Svendians, especially Rurik.

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No matter. He’d taken the time to set his traps. He only needed a few more pieces to fall in place. With the information he’d been given, he could be patient. Cold anger burned in Drakkar but, as with everything he did, he kept it under his command, unleashing it only when its use could make him win. And he had to win. There was too much at stake. No, if Rurik, the high-born bastard, wanted a fight, Drakkar would give him one. Turning, he signaled his ship, telling them to gather the landing crew that had spread out to cover this place. Now that the Destroyer had accepted this woman, all those related to her were fair game. His people needed fertile women to repopulate their numbers as much as the Svendians did. He had his mission—and the mission always came first. He would take the woman-child. Then the son.

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Chapter Five After being debriefed by Captain Tema Nasgorov, Rurik shut down the comm. Tema’s ship, the Destiny, circled Earth’s orbit looking for clues to the attack. Although Rurik didn’t tell her why, he had ordered Nasgorov to have the crew find Trista’s children. Could they be his? He didn’t know but he wanted to take a cautious hand. Apparently Jinn had finally reported in. His sister had taken her sweet time. He was afraid to ask what she’d done to extend such an easy mission. Somehow he could see her stalking Earth’s male population to ease her overactive libido and stirring up trouble amongst the local populace. He sighed, wondering how he could get her under control. He didn’t like to be at odds with his only sibling. Besides, between the attacks, the council and Trista, he had enough dilemmas on his hands. Rurik rubbed his forehead, ruminating over the captain’s report. So far, they’d found nothing of any worth. No clue that could pinpoint Drakkar’s troops’ involvement to the council—or even to the Galactic Quorum. Just some emission traces from a Vulgarian ship. The quest on Earth fared no better. None of the teams found anything specific, and after searching Trista’s home, Jinn still came up clean. Apparently his sister raved over the small home in the restive woods—a small cabin in the midst of an aged stand of trees. He knew what the dwelling looked like, where it was. It was beautiful. A place where Trista took refuge after her departure from the man she’d lived with for a few Earth years. Rurik inhaled a slow, deep breath, wishing the impossible. He would’ve liked to have spent a lot more time there with her. Just the two of them. He could have wooed her properly then. Brought her around more slowly so that she would have accepted him without issue. He could have screwed her in every room that the two of them could fit, at every angle he could manage. His dick jumped thinking about it. The comm beeped, interrupting his thoughts. A light flashed on his private audio line. He waved his hand over the console. “Rurik.” “Hello, Bro.” Rurik grimaced. He hated when his sister used Earther slang. It meant she wanted something. “What is it, Jinn?” “I need to talk to you. Bring me back to your ship.” He winced, knowing before he said the words that she wouldn’t take it well. “No.”

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“You have to.” “I don’t. And you have a mission to do.” She growled like a cat. “Rurik, I checked your woman’s place.” “She likes to be called Trista.” He smirked, remembering how his woman had lectured him. “Really? Good for her.” Rurik knew one of the biggest issues Jinn had with the clan was over the status of women, how they seemed to lose their identity when they bonded. Good thing the girl was sterile. She wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure. “Look, Bro, I need to talk to you. Privately.” “If this is about getting your full rights back, forget it. I don’t have time for your antics now. All I need is another fight on my hands at the wrong time.” “Grrr, it isn’t about that. It’s about what I found. Have you ever seen her children?” He paused, knowing he’d paid way too little attention to them. There was a war going on and he was there for one purpose. How could he know they might be his? Guilt nagged at him. Whether they were his or not, they were Trista’s. And whatever these strange urges were that he felt around her, he knew he cared enough about her to be concerned about any offspring she might have. “Rurik?” He huffed. “Only from a distance but they’ve never laid an eye on me. Why?” “Because, well…” Her voice trailed off. “Oh damn. Let me send you an image.” Her voice faded. He heard her order a scan from the computer. “Check this out.” An image of Trista and two others who stood alongside her popped up on the three-dimensional laser. “The other two are Trista’s offspring.” When Rurik peeled his eyes off his mate, he stared at the others. The girl-child had blonde hair and pale, greenish blue eyes. She stood a bit taller than Trista but her face was almost her mother’s, only a lighter version. She was beautiful. The male-child. Rurik inhaled sharply when he took a closer look at him. The boy had his face, almost an exact duplicate of him when he’d been a teen. “By the ancestors,” he muttered. “Yep.” Rurik cringed at the self-satisfied way Jinn stated that one word. “Now.” The joy in her voice made him want to puke. “About those restricted rights of mine.” “Find the children,” Rurik snarled. “When you do, we’ll talk.” He slapped the comm to turn it off. Tossing his head back, he stared at the ceiling. “Fuck.” The comm beeped again. With a jerk of his hand, he activated it. “Now what?” he barked. “Your woman should be awake soon,” Alaric mocked. “Having a bad day?” 48

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Rurik only rumbled his reply. “On my way.” Marching from his quarters, he wondered what else would go wrong.

***** Jinn hadn’t had the time to tell Rurik that someone had beaten her to his woman’s place but no matter. She shrugged, knowing that there was nothing to be done about it. Spouting a few fast orders to the computer, she leaned away from the console. For once she let the smug look of satisfaction show on her face. She’d won the first battle in the war to regain her rights. Stretching her arms over her head, she arched her back then put her hands behind her neck and pressed her elbows outward. The act caused her breasts to tip upward and her nipples to rub against the Maloran fabric of her uniform. “Mmmm.” Her nipples still tingled and her muff still thrummed from the stroking she’d given herself earlier. She didn’t mean for it to happen, masturbating like that right in the open, yet when she stood on the deck, the intense sexual force hit her from out of nowhere. The driving need to be fucked. She rubbed her nipple through the cloth then tugged on it. She loved Earth. The smells. The rawness. The wildness of the life. There was something about that which stimulated her. Jinn grimaced. On previous jaunts she could always control her ardor. This afternoon she’d lost herself in the warmth of the sun, the cool smell of the soil, the fresh scent of the leaves on the wind—the musky odor of some male in heat. It was the last that had hit her, obliterating her strict discipline and releasing her raging hormones. She almost went to look for him. Almost. Her mission kept her focused. If it hadn’t been for that, she would have found the man and fucked him good, and said to hell with the restrictions her brother had put on her. She needed sex. She grimaced, knowing she would never consciously out-and-out disobey an order. It wasn’t in her nature. Besides, she didn’t want Rurik sending her home. Blast, she wanted to get laid, needed the touch of a man against her. Thinking about it only made her wet. “Shatz.” She gritted her teeth. She had to keep things in perspective. Before her restrictions, her libido had always been well satisfied, which most certainly helped her level of control. Now she had to face facts. With Earth’s lust for life, the globe was the last place a breeding female should go when she hadn’t been satisfied, although at the moment, she didn’t have much choice. Hell. She remembered the Earth man’s scent. Even now, it stirred her. “God’s teeth, I must be needier than I thought.” She squeezed her legs together and rubbed her clit against the firmer fabric of her pants. Lifting her blouse, she tugged her nipple harder. Her breaths came faster. Wetness gathered in her crotch. Reaching into her pants, she stroked herself, trying to think, needing to protect her fertility from discovery. She had

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to be careful. No one knew she was a breeder. She didn’t want anyone to know. To live a life like that would be hell, especially after having grown used to the freedoms and benefits of a warrior. She slid a finger into her moist canal, pumped the digit with enough pressure to pleasure the sensual points inside. She groaned with her mini-release, wondering what the male who ignited such passion looked like. She could only imagine. Squeezing her inner muscles against the substitute rod, she slid her finger out, wishing it was the man’s penis she milked—and yet grateful it wasn’t. She didn’t really want to cause problems. And as fertile as most Earth males were, she didn’t want to be impregnated. Not yet. She wasn’t ready for that and wasn’t sure if she ever would be. She closed her eyes and exhaled, thankful for the primitive Earth methods she utilized that kept anyone from knowing she was fertile. Modern technology. Right. The tech-advanced races had nothing to trace the routine infusion she’d perfected for her body, one which she was due to take any day now. Satisfied with herself yet still needy, she sat up and straightened her clothes as she looked at a map of Earth on the screen. Oh yeah. She loved the planet and wanted to stay as much as possible. The water-filled globe was the one place she could be herself without worry, yet she grew concerned. If she didn’t get laid soon, one of the men might be able to detect her reproduction capabilities from her scent. That would be disastrous to her life plans. Course, she could start taking the infusion earlier, using a shorter time span, but that would use up her precious supply. The computer beeped, ending her reflection. If she was going to get anywhere with her bid to reinstate her sex benefits then she needed to find those kids. The screen flashed the information to her, highlighting the globe she’d been looking at, telling her the general location where the boy could be found. “He’s in a mountain desert?” She pulled the area up to get more detail. The peoples on Earth were battling again. She had been told the boy was a soldier. That fact, besides him being a grown man, would make his abduction more difficult. She studied the area in earnest. She didn’t like what she saw. The rocky expanse looked fairly remote yet anyone could be hiding in the crags—even the Vulgarians. “Great. And he’ll be in the midst of a fight, if he’s anything like his father. I hope we don’t get jumped before we can get him out.” She touched the console screen, sending a signal to the small crew she led then logged her excursion with the computer and proceeded to the dock for the teleporter. She rubbed the emblem of rank on her chest. At least she retained her crew leader status. And with that status came privileges—ones she wanted back.

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***** Trista’s eyes fluttered open. Lifting her head, she glanced around the room. “Oh, not again.” She lay in the medical room. She recognized the lit walls but at least this time she wasn’t in a tube. She slid her hand down her breast and touched some of the silkiest fabric ever. Hey! This time she had herself wearing clothes. “That’s got to be some kind of progress.” Maybe her consciousness had returned, or at least was coming back? Maybe this was a hospital room? Pulling herself up on her elbows, she looked down at her new attire. Then again, maybe not. The glittery, sheer turquoise cloth only posed as a drape over two ornate gold shields that covered her breasts. They were like two burnished sunbursts shooting out from her nipples, covering a large part of her mounds. Metallic-like but flexible, they gave her bosom some great support. She could tell. And without pinching. A real plus. “Hey, I kinda like these.” She sat up and hefted one globe in her hand then squeezed. “You can hardly feel them and yet my breasts feel so perky.” She glanced down at her trunk. “And look at the bottoms.” The fabric molded against her body. At the sides of her waist, the color grew more dense and opaque. The effect created a vee that exposed her navel and pointed downward toward her pussy. Then, at the point where the cloth met her hips, the material thickened enough that, even as close as she was, she couldn’t see through the skirt. She rubbed her legs together. “Oooh, and no underwear.” She was totally naked underneath yet the drape of the thicker cloth kept her private parts hidden. Knowing that made her clit tingle, made her think that the covering acted like a secret invitation for hot sex. The image of Rurik’s naked body popped into her mind. In an outfit like this, she couldn’t help but cream at the thought of him ravishing her at a moment’s notice. She swallowed and tried not to imagine the carnal act. Too distracting. Right now it was more important for her to get her head together. She looked at the rest of her, trying to focus on what she dreamed now. The denser fabric fell all the way to her ankles. “Wow, I look like a belly dancer.” She held up her arms and wiggled them snakelike. The gossamer fabric hugged her biceps but flared at the elbow. And the hems of both the sleeves and skirt were sewn with the same metallic material as her breasts. “Now all I need are those little cymbals and some jewelry.” A portal slid open and the doctor they called Alaric came in wearing the same strange uniform she’d seen him in before. He beamed when he looked at her. “How do you feel?” “Other than a small headache and some severe hallucinations, fine.” He pulled a seat up to the side of the odd bed she lay on. “You’re not having hallucinations.”

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She raised a brow, measuring her words and drawing out her response, to be sure she made herself clear—at least, to herself. “Riiiight. Which is why I’m currently hurtling through deep space in some strange time-continuum thingy talking to an alien.” He sputtered then pressed his lips together, the corners of his full mouth curling upward, highlighting his dimples. Trista got the distinct impression that he tried not to laugh but the attempt proved fruitless. He burst out in less than a second, his deep rich voice echoing against the walls. She crossed her arms. “Look, I know I must be in some home for the insane but are you real? I mean,” she hesitated then poked his chest a few times for good measure, “you are made of blood and bone and corpuscles and everything, aren’t you?” Somehow he was able to nod. Trista wasn’t sure how he managed the gesture since he was shaking so much with hilarity. “So maybe these weird visions are drug-induced? If that’s the case, then stop pumping me with whatever narcotic you have me on. I’d like to get my brain back. I’m really starting to miss it, you know. Although I must say, some of the side effects so far have been damn tasty.” She quivered with lust just thinking of Rurik penetrating her. Alaric laughed so hard he coughed. “Are you all right?” She slapped him a few times on his very firm, very fit back. He cleared his throat and pulled her arm away. “Yes, I’m fine. Now…” He held her hand between both of his and pointed the look in his baby blues straight into her pupils. “Trista, may I call you by that name?” “Of course. I mean, you are a doctor, and geez, I certainly wouldn’t want to be called Missus Jamison, you know. After all, I am divorced.” “Of course.” With a hint of the smile remaining, he released her and sat a little straighter. “You are not in a time continuum.” She hadn’t realized she’d held her breath. She hissed when she released it and closed her eyes as a wave of relief flooded over her. “Thank God. So these are simply drug-induced visions.” She lay back down and draped her arm over her forehead. “Good, then when the narcotics wear off, I’ll be back in Oregon—somewhere.” Lifting her arm, she looked at him. “What hospital am I in anyway?” Sighing, he took her hand again then held her fingers firmly between his palms. “You’re not in Oregon.” “I’m not? Wow. I was so bad they had to fly me to another state? Then where am I?” One of the portals slid open. Rurik the Conqueror stood in the frame. His body filled most of the doorway. “You’re on my ship, woman. The Punisher. You must come to accept this.” “Not again.” A warm light penetrated her and then wooziness overcame her. With that, her world went dark.

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“Damnation.” Alaric bolted up, sending the chair flying across the floor. “I told you not to shock her anymore. I was trying to bring her around slowly.” “I don’t have a choice. The council decision came in.” “And?” Alaric folded his arms together and stood toe-to-toe in front of him. Rurik scowled. “A ship is coming to deliver the news.” “They couldn’t just tell you?” “No.” Alaric ran a hand through his dark hair and paced. “Well, that doesn’t sound good.” He stopped and glared at Rurik. “That doesn’t excuse your actions. I programmed the laser to make her sleep when she got too upset or confused. Now she’s out again.” Rurik gritted his teeth. “Then wake her up. I’ve got to ask her how to contact the children. This could be important.” “I was going to do that until you barged in and acted like an ass.” “Fuck, Alaric, I don’t have time. I need to make her understand.” “Not like that, you aren’t. I don’t want any permanent emotional or mental scarring. And I swear,” he stepped in front of Rurik and shoved his pointed index finger at the underside of his chin, “if you don’t take better care of her, I will have her taken away from you. She doesn’t deserve this.” His best friend’s defense put Rurik on edge. “I’m trying to take care of her but I can’t do that if I can’t keep her. If whoever they’re sending with the news thinks she doesn’t understand what she’s committed to, you know they’ll stop this.” “You’re thinking with your dick,” Alaric growled. “Try using that strategic mind of yours instead.” Rurik inhaled to steady himself and gazed at Trista’s sleeping form. He couldn’t lose her, not again. Pressing his lips together, he studied Alaric. “What do you want me to do?” Alaric relaxed his aggressive stance. “Leave her alone. Right now you’re too homed in to her as a mate. You’re obsessed with the idea of coupling. You’re not thinking reasonably. I’ll wake her and talk to her.” Obsessed? With Trista so close, having her was all he could think about. He’d waited, been patient for too long. Damn right he was obsessed. Rurik took a deep breath and released it slowly. He didn’t want to leave Trista’s side but he didn’t want to fight either. “Are you certain you can get her to understand?” Alaric huffed. “After everything she’s been through? She hasn’t had enough time to cope. I only hope I can minimize the damage you’ve caused.” He paused, eyeing his patient. Rurik knew his friend was thinking this through. Finally Alaric turned back to him. “Look, with whoever they’re sending, we can keep their contact short. For medical

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reasons. She recently had a full-body restoration and she’s been yanked from her natural environs. Besides that, her mind and body are still adapting to space travel. The reasoning will make sense. Then all the representative needs to hear is that she agrees to the union and the rep and the council ship can be on their way.” “I hope you’re right.” Alaric put his hand on Rurik’s shoulder. “I’ll work on her. Don’t worry. Right now you have other things to do. Like protect this ship and everyone in it, including Trista. Then find Trista’s offspring.” “I have Jinn on it. She’ll recover the children.” Alaric nodded. “She’s tenacious. I’m sure she’ll find them.” “You don’t know the half of it.” Rurik ran a hand through his hair, trying to ease his mind. “She giving you a hard time?” Rurik stopped and stared at his friend. “When hasn’t she?” Alaric snickered. “She likes her sex. She won’t let up until you let her roam freely through the male populace again.” Rurik growled. “If she finds the children, I’ll think about it.” He glanced at Trista once again. Whenever she was nearby, he couldn’t stop looking at her. Perhaps Alaric was right. “Fine, I give up. Take care of Trista. You’re right. I have other concerns I need to address, the least of them the council rep they’re sending. I swear the attacks are Drakkar’s doing but until I can prove it—” “You’re stuck with the truce,” Alaric finished for him. “Exactly.” The Vulgarian ship that had attacked had the latest model cloaking device, one their best indicators couldn’t detect until the ship was within firing range. “I’d like to know where the enemy is getting this stuff. With their war debts, I didn’t think the Vulgarians could afford them. We certainly can’t. Our treasury is seriously depleted.” Alaric nodded, the dread Rurik felt reflected in his gaze. “I know what you mean. And the fact that we don’t know when they’ll hit again makes you finding them more imperative. Doesn’t the council understand that?” Rurik nodded. “Yes. I explained it but they believe the issue is some small misunderstanding with the Vulgarian ship and insisted on sending a representative. Apparently my mating is more important than whether or not we have dead and wounded.” Alaric shook his head. “Your uncle is a stubborn one.” Rurik grumbled. “I know it. I’d like to find out who’s financing Drakkar. Maybe I can convince the council rep to focus on that instead.” “Good thought,” Alaric smirked. “If you can keep your mind off screwing your lady here.”

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Rurik glowered. That was almost impossible but he had to for the sake of the ship. He looked at Trista and shook his head, amazed at the priorities the council adopted. Yes, she was an Earther, but hell, the galaxy was falling apart and they worried about with whom he bonded? He looked at Trista once more, wishing he could have made things different for her. Not one to waste time, he turned to exit. “Well, there’s one positive thing that’s come from this.” “And what’s that?” Derision laced Alaric’s voice. Rurik stopped in the portal and cast a glance at his friend. “Once again you’ve been shown to be correct.” Alaric shot him a quizzical glare. “About?” Rurik chuckled. “Looks like you were right about the children and their Svendian roots, at least the boy. The handsome chap looks a hell of a lot like his father.” Rurik walked off, leaving Alaric gaping. With the realization that he had sired, a new feeling grew in Rurik’s chest. “A boy. By the ancestors.” He shook his head, hoping the man the boy had become would have an easier time accepting him than did his mother.

***** Even with their advanced technology, finding an unknown in this high desert was difficult, but finally their scouring had paid off. Jinn stared at the raging battle through her visor, watched as the boy and the others in his small group advanced, her nephew downing one of his enemy combatants. “In the middle of a fight. I guessed that one right,” she mumbled. Yet the tense activity was exactly what they needed. She pointed to two of her teammates. “Keep him alive. We’ll use the commotion as a cover for when we transport him to the ship.” The rest of their orders had been well-briefed. They would isolate the boy, use a small explosion to make it look as if the man had been blown apart then leave a few traces of fake body parts lying around. With Earth’s technology level, they would test out as real. No one from this world would know. Jinn glanced through the visor again, watching her team progress. One of the men with her nephew fired a shot with an ancient’s rifle then turned. She recognized the soldier, someone she had fought before. Shatz. “Vulgarian camouflaged near the target. Look out,” she warned her teammates and aimed her laser. Thank the ancestors her group was cloaked. She was able to stun the man before another near him cloaked, taking the unconscious man with him, right in front of her nephew and two of his Earth buddies. The effect froze the three soldiers for a split moment. Then they scrambled. Shots fired around them. She saw her nephew flinch in pain before the three men dodged behind a crevice in the rocks. “Take out their enemies,” she ordered the team. “I’ll get the boy.” She ran after him.

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Even cloaked, she had to avoid the rifle fire. Her personal power shield was nearly drained from the long search. The invisible cover would only hold back one or two more hits. She hurried to the crag the men regrouped in, heard the volley of the antiquated rifles. She scrambled over the rocky edge to the rear of them. “Hurry up, Joe. We gotta move,” one of the soldiers standing at the edge of the group of rocks commanded. Another of them checked her nephew’s shoulder. Panic laced his voice. “I’d like to know what the hell that was.” “It’s only a flesh wound,” she heard the boy say as he yanked his arm away. “Let’s get out of here.” “Move out.” The one taking guard stepped back. She stunned him first. He fell slowly, the look of surprise ingrained in his face. “Shit.” Her nephew readied his weapon and ran to the edge of the rock. Lying flat against the surface, he scanned the ridge where his enemies hid. The other man ducked behind another rock and hoisted his rifle, releasing a few shots in their adversaries’ direction. Jinn fired again, stunning the last man. Her nephew spun in her direction and fired. The bullet chinked against her shield and fell. She felt the impact, harder than she should. Wincing, she materialized. “Hello, Hunter.” His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “What?” She scowled. “You know it isn’t nice to shoot your aunt.” Before he could react, she stunned him. He fell with his blue eyes open, the same eyes she’d seen so many times before. Satisfied, she brushed away the short blond lock that had fallen over his face. “Battle number two, my favor.” She released a low chuckle. “Oh yeah, my brother’s going to love you.” Pressing her comm unit, she signaled the rest of the team. In moments, they set up the crash site, Hunter’s “final” Earth resting place, and they were off, boy in tow.

***** Alaric ran a hand over the bonding circlets he had boxed. A sadness filled him. At one time, he had prepared these for his impending joining but that had never materialized. Now he hoped to use them for another purpose. Sliding them back into the storage compartment, he gazed at Trista’s sleeping form, conflicted about how to get her to realize she wasn’t in a dream and confused as to

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whether it would be better if, until the council representative left, she was allowed to believe this wasn’t real. Pressing a few buttons on the side panel to the bed, he gauged the light emission that would cause her to wake, and sat down. He now knew that an old type of formal ceremony would be demanded from the council, something that hadn’t been done in…well, he didn’t know how long. Long before he or his grandsires would have known. Why the ceremony remained on the books was a mystery. The rite was barbaric. He wondered how much the ritual would traumatize Rurik’s mate. Making an arch with his fingers, he considered his options. Should he convince her she wasn’t not dreaming? Or simply let her think she still fantasized? And if he did, should he tell her about the ritual? He was sure Rurik hadn’t told her all that would be required of her as a bonded woman, otherwise the enormity of everything that had occurred might have actually jarred her mind into believing this reality. Her eyes fluttered open. She moaned, a bit groggy. Lifting her arm, she covered her eyes. “Hello, Trista.” He took her hand and pulled the arm off her eyes. She stared at him. “Am I still dreaming?” He sighed, not willing to lie outright to her. “What do you think?” She blinked then stared at him a moment. “I have no idea.” Trista eased herself up on her side. “I’m beginning to think this is real.” Alaric flinched. “Really?” She nodded. “Well, look how long I’ve been in this fantasy. But how could it be? I mean, really,” she waved her hand around to indicate her strange surroundings, “look at this stuff. A spaceship? Can’t be. I’m obviously in a hospital. My kids are probably wondering where I am. Well, at least Mercedes. There’s no way I can get a hold of Hunter. He’s in the army, you know. The Middle East somewhere.” She grimaced. She worried incessantly about her son. “I’m sure he’s fine.” Alaric patted her hand. “If he wasn’t, you would have heard something.” “True.” She gazed at him. “What about your daughter?” “Mercedes? She’s fine. She calls as often as she can. She would want to know that I’m in a hospital.” The healer’s eyes glittered. “I’ll see what I can do to locate her.” “Mmmm.” She eyed the medical man. “Okay, like I said before, I miss my mind, so I figure the best way to get it back is to talk to you—fantasy or not—especially since you seem to be the only one who’s rational. So you’re the doctor in my dreams, right?”

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His eyes narrowed a moment and he nodded. “Right.” “So, if that’s the case then I’m guessing you’re the only one who can tell me why I’m thinking about this stuff. I mean, Rurik the Conqueror? Get real. How corny can you get?” Alaric smirked and lifted a black brow. “Since he’s been a captain, he has never lost a battle. The man’s a military genius.” “Really?” She laughed. “Okay, so why would I want to ‘bond’ with a military genius? And what is bonding anyway?” Alaric lifted a corner of his rich lips. “I can see Rurik is going to enjoy his life with you, should this ever play out.” His voice grew quieter near the end of his comment. “Play out?” Alaric cleared his throat. “Never mind. Let’s start with the first. Bonding is the Earth form of marriage. It’s fairly permanent. However, because we have, ah,” he looked away a moment, “issues in our society regarding…er…things, if something happens to the male you’ve bonded with, then there are four other men at the ceremony who, in succession, will take the husband’s place should anything happen to him.” “You mean if the husband dies.” “Yes. Or becomes unable to, er, complete his duties as a mate.” “Really? Okay, so what happens if I divorce him? I mean, maybe this is my way of handling the pain of failure in my marriage.” Alaric’s brows knitted. “Doubtful. This doesn’t have anything to do with your first marriage.” “Hmmm.” She thought on that and decided he was right. Rurik wasn’t anything like Seth. What was her brain trying to work out? “So, there are four other men at this ceremony.” “Yes.” “Do I marry all of them?” “No. Only one at a time. However, all the men must agree to the possibility of bonding with you. If something happens to the second, then you go to the third, and so forth. And if any one of them bonds as the first male in another ceremony then he falls out of the rotation, unless his woman dies. It’s set up that way to protect you.” “Protect me? From what?” “Mmm, things. It’s to make sure you’re, well,” he shrugged, “taken care of.” “As if I can’t take care of myself. What a sexist crock. Why would I think that? What am I afraid of? Ouch.” She rubbed her head, the small pain in it growing stronger. “Damn, does that setup sound medieval or what?” “I…wouldn’t know.” The healer stumbled over the words. “But if you’re worried about being a productive member of the society, don’t. You will be more than productive. I guarantee it.”

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She cocked a brow. “Oh yeah? And what else?” Alaric shrugged. “What else is there?” She grimaced. “What do I get to do for a living?” The healer stumbled over some nonsensical words and for a moment appeared at a loss as to what to tell her. “Well, you’ll be a part of an old family, one that carries a lot of clout in our society.” “Fine, but what do I get to do? You know, as in a career.” Alaric opened his mouth then closed it and peered at her as if in thought. “It’s your dream. What do you think?” She sat up and put her finger in the air to confirm that fact. “Yeah, you’re right. Ha.” She paused. “I need to think this through.” She tucked one hand under her elbow and tapped her lips with a finger from the other. “You know, I need to empower myself more. I’ve been down on myself for awhile. Mostly from that shitty marriage of mine.” She pursed her lips in thought then let her hands drop to her lap. “Yeah,” she nodded, “that must be why I’m dreaming this. I’ve let myself be downtrodden for too long. Putting myself in this unusual situation lets me see that and lets me know I can change and adapt. That must be it. Humph. Well, okay,” she glanced at Alaric, “then I know what I need to do. I need to change the way I’ve thought about myself. Besides, I like the woman I’ve become.” She ran her palms down her breasts and examined her body. “I’ll use that to go out and do something useful. Yep.” She knew she spoke to herself but she looked at Alaric anyway. “I’ll change my world.” “You will, trust me,” Alaric mumbled as he rested his elbows on his knees. Yeah this was a fantasy, but something about it freed her, made her take control of her own life for once. “Tell me more about this bonding ceremony. Of course, you’ll be there.” Alaric snickered. “Of course. I’ll be the second man.” “You mean after Rurik.” “Yes.” “How was that decided?” “Rurik makes those decisions.” “I don’t get a say?” Alaric shrugged. “You can discuss it with him but he makes the final choice.” “Pfff, well that control shit has got to go. I make my own decisions now.” Alaric sputtered then smiled at her. “Do you have a problem with me?” She glanced him over. “Oh no, not at all. In fact, you seem much more laid back, which I appreciate.” “Good.” A corner of Alaric’s mouth rose. “But there’s three more that Rurik’s decided on, right?” He nodded. 59

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She scratched her neck, curious about why she would want five men to “bond” with, but she was going to go with the strange idea. In this moment, she thrived in this new realm of self-discovery. And she really wanted to find out more about herself. “That boy, Cedric.” She folded an arm under her breasts and lay a finger aside her face. “Is he one of them?” “Yes,” Alaric said. “He’ll be the third man.” “Hmm, why would I think of a boy? ‘Course, he’s very cute.” She spoke to herself but Alaric answered. “Maybe it is because you know you’ve been restored to about his age, maybe a little older. And that you know you’ll live to about a thousand of your Earth years.” “Really?” She cocked her head. “I didn’t know that but I’m glad I made it up. So how old am I now, in your years anyway?” Alaric bit the inside of his cheek, she could tell. “About three hundred and thirty three as you would know them.” “Noooo.” She glanced at her hands and then her body and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. My skin is so much smoother. Cool.” She lifted her arms in the air, staring at the cloth that hung from them, then pressed her palms to her breasts. “Interesting threads. So what’s the reason I came up with these?” She tugged at her clothes. The healer squeezed his eyes shut as if in pain then opened them to look at her and sighed. “Because they’re comfortable?” “And seductive. I mean I’m totally naked underneath. No lingerie at all.” She waggled her eyebrows. “You know, honestly, there’s a secret part of me that gets turned on with that. Gosh, I must want to seduce all of you. Maybe at the same time.” The healer blushed and mumbled, “You might get your wish.” Trista hadn’t expected that. She laughed. “Never thought I was that kinky but okay.” She shrugged. “You know, even this sheer overlay exposes a lot. It’s funny. I never even used to wear a bikini, although Mercedes wanted me to. I couldn’t handle it. But now? Here I’ve visualized myself in all kinds of alluring garb.” “Maybe you are trying to release a part of yourself that you’ve caged for too long.” Alaric scratched his nose, using his hand to cover his grin. “Hmmm, makes sense.” Trista could tell he enjoyed this, which made her happy. She liked this guy. “So why am I going for some guy like Rurik when I could have you?” He about choked. She went to slap his back but he stopped her. “Maybe you’re in love with him.” That took her for a turn. Was she really in love with him? She had always imagined herself so. She grimaced. “He seems rather arrogant. And demanding. I mean, anyone calling themselves ‘The Conqueror’.” She flexed the index and middle fingers on each hand a few times to show air quotations marks, just to be funny. “I don’t know if I

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appreciate that. I’ve been getting used to running my own life, thank you. Although I have to say, that man is outstanding in bed. I’ve never had the like.” This time the healer broke out in peals of laughter. Trista bent her knees and cradled them to her chest. Before she could query him again, the portal slid open. Rurik, her conqueror, marched in, a look of urgency written on his face. “Thank the ancestors you’re awake.” Alaric stood and positioned himself between her and Rurik. “The council?” Rurik pressed his lips together and nodded. “The ship has docked and the representative is on the way here.” He stood with his back to the door. Trista leaned forward so she could look around Alaric and see both men. “Who did they send?” The healer had barely gotten the question out when the portal slid open. Alaric’s jaw dropped and he plopped a hand on Rurik’s shoulder as if in part to warn Rurik and in part to support himself. Rurik’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. Leaning farther forward, she see could see around Rurik’s large frame. Trista stared with curiosity. A slender woman stood in the doorway. Long, dark, curling hair flowed over her shoulders. She was dressed something like Trista except her purple outfit revealed even more. The lady’s shift didn’t thicken at the waist like Trista’s. Instead, the sheerness went all the way to her ankles. The fabric highlighted her breast shields and the golden girdle that hugged her sculpted waist like a high-cut thong. The stunning lady looked older than the men but younger than Trista’s age—well at least at her real age of fifty. Yet this woman glowed with health and vitality, her trim figure firm and muscular. As sexy as the woman looked, she could have seduced any man. Even Rurik. Something about that made Trista jealous. The woman glanced at the two men, scanning them from head to toe, then pointed her bluish-purple gaze at Trista and smiled. Rurik sighed and closed his eyes for a brief moment then spun and gazed at the woman. If Trista hadn’t known better, she would have thought her conqueror worried. Trista’s fantasy lover swallowed before he and Alaric bowed their heads in deference to the lady. Then the men straightened and Rurik looked deadpan at the woman. “Greetings, Mother.”

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Chapter Six “Mother?” Trista studied Rurik. “You mean to say this is your mother?” Rurik grasped Trista’s hand and squeezed her fingers as if to comfort her. Little good it did. Her shock didn’t come from the fact the lady was his mom, it came from the fact that his mother was some sex goddess. Now what would Trista do? And why did she visualize her lover’s mother? She laid the finger of her free hand against her cheek. Very weird. “Greetings, Rurik.” With perfect poise, the woman stepped into the room and went to her son. He bent over and she kissed him on the cheek as any good mother would. It didn’t help to ease Trista’s fears that the woman’s voice dripped with blatant sensuality and obvious breeding. If anything, the woman had class. “Alaric.” With an air of dignity, she nodded to the healer and smiled. A light danced in her eyes as she held her hand to him. Expressionless, Alaric nodded once more. “Andromeda.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. Trista wondered at that. So far, she’d never seen the doc so formal and yet so distant. Not his usual affable self. “Well…” The woman turned to her. “Trista, is it?” With the woman’s strange yet beautiful and penetrating gaze directed to her, Trista didn’t know what to say. If this fantasy was to be believed, what did one say to a woman of high social status whose son you’d actually just met but had fucked really well several times over the years, and yet didn’t have a clue as to what kind of man he was? “Hi.” Feeling goofy, she lifted her free hand and waved like a child. The woman’s smile deepened. “I’m glad my son has finally claimed you. Now perhaps we can get the bonding ritual completed and you both can get on with your lives.” She looked askance at her son. Rurik cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose the council sent another as their representative?” She huffed in the most petite way then took an authoritative tone. “No. Rurik, I’ll tell you true. I am here to officiate. I want to get this done. I’m tired of arguing with your uncle about your trips to untamed planets. You know how elitist he is. You’re lucky I was able to get this through.” Rurik’s grasp eased. “So we will be allowed to bond?” She chuckled softly. “Of course. Why else would I be here? Besides, I had to meet my future daughter.” She lifted her hand and brushed Trista’s cheek with the back of her finger. Her milky skin was the softest Trista had ever felt. 62

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“How did you manage to get the council to approve it?” Rurik’s voice held a hint of concern. Andromeda glanced at her son. “I took the advantage while Craddock sat at the negotiating table with the Vulgarians, arguing about this latest attack. The Vulgarians are insisting they were hit first—” “A lie,” Rurik interrupted. Andromeda shrugged her delicate shoulders. “Your uncle was furious over the approval but I couldn’t care less. The man’s a menace. This should have been settled long ago. There is one problem though.” She squished the patrician features of her face together. “You are to use the ancient rites.” “What?” Rurik stood flabbergasted. Trista didn’t like the surprise she saw on his face. “I…” Rurik’s mother cast a sidelong glance at Trista. “I couldn’t change that, not and get the full council’s approval, especially after your uncle’s interference.” “Then I’ll ignore it. We can have the ceremony like everyone else,” Rurik growled. “No you won’t,” Andromeda ordered. “We’re from an old family and you are a commander. Someday you might actually lead our people. You have responsibilities to those who rely on you to do whatever you can not to jeopardize this. You know you need to stay on the council’s good side. If you don’t follow their directives now, then you won’t get their support when you need it most.” Trista stared at Rurik, trying to get an idea of what that meant. Andromeda lifted her chin. “We’ll talk about it privately. Meanwhile, I have a daughter to prepare.” “But…” Rurik protested. “No buts. Leave.” If it was possible, Rurik seemed to stand taller. “I won’t have you officiate. Not with the ancient rites. This is going to be tough enough as it is.” She shook her head. “Look, I fought the good fight. I’m here to make sure this goes smoothly. You don’t have a choice. It’s this or nothing.” Rurik stared at Trista then back at his mother, glaring. “Come, Rurik.” Alaric pulled his arm. “We must go and prepare you as well. We have two other men to find. Quickly.” “I’ve already taken care of that,” Andromeda added. “They will be ones you can trust.” “Who?” Rurik seemed anchored to the floor. “Don’t be stubborn,” his mother chided. “I’m not leaving until you tell me who. I’m not going through this with unknowns.” “My guard, Ranulf, for one.” “And?’ 63

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Her shoulders drooped. She glanced at the floor then back at him. “Your sister will sit in for another to be named. You have the right to designate whomever you want when you find them. It is the law.” “Jinn? But she’s supposed to be finding my…” He glanced at Trista. “Never mind. We’ll discuss this later.” “Yes, we will.” His mother crossed her arms, looking peeved. “And I talked to your sister, too. Apparently she’s been successful in some task you’ve given her.” Rurik paled. Just a little, Trista could tell. “Did she tell you what that task was?” “No.” Andromeda’s purple eyes narrowed like two darts. “She stated that you would have to be the one to tell me. However she guaranteed me she was not in any more trouble with you. She said she’d be waiting for you in the brig.” “The…” Flustered, Rurik stalked toward to the door then swerved back to face Alaric. “You coming?” He glared. The healer eyed Andromeda’s female assets then spoke, his voice gruff. “Rurik’s woman needs to eat,” he told Andromeda. “Please see she gets sustenance.” Andromeda’s stern countenance softened when she looked at Alaric. “I will care for her. Don’t worry.” Trista thought the woman’s eyes glazed over. Scowling, Alaric grabbed Rurik’s arm. With one last glance at Trista, Rurik let his friend pull him away. Andromeda sighed as the portal slid shut. “I knew he would fight this. When the man makes up his mind on something he wants, he’s unstoppable.” She smiled at Trista. “I can understand what he sees in you though. You’re a beautiful woman.” “Me?” Trista said. “Yes, you. Even if I hadn’t known something about you already, I can read the intelligence and self-sacrifice in your eyes. You’re a sensitive, caring and dedicated female. Honest, yet not blatant about it. However, I understand we will need to build up your confidence in yourself. Now stand. Let me see you.” Not wanting to disappoint this lady, she swung her legs over the side and hopped up on her feet, nearly tumbling in the process. The woman grabbed hold of her and sat her back on the bed. “Hmmm, perhaps sitting is a better idea. You’ve been through quite a bit.” She steadied Trista. After she seemed sure Trista could sit on her own, she walked over to the console. Waving her hand over the screen, she pressed a few buttons. “My son says you’ve agreed to this union. If you have any doubts regarding it, now is the time to speak.” The headache Trista had nursed came back with a vengeance. She knew this wasn’t real but everything about it seemed so genuine. Which totally confused her and made her head throb. Logic told her this was a dream, albeit a long one. Yet the people in the delusion were more real than she cared to admit. And the situation…she would have never pictured herself in a spaceship. Still, she’d dreamed about Rurik so often, a man who cared about what she wanted in bed, one so tender he made her orgasm just

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thinking about his touch. A man who seemed to cherish her out of bed as well. And perhaps that was it. Perhaps what she found in Rurik was what she wanted to find in a real, red-blooded man. Strong yet sensitive. Perfect. Except the more she got to know him, the more she realized he wasn’t as flawless as she thought. He had his shortcomings, although they were ones she could live with as long as the love was there. Realization dawned on her. She wanted to love and be loved, for real. By someone, like Rurik, who knew how to treat those he held sacred in his heart. She grimaced, thinking she’d probably latched so hard onto this fantasy because she was lonely and needy. She didn’t want to be. With the kids grown and out of the house, she wanted someone she could share her life and her love with. Someone she would grow old with and be as one heart. Trista was so deep in her romanticized thoughts she didn’t realize Andromeda had come to her with a plate of food, not until Rurik’s mother lifted it in front of her and Trista smelled the delicious aroma. “Eat,” Andromeda’s soft voice soothed. “Then we’ll talk.”

***** Rurik marched into the brig. A man wearing an Earther’s dusty desert camouflage sat within the laser-charged cell, his hands bound behind him, blood on his face. A warrior. Pride swelled within Rurik. The boy stood quickly as Rurik came closer. “Why is he in shackles?” Rurik turned to Jinn who’d been leaning with her back against the wall on the opposite side, her arms folded in front of her. She hiked her leg up and rested the sole of her boot against the metal wall, smirking. Eyeing Rurik then the boy, she chuckled from her gut. “Because he’s a bit much to handle, even with our technology. Reminds me of someone.” Her eyes narrowed as she cocked her head and stared at Rurik from beneath her brows. “Besides,” she perked back up and smiled at the boy, “he’d been wounded in the shoulder and we needed to fix it. He wouldn’t let me near otherwise. He and some of his buddies were in the middle of a battle when we found him. So were two Vulgarians who cloaked. I recognized one of them. Anyway, we kind of surprised the boy here. He and his friends scattered when the Vulgarians cloaked. He got shot.” She looked at Alaric, who’d come in behind Rurik. “All I could do was close the wound. The metal slug is still in there. God’s teeth, what a brutal way to fight.” She hissed the last through her clenched teeth. Alaric nodded to her, telling her without words that he understood he had some work to do. While they talked, Rurik eased toward the cell, staring at a younger version of himself, awed that he got to see his son this close firsthand. “Hunter.”

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The boy straightened. He stood taller than Rurik, albeit not as well filled out, yet he was powerfully built. His son studied him in return. Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “Who the hell are you?” he uttered, his voice quiet, wonder and annoyance underpinning the spoken words. The boy leaned closer to examine him. “I am Rurik,” he whispered and met the boy’s gaze. Silence reigned as they scrutinized one another, yet the tension, the unspoken questions, the incredulity of this moment escalated. Jinn snorted, breaking the invisible hold. “We did a body scan and ID’d him. Not that you couldn’t tell by looking at him, but your DNA patterns compared to his are about as close as you can get with a pater-son relationship. Or so says the computer.” “Open the cell.” Jinn pressed a few buttons on the console near her. The beams dissipated. Anger grew in Hunter’s wary eyes. He had a son. Rurik wanted to grab him and hug him, slap him on the back, one man to another, but based on Trista’s reaction and her extent of disbelief, Rurik figured the boy would punch him out, as angry and confused as he looked, should Rurik take such familiarity. “You are welcome here…Hunter.” The boy didn’t move. “What do you want with me?” Rurik swallowed. “You are my son. I think it’s time we got to know one another.” Hunter’s mouth opened briefly then he pressed his lips together. “Why should I believe you?” Rurik stepped to him and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Look at me,” he murmured. “In your heart, what do you think?” The boy’s eyes moistened as he whispered, “I used to pray that the bastard my mother married wasn’t my real dad. Where the hell have you been?” His body shook. The fear in Rurik’s chest that his son wouldn’t accept him fled. “I’ve been in a war—like you. We have much to discuss.” “Damn right we do.” Rage arose in his gaze again. “Unbind him.” He gave Jinn the order. Scowling, she walked behind Hunter and pressed the code that would release him from the cuffs. The boy pulled his hands around and rubbed his wrists. “I need to go back. My team…” “Jinn has taken care of that. They think you’re dead.” “Look, whether you really are my father or not, it’s a little late for you to interfere with my life. Besides, I’m not leaving my mother and sister there alone. Someone has to take care of them. They need me.” Rurik paused, wondering how much he should explain right now. “Your mother and sister will be provided for.”

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“Provided for?” Acid dripped from his voice. “Fuck, you’ve provided for them so well up to now you haven’t even needed to be there. I mean, here you are, some guy running around the universe. Except for me, you have no ties to her.” Hunter snorted. “What the hell was she to you anyway? An easy lay?” Rurik growled. “Do not speak about your mother like that.” He huffed. “You make it sound like you care.” “I do.” “Then why did you leave her?” The accusation hung heavy in the air. Hunter placed his hands on his hips and stepped toe-to-toe to Rurik. “I understand she wasn’t from your world and that she could probably never understand yours, but you left at least one child behind. Me. God only knows how many others.” Before Rurik could explain, the main portal to the brig opened up. Andromeda stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips. “A son? Why do I have to find out these things secondhand from my guard? Rurik, I do not appreciate this. Shame on you.” Hunter sputtered then glared at Rurik. “Oh, I get it. While you were taking a break on Earth fucking my mother, you had her stashed up here as your main snatch. You son of a—” “No.” Rurik shook his head. His son didn’t wait for an explanation. Hunter’s fist landed on the underside of his jaw. The crack from the solid impact echoed in his ear. Bolts of light crossed Rurik’s vision as he fell backward against the hard floor. Groaning, he struggled to sit as Alaric hovered over him. “Let me see that,” his friend said. “I’m fine.” Rurik brushed him away. “Shatz.” He wiggled his jaw with his hand. The boy’s fist felt like Ploruvian steel. He looked at his son. Hunter fumed. Rurik hadn’t tried to block the punch—because he couldn’t blame him. Jinn stepped alongside the boy, snickering. “Nice shot.” His sister grinned as she slapped Hunter on the shoulder then propped her elbow on the top of his collarbone, cocking her hip in the process and using Hunter to support her weight. “By the ancestors, that felt good.” She glared at Rurik. He glowered back at her, warning her to ease off. Taken aback, Hunter looked between both of them. “That’s enough.” Andromeda marched over to the boy and pointed her finger at him before Rurik could rise and stop her. “Hunter, do not talk to me in that manner or, grown man or no, I’ll take you to task over it.” Surprised by Andromeda’s aggressiveness, the look on the boy’s face signaled a retreat. “I apologize, ma’am. I didn’t mean anything bad about you. I don’t normally talk about women that way but…” Flustered, he said nothing more. Andromeda lifted her chin, victorious. “I would hope not. Besides, you should only say nice things about your grandmother, especially since you don’t even know me yet.” 67

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The boy’s jaw dropped. “Grandmother?” A blond brow arched. “You’re…” He pointed his finger back at her then looked at Rurik. “Yes, Rurik is my son.” She swallowed. Rurik could tell she tried to keep her emotions in check. She lifted her hand and brushed her fingers against the boy’s cheek. “You look so much like your grandfather.” “Holy shit,” Hunter breathed. Standing erect, Jinn laughed. “You can say that again, Nephew,” and slapped him on the back. Rurik stood. Before anything else could be said, the ship rocked with another attack. “Jinn, secure him.” “Already on it.” His sister took his son by the arm. “Mother?” Rurik said. His mother had already found a seat and strapped herself in. “I’m fine. Get going.” She looked at Alaric. “You too.” Rurik hurried out the door, Alaric by his side. “Trista.” “I’ll take care of her,” Alaric said. “Get the ship to rights. There are too many civilians at stake.” They rushed to the transporter as another hit shook the corridor. The events of the last daylight cycles ran through Rurik’s brain. He snorted, chuckling over the incredibility of it all. Alaric looked at him as if he’d gone insane. “I’m a sire.” Rurik grinned as the door to the transporter opened. He felt like a kid. “At least the boy knows I’m real.” Alaric snickered, realizing his joy. “Perhaps you have lost your mind.” A boom sounded. The ship’s starboard side had been hit. Then blackness encompassed them.

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Chapter Seven Trista rubbed her head. After Andromeda was called away, the earthquakes started again, plunging everything into darkness. When the lights came back on, Alaric had found her sprawled on the floor. She’d fallen and hit her noggin on the corner of one of the consoles. After treating her with that medical ray thingy, he put her back in the bed and belted her in, reassuring her that all would be well and showing her how to unstrap herself when the time came, and how to read the console to know when all would be clear. She’d been frightened out of her wits but she breathed easier now. None of the shocks had been as hard as the one that knocked the lights out. The building, or whatever she was in, held. She saw no cracks or fissures anywhere. When the all-clear light came on, she unbuckled herself and sat on the edge of the hospital bed to think. She closed her eyes to dissipate the many images. For a dream, the effects of her visions were of extreme proportions, yet she tried to think of what her thoughts could mean. Throughout her life, there’d always been one obstacle or another for her to overcome. Because of that she figured part of her mind had to come up with issues just to keep the status quo. Which would explain the pretend attacks by some enemy. Just one more thing that could hold her back. Being logical, she explained Alaric as her protective angel, someone to pick her up when she fell. And Andromeda was the bridge to lead her into a new life. The visions of Rurik were the strongest. Those had to mean so much more. She decided the conqueror was her subconscious telling her where she wanted her life to go and that she wouldn’t fail. A new life, if she chose, lay ahead. Understanding this, she realized Rurik represented her happiness—and had for a long time. Something that she wanted. Yet she held back from seizing her desires, which was why she hadn’t bonded with Rurik yet. The rite, the “bonding” ceremony, signified a step into a new life, one in which she created her own joy. That was it. It had to be. In the real world, she’d been afraid to do anything for her own happiness because something always went wrong— usually in the form of Seth. But Seth was no longer a factor. He couldn’t hurt her anymore. She pressed her lips together. The time had come for her to commit herself to her own happiness, to bond with her future and let the past go. Rurik wanted to mate with her. Her subconscious wanted her to commit to a new life.

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She agreed. The time had come to put her fears aside. With the kids grown and onto lives of their own, she had the opportunity for an existence of her choosing. Trista heard the whoosh of the door and opened her eyes. Andromeda walked in, bringing her back into the dream and, she realized, closer to an epiphany. Andromeda smiled at her. “Have you decided?” Andromeda began to list her options for her and talked about the responsibilities and benefits that came with the decisions, but she needn’t have bothered. Trista had already made up her mind. “Yes.” Trista nodded then hopped off the mattress. A bit woozy, she steadied herself against the bed. “I want to move on with my life, with Rurik, and I won’t be afraid. It’s time I grabbed my happiness with both hands.” A dark brow of Andromeda’s arched. “A worthy goal.” She went to the console and pressed a few buttons and giggled. “However, perhaps this will help you on your way.” A door to a hidden cabinet slid open near the panel of lights. Andromeda pulled out an ornate cup filled with a purple liquid then handed the drink to Trista. “Wine?” Trista asked. Andromeda smiled like an imp. “Why not?” she shrugged. “This is a major moment. We should celebrate.” “Why not,” Trista nodded firmly. Tipping the cup, she drank every drop. “Come, new daughter of mine.” She took Trista by the hand. “I will prepare you then lead you to your bondsmate.” The effects of the wine hit Trista in no time. Thinking of Rurik, her libido kickstarted into high gear. Of course, in real life it had to be the drugs but what the heck? Time to move forward. She was ready. And she deserved this.

***** Dressed formally for the ceremony, Rurik paced his room, waiting. The ends of his open royal blue jacket fluttered, exposing more of his naked chest, but he ignored the cool air that brushed him, too worried about the recent events, and knowing the room would heat up quick enough. He pursed his lips, wondering how to capture his enemy. Another of his ships had chased the attacking Vulgarians but his nemesis had cloaked before Rurik’s crew could reach them. Drakkar’s forces had again gotten away. Rurik scowled, his mind churning, trying to think of how the Vulgarians could be finding them. At least this time his mother had been here to witness the attack. She could bring firsthand testimony to the council. He listened to his own steps, letting the soft tap of his boots against the floor filter out the chatter of the ceremonial attendants, allowing him to think. As it stood, the

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damage to the command ship had been significant but his crew had already repaired the main thruster and had made headway on the bulkhead. Given the previous attacks, it would be some time before they saw the same Vulgarian ship again. The area was as clear as it could be. Which was why he wanted to proceed with the bonding rite as soon as possible, then get Trista and his mother to safety. He glanced at the men who stood with him—Alaric, his best friend from childhood, Cedric, the boy who would be man, and Ranulf, an older soldier and his mother’s guard. These would be the men to care for Trista should he fail in his duties—or if he died. However, as it stood, Alaric and Cedric were in the same peril as he was. Trista might be left with the older man. Even so, he knew Ranulf would care for her well. Cedric snickered again as another joke was told at Rurik’s expense. Rurik looked at the younger man and huffed. The other men smirked as they watched him in return, Ranulf snorting at some other vulgar thing Cedric said. The three of them took turns hassling Rurik, knowing what was to come. Even Alaric, although somewhat reticent at the moment, heckled him. Rurik glanced at the bed that Jinn had thought to turn the sheets down on. Thank the fates that even Ranulf agreed to accept Trista without personal inspection. He was going to have a hard enough time apologizing to her about the witnessing. The sarcastic cut in Alaric’s voice interrupted his thoughts, some comment about Rurik’s manhood. He glanced up as the three men hooted. Disgusted, he looked away. Truth be told, he was more nervous about joining with Trista than facing a whole wing of Vulgarian fighters. Then with his mother officiating, God’s teeth, how was he to perform his husbandly duty? And why in Hades hadn’t his uncle planned to come himself? Damnation, sending his mother on this duty and knowing about these attacks… He clenched his jaw, glad Alaric had seen fit to give him a Nyphosian drug. The narcotic was enough to take the edge off, but one that would keep him stimulated. He swerved, sick of the heckling from the men, and looked at Jinn. She sat to the other side with her arms crossed. His sister looked like she’d swallowed a bottle of vinegar. He approached her, glad at least she didn’t join in the men’s merriment. “Jinn.” He kept his voice low, not wanting the others to hear. “I…” She looked at him. Seeing her in this light, he noticed her eyes were reddened and moist. If he didn’t know her better, he would have thought she’d cried before she’d come to his quarters. She gave him a weak smile. “Well, you have what you want, Rurik, although I must say I don’t approve of the current rites much less the ancient one.” “I know.” He smiled at her. “I’m not much for using outdated ceremonies myself. I hate to think what Trista is going to think about this.” Her smile grew warmer. “You really like her, don’t you?” He nodded and swallowed. “I do.” Taking his sister’s hands in his, he crouched in front of her. He wanted to thank her but the words didn’t come easy. She’d suffered 71

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through this war as much as he and, with her youth, took the loss of their father much harder. “I know how strongly you dislike this but I thank you for standing in for me anyway. Joining with Trista,” he almost choked, “means a lot to me, probably more than I realize. Certainly more than I’m willing to admit. I’ve spent so much time trying to push down any feelings, just to protect her.” “You have. I know.” She clasped her hand over his. “You have a son by her already, Rurik. You should be proud. I have faith this will be a blessing overall.” She patted his hand. An air of sadness lingered in her smile. “I’m happy for you—and sorry the council is forcing the witnessing on you. It’s bad enough the woman has no rights in the other men she joins with, but to expose herself to the same group of men is ridiculous if it isn’t something she wants. From what you’ve told me about your bondsmate, I’m thinking she won’t be too keen on the process. I hope it doesn’t cause you problems. You have enough as it is, even without me included.” She stood and tugged him up with her then pulled the open ends of the silk wrapper he wore together. “I must say though, she is a lucky woman. She’s getting a good man.” She eyed his body down then up. “And a sexy one at that. All will be well, Rurik. You’ll see.” She pulled on the gold brocade of the jacket as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, then pulling away, she fisted the material in her hands and scowled. “Just make it quick. I’m desperate enough for some sex myself. I don’t need to be around this.” He smirked. “With you and Mother here? How am I supposed to perform? It’s bad enough with those guys,” he jerked his head over his shoulder at the other men, “but I’ll do my best.” “That’s all I ask.” She patted his naked chest. “The Nyphosian wine should help.” He sighed then swallowed, knowing that in the long run, what he was about to say would cause him trouble. “When this is done, I’ll see about getting your privileges back.” Lust drove her broadening grin. “You have a deal.” Behind him, he heard the portal swish. The men quieted. Jinn looked over at the open door then winked at him. “We’re ready,” his mother announced. When Rurik turned, Trista stood in the doorway glowing—and nearly naked in her bondswoman dress. He could smell her essence, her sex calling him, drawing him closer. He perused her body, taking in the nuance of each curve the sheer gown revealed—the small muscles that showed in her narrow waist, the bend of her hips, the soft skin above her jutting breasts. He held his breath. Even though she wore the breast shields, he could see her nipples peak through the flexible metal. She was beautiful. “Wow.” Jinn turned to him. “A perfect model of a fertile female and bondsmate. You really shouldn’t have any trouble.” “God’s teeth,” he hissed through his clenched jaw. His penis throbbed. He glanced at his mother.

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Andromeda smiled at him like a cat. “Trista of Earth has proclaimed she is ready and is willing to bond with you, Rurik of Svendia. Now all we have to do is formalize this.” Andromeda took Trista’s hand and positioned her in front of the bed. “Come.” She waved at Rurik. “Join with the one whom you have claimed.” Trista licked her lips and looked at him with the same nervousness he felt. That small movement made his dick jump to attention in the silky folds of his black pants. “It’s time, Brother.” Jinn pushed him forward and stood him in front of Trista. “Did you have bonding circlets made?” Andromeda asked. Rurik glanced at Alaric, who had promised to acquire some for him. With such short notice, Rurik knew they would be hard to find. Alaric nodded. “I have them.” Pulling out two armbands from a pocket in his uniform, he showed them to Andromeda. “But…” Rurik paused as he looked closer at the flexible gold armbands, exactly the same with the exception that one was larger than the other. The burnished image of two reddish-gold dragons intertwined in sexual bliss gleamed. “Those were yours.” Rurik stared into his friend’s face, confused. Alaric smirked but a sorrowful gaze tinged his eyes. “What use have I for them now? You need them.” He glanced briefly at Andromeda. “I want you to have them with my blessing. You can always get something else later should you desire.” Rurik had always admired them and had been proud of his friend’s accomplishment. “No.” He shook his head. “I would desire nothing else. I am honored.” Trista stepped closer and fingered the jewelry. “These are beautiful. We’re going to wear these? Gee, I wonder what that means?” Trista mumbled the last statement. Rurik sucked in a breath. Although his mother knew something of Trista’s confusion, she chose to ignore it. Rurik wasn’t sure Ranulf would, however, and prayed they could get through this and send him and his mother away before the man caught on that Trista thought her presence there a hallucination. “Yes,” his mother answered Trista. Pausing briefly, his mother gazed at the armbands then folded Alaric’s fingers over the circlets, brushing his hands in the process. Andromeda’s eyes flickered as she glanced up at Rurik’s best friend then she turned away. “We will start.” Putting on a smile, Andromeda positioned Trista’s back to the bed with Rurik facing his intended. Andromeda stood to Rurik’s right and the men, in respective bonding order, stood to his left with Jinn, representing the fourth man, in the rear. “The scribe of my choosing will record the events. Computer, please image in my scriptorial android.” The nervousness in Rurik’s gut grew as the semitransparent image of his mother’s scribe, Jut, materialized. Swallowing, he looked at Trista and prayed he could perform

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in front of all these people. He couldn’t lose her. Not because of something stupid like this. Putting Trista’s hand in his, his mother took off a silk scarf she’d worn around her neck and wrapped it around their enjoined palms. Trista stepped closer to him. He caught a richer whiff of her sex. She grew wetter the nearer they stood together. He could tell from the heady thickness of the scent. His mother spoke, beginning the words of the rite. As if on cue, his penis shot upward and quivered, ready to mark its target. Trista’s sex. As he watched her, the thought of her soft skin intertwined with his—like the dragons on the armband—made him grow even harder. Lightheaded from the spiced wine, he ventured a look at his cock and gulped. The damn thing tented his pants. Hell, he no longer worried that he couldn’t perform. His biggest worry now was that he didn’t come before the rite was over. Trista felt the sensual heat from the wine in her veins, a little something Andromeda had said would help her through the ceremony. A little high and definitely horny, Trista squeezed her legs together as tight as she could, trying to focus on Andromeda’s words, but the longer she stayed by Rurik, the more her libido thrummed. She wondered what had been in the wine to stimulate her because her hormones were jumping like crazy and all she could think about was getting Rurik’s sexy body stripped and naked. Still, this event was important. Her mind was trying to tell her something. She wanted to hold on to every detail. Working to distract herself, she looked around and studied the other men as they watched the procession. They sometimes looked at her and smiled, and sometimes they looked at Rurik and snickered. The older man, the one she knew nothing about, seemed sweet enough and took most of the rite in stride. She was unsure of his role in her overall illusion. Then there was the only woman in the lineup of men. Jinn, Rurik’s sister, who stood there fidgeting and somber. Trista could see the family resemblance. When Jinn caught Trista looking at her, Rurik’s sister put on a small smile and looked away. Trista turned to Rurik’s mother, trying to focus on the words, words that might help her figure out this craziness and let her get back to her real life, one she now knew she wanted to live her way. Andromeda said a blessing over Rurik’s and her fertility and the ability to repopulate since most people couldn’t do that anymore. Something to do with the technology. She wondered what that meant to her. Another passage on Rurik’s family, how old and noble they were. She held back a laugh on that one. Of course she would make them royal of some kind. That made sense in her momentary delusion of grandeur. In the final statement to Rurik, Andromeda asked him if he’d protect her, Trista, and their offspring with his life.

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He turned to Trista and took her other hand in his, peering as if into her soul with his heady turquoise gaze. “Always.” Trista swallowed at that. Never before had someone offered to risk anything for her, much less the most precious thing they had—their life. And somehow, in some deep recess in her brain, she knew the real man that she found in her real world would too. Then Andromeda turned to her and asked, “Will you have this man as your bondsmate?” She nodded gladly. “Yes.” Knowing that if she loved a man like Rurik, she would forfeit her life as well if need be. Andromeda nodded at Alaric and he brought the circlets out from his uniform. Rurik took the smaller one and, raising Trista’s left arm, slid the band up it, resting the flexible metal comfortably over her biceps. “This band is a symbol of my commitment to you. It will protect you wherever you go. Wear it always.” He held onto her left hand with his. “Now you do the same to him, telling him that this is a symbol of your commitment to him and whatever else you feel for him.” Trista took the armband from Alaric. Rurik rolled up his sleeve and Trista slipped it on. “This is a symbol of my commitment to you. And the beginning of my new life.” A warmth in Rurik’s eyes flickered, heating more than Trista’s sex. It made her heart soar. Then Andromeda turned to Alaric. Pressing her lips together and lifting her regal chin, she asked, “As the second man, would you like to test the woman?” Trista thought she saw a spark of what looked to be a mix of anger and disappointment flicker in Alaric’s blue eyes but then he straightened and said, “That will not be necessary.” Andromeda’s fragile shoulders seemed to relax and Trista thought it strange that the woman would react that way. Then she turned to Cedric. “And you, as the third man. Do you wish to test the woman?” Out of all the men, Cedric had ogled her the most. Now, he simply stood with his mouth agape. Rurik growled. Trista giggled as the boy tried to compose himself in reaction to Rurik’s displeasure. “Uh…” Cedric sputtered as he eyed her assets. Alaric elbowed him in the gut. Bent over and in pain, Cedric inhaled sharply and looked at Andromeda. “No, not at this time,” he struggled to speak. “Good.” Rurik’s mother bit off a smile as Jinn snickered in the back.

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After Ranulf and then Jinn agreed not to further “test” her, whatever that meant, Andromeda turned back to her. “In order for this to be official and in order for any offspring that the both of you have, or will have, to be recognized, you must consummate the relationship.” “We do?” Trista sputtered. “You didn’t tell her this yet?” Rurik bit out. His mother shrugged his irritation off. “I thought it best this way. She’ll be fine. I can tell.” She patted Rurik on the arm like a little boy. “But didn’t we already do the consummation thing?” Trista asked as the men and Jinn closed around her. “I mean, I specifically remember screwing this man in this bed.” She pointed to it and the men behind her either coughed or pretended to clear their throats to stop from laughing. Not that she cared. This was only a dream. “Course, I’m not averse to it. I think we’ve already proved that.” Because in actuality, she’d reached the limit of her patience. Be it the wine or whatever, she was ready to be alone with him and fuck his brains out. “Yes, but you must do this formally and with witnesses.” Andromeda pointed to the attendants as if to direct them. “Witnesses?” As one, the bonding men and Jinn picked her up, Ranulf and Jinn at her feet, Alaric and Cedric under her hips and arms. “Holy crap, I am getting weird,” Trista murmured as they set her on the bed and held her down, legs spread and arms outstretched halfway over her head. Andromeda stood at the end. “When this is over, the ceremony will be completed and you will be formally bonded.” “Man, never thought I was into this kind of stuff. Voyeurism and bondage?” Andromeda winced. “This signifies the ancient way of bride stealing and,” she cleared her throat, “what was generally done. Since virginity was too hard to prove, witnesses were needed to confirm that consummation took place.” Trista glanced at Rurik, wondering what he thought. He ran his hand through his shoulder-length blond hair then rubbed his temple as if in pain. “Rurik,” his mother said, “do your duty.” With a loud sigh, he walked over and, after shooting Alaric a disgusted look, he got into bed beside her. “I’m sorry about this.” His blue-green eyes peered into hers as he lay half on her, the muscles of his naked chest pressing against her torso, his hand stroking her hip through the fabric. “Close your eyes. It’ll be better that way.” “Why?” She smiled, knowing this was only some kinky thoughts coming out of her right now. “I like watching you fuck me.” Some of the men sputtered around them. Rurik squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the features in his handsome face as if the pain in his head took him. “Is your headache getting worse?”

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“No.” His voice grew throaty as he opened his eyes and peered into Trista’s face. Swallowing, he slid his hand to her mons and fingered her clit through the material. Like molten lava, she felt the sensual heat rise in her veins. It was as if the wine burned even hotter within her. The sensation of the cloth and the pressure of Rurik’s fingers made her so wet the honey from her vagina soaked through the fabric that covered her. “Oh God,” she moaned. She wanted to touch every inch of Rurik’s hard, sensual body. Rolling her shoulders and tugging them upward, she worked to free her arms but to no avail. Neither Alaric nor Cedric were letting go. She mewed her protest as Rurik bent his head to hers. “It’s all right. I will please you.” He kissed her lips. “I can smell you,” he whispered in a guttural voice, his face brushing her cheek. He licked the top of her ear with the tip of his tongue. “Your scent calls to me.” “I do need you,” she murmured, breathless. Glancing up, she saw Andromeda cover their lower bodies with the sheet before the woman looked away. Yet, the other men watched, an intensity and fierceness about their gaze. She glanced at Jinn. Rurik’s sister had looked up and studied the ceiling. Trista giggled and closed her eyes, wondering what the hell this all meant and why she had all of a sudden gotten really wild. Perhaps Alaric was right. Perhaps there was a kinkier part of her that begged to be freed. But she forgot all those reasons as the sheet fell over them and Rurik rained a slow trail of kisses down her neck to her collarbone. His touch absorbed her thoughts, and the presence of the others fell from her consciousness. “Rurik, where have you been in my life?” she whispered, releasing the pains of her past, oblivious to anything and anyone else but the man touching her. “I’m here now, my lady, and I will never leave you,” he murmured against her skin. Whether it was the drugs or the thought of needing this man, an unquenchable yearning for him built within her, driving the heat of her body. “Rurik, I want you. I have to have you inside me.” The sweetness of his touch, his dedication, brought tears to her eyes. He laved the exposed top of her breast. “I’m here for you,” he whispered. At her hip, she felt him bunch the fabric of her dress with his fingers. As the hem passed her knees, he slipped his hand underneath her shift, caressing the inner skin of her thigh. His fingers toyed with her flesh as he slid his hand to her mound. When the light touch of his fingers stroked her sex, her breath caught and her hips shot up against him. “Rurik…” she mewed, craving him inside her. His penis throbbed against her body, even through the silky fabric he wore. The head poked through a slit in the front of his pants. As Rurik’s breathing grew ragged, he held his body erect over hers. “I’m going to take you now.” Leaning on his elbow, he used his free hand to pull his dick from his pants then took the velvet tip and stroked her wet labia with his flesh.

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“Yes,” she whimpered, and lifted what she could of her hips to meet him, letting the top slide into her. Rurik growled and thrust into her, covering her with his large body. His strokes grew longer, faster, driving her higher. “Mmmm,” she cried, the nerve endings in her sex her only focus, wanting more of him. She moaned with each breath, her voice louder with every exhalation. The moisture of their bodies intermingled, stirring her until she couldn’t take any more. She exploded, her cry of satisfaction loud in her ears. After Rurik growled with his release, he collapsed on top of her. Lifting his head, he peered into her face. “You are mine now.” A corner of his rich mouth rose. She couldn’t help but smile. “God’s teeth, can I go jack off now?” Trista looked up and saw Cedric grabbing himself with his free hand. She’d been so into Rurik’s lovemaking she had forgotten the rest of them were there. Now the question begged, why had she even imagined them? Jinn chuckled. “Hey, at least these two got some exercise. I don’t think there’ll be any problem in the mating process.” Rurik’s mother tsked, as if scolding both of the younger members of the party. “Make the official report to Jut and you may go.” In the next moment, Trista felt the release of all the hands holding her. Cedric got to the image first. “I witnessed the bonding and consummation.” Then he ran out the door. Rurik pulled her shift down and, after adjusting his clothes, eased out from under the sheet and rose. Alaric slapped him on the back and took his hand. “Congratulations.” Rurik placed his hand on Alaric’s shoulder and shook the hand he held. “Someday I’ll witness your happiness as well, my friend.” He glanced back at Trista. “Preferably not in the same way, however.” Alaric laughed. “We shall see. For now, you have the woman you’ve always wanted.” Andromeda stepped to the bed and sat beside her. “How do you feel?” Trista rose up and rested her upper body on her elbows. “Fine. As fine as I’ve felt since I’ve been in this…” The door swished open as Ranulf and Jinn left. “Fantasy,” Trista finished. Andromeda turned back to her from looking at the door and released a sigh a relief. She glanced at Rurik. “We will leave you alone now.” Rurik grasped his mother’s bare arm and helped her up. “I noticed you’ve stopped wearing our father’s bonding circlet.” His brow furrowed. “Have you taken a lover?”

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Andromeda sputtered to keep from choking. “I…” she paused a moment, “have decided that you were right. It is time I stopped grieving.” “Good.” Rurik nodded. Beside him, Alaric’s mouth parted as if in surprise then he closed it and his eyes narrowed as he studied Rurik’s mother. Andromeda brushed Rurik’s cheek with her hand and smiled weakly then turned and left. Alaric cleared his throat. “Time for me to go as well.” He grasped Trista’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Many blessings to you both, my lady.” With that he reported to the droid and hurried out then the droid disappeared. “Well, that was weird.” Rurik nodded and smiled broadly at her. “Yes. It certainly was, however, it is something we can dwell on later. Right now, I have something else in mind for you.” Tossing off his jacket, he dropped his drawers and crawled into the bed with her. She giggled. “Good thing, because I want you to know, I’m not finished with you yet.” With that, he rolled up the hem of her shift and lifted it over her head, then removed the breast shields she wore and took her nipple in his mouth. “Oh,” she moaned, relishing the feel of him, knowing that now that she’d figured out what these images meant in regards to her life, she needed to get back to the real world and live it. But as Rurik inched his mouth lower against her torso, she whimpered with pleasure. Going lower, he blew his warm breath against her clit. “Reality can wait,” she murmured, and lifted her hips to meet his willing mouth. With the offering, Rurik groaned, and after licking her clit like a lollipop, thrust his tongue inside her. She whimpered with need and realized that never had the act of loving felt so sweet.

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Chapter Eight Alaric rushed into the corridor, hoping to catch Andromeda. Too late. Moving swiftly to the transporter, he ordered the computer to take him to the diplomat’s quarters where Rurik’s mother stayed. He closed his eyes, praying she hadn’t done what he thought she had. But the signs were clear. God’s teeth, the woman drove him mad. The transporter door slid open and he made haste to her room, then stopped in front of it, worried, wondering how to confront her over this new development of hers. Time to stop grieving, indeed. Squaring his shoulders, he prepared himself for the coming battle of words then stood in front of the personal door lock and requested entrance. The portal opened. Ranulf greeted him. Sweat beaded his brow. “By the ancestors, I didn’t think I would make it through, then with Cedric’s damn comments, that friggin’ pup.” The older man chuckled. What the…? Alaric wanted to beat the man to a pulp. Ranulf rambled on. “Being an Earther, do you think the Nyphosian drug made Rurik’s woman ditzy?” He chuckled. “To admit she liked getting fucked by the commander in front of everyone. ‘Course, doesn’t sound like she knew ahead of time what would happen.” He shook his head. “Where’s Andromeda?” Alaric snarled, and hoped to hell the two hadn’t coupled. “Andromeda?” Ranulf shook his head. “She isn’t here. I don’t know where she went.” “Damnation, Ranulf, you’re her guard. You should know where she went—and who she was with.” The man tensed. “I take orders, too, Alaric. I waited for her outside the commander’s door. She sent me off—like she often does with some people, you included. I didn’t ask questions. That’s not my place. Besides,” he relaxed against the doorjamb, “she’s safe enough on this vessel.” Alaric gritted his teeth. “My apologies.” He spun on his heel and marched off, not caring that with Ranulf’s dishevelment, Alaric had jumped to conclusions. Reaching the transporter, he slapped the console and ordered the computer to take him to his room. “Shatz,” he swore as bitter emotions swirled within him. Placing his palms against the wall, he bowed his head in defeat, the empty feeling in his chest eating his soul, threatening to overwhelm him. A lover. He fought the moisture forming in his eyes. God’s teeth, she took a lover. She would never have removed the bonding circlet otherwise. She’d been too dedicated to Ulrich, Rurik’s sire. 80

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Pissed, he pounded the wall with the bottom of his fist, resisting the urge to find her. Reaching his level, he stomped to his room and slapped the personal door lock to gain access. The door swished to the side. He marched in, uncaring for any other duties he had, then stopped. The scent. He sucked in a gulp of the perfumed air. Not alone. He struggled to gain control over his emotions. Turning, he looked toward the bed and grimaced. “Meda.” He exhaled the words through his clenched teeth. His best friend’s mother stood twisting her scarf, an anxious look in her reddened eyes. Andromeda licked her lips then looked away. “The computer let me in.” Her soft voice stroked him, sending blood shooting to his crotch. When she looked at him again, her violet eyes spoke as if imploring him, afraid. “I would never turn you away. You know that.” Alaric was scared to move. Afraid of what she would say. “I…” With her palms together, the scarf sandwiched in between, she pressed her delicate fingers to her lips then swerved, her back to him. Her shoulders shook. A small whimper came from her sweet lips. She lifted the scarf to dab her eyes. He went to her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her. But he couldn’t bend. Not this time. Not anymore. She had a damn lover. He grasped her arm and turned her around, causing her to drop the scarf, forcing her against the wall. “Why are you here?” he snarled. She pressed her moist lips together and glared at him with watery eyes. “Why did you stand in as second for my son?” His gaze narrowed. “I’m fertile. He’s my best friend and he asked. Why shouldn’t I?” She looked away. Moving closer, he took her wrists and slid them against the wall as he raised them over her head and held her there. “Give me a reason why I shouldn’t have.” Her pupils bore into his with unspoken longing. He swallowed. He couldn’t allow himself to soften. The pain was too much to endure. “That’s what I thought,” he sneered. “Did you find what you were looking for?” he whispered, letting the contempt he harbored come through. “Someone acceptable to warm your cold nights? God knows, they wouldn’t be able to warm your cold heart.” Rage simmered within him, the agony of losing her. “Tell me,” he hissed, peering into her face, “who your new lover is.” Her eyes widened. Tears tracked her cheeks. She pouted. Her bottom lip quivered as she lifted her chin, defiant. “I have no lover.” She pressed her lips together again and stared at him, beseeching him, for what? He knitted his brows, confused. Leaning closer, his mouth inches from hers, he studied her face. “Why, Meda? Why did you come?” 81

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“I…” She licked her lips once more. “Your mother was my friend. I knew you as a boy.” “I’m a man.” He stared into her eyes. “And I know what I want.” “You deserve better.” He touched his lips to her cheek, inhaled her scent. “Tell me you didn’t find ecstasy in my arms. Tell me you don’t want me.” “I don—” She stopped, pulling away to stare at him, the conflict forefront in her gaze. “You can’t,” he snapped. “You can’t because you know you are mine. I can smell the truth on you.” “Alaric,” she cried, “I’m so confused.” “Afraid of what people will say? What your fellow council members might think?” He tried but he couldn’t keep the venom from his voice. Her eyes flashed. “No. I don’t care about the council but I am too old to be fruitful. You are a very fertile man. You need someone who will bear you children.” “I don’t give a damn about that,” he uttered through clenched teeth as her fragrance, so seductive, so lush, prodded him. His resolve weakened. His cock gained a mind of its own. “Tell me you don’t want me and I’ll forget you.” Pain seeped through the haze in her eyes. “I don’t want to.” He couldn’t take any more. His hard cock pulsed, straining against the front of his pants. Pulling her arms down, he clenched her wrists behind the small of her back and set her hips tight against him. “Feel me, Meda.” Locking her wrists against her body with his forearms, he grasped her tight ass and lifted her so that his penis thrummed against her mons. “The man who claims you,” he growled low against her lips. Her eyes widened. She moaned her pleasure as he rubbed his rigid sex against her. Her response urged him on. He captured her mouth with his, plunging his tongue between her sweet lips, penetrating her, wanting to possess every ounce of her precious body, of her tender soul. His dick steeled against her, paining him with unconsummated lust. “I need you,” he whispered hoarsely. “Shatz, with everything that’s happened in the last hours, all I can think of is bedding you.” He outlined her lips with his tongue, trying to control his shaking. “Don’t deny yourself, Meda. I know you want me. Your scent gives you away.” She panted roughly against his lips, her body quivered in his arms as her essence permeated the air. “But Rurik…” “To hell with Rurik. He’s bonded and happy. Leave him be.” He glared at her. “I want you. Now. And by damn, I’m claiming you. For real. If you do not want this, Meda, then leave me now and never trouble me again, for I promise, the next time you tempt me, there will be no turning back.”

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She held her breath. Pain flitted across her beautiful face. “I can’t go, Alaric. I miss you too much. My…my body is tortured without you.” Her soft mouth parted and caressed his lips. “Shatz, woman, you make me crazy.” He dominated her mouth, latched on to her frame, pinning her arms, unwilling to let her go. She yielded to him completely. Slipping her hands free, she glided her palms around his hips and gripped the cheeks of his ass, locking him against her. “Alaric, the things I feel for you, I shouldn’t.” Tears streamed down her face. He eased his hands up her back to her tender shoulders then took her face in his palms. “Yes, you should.” He stroked her lips with his. “I love you, Meda. More than a friend or a lover. More than a bondsmate. I love you as my woman. My only one. The only one I want.” He peered into her pupils, knowing he had to do this by the book, knowing she would resist. He wouldn’t allow it, not anymore. “I claim you, Andromeda of Svendia, as my woman.” “No,” she protested, trying to tug herself away. He wouldn’t let her. “I claim you. You are mine. I expect satisfaction from you unless you can prove me unworthy to the council.” “Alaric, you don’t know what you’re saying.” Her heady scent blasted him. “I do.” He wrapped his arms around her, locking her against him. “Your body has already agreed. I can sense it as well as you. Prepare your mind, Meda. Now. For I will not be letting you go until I have completed what I am now entitled to.” He kissed her, inhaled the erotic undertones of her body’s perfume. “But you should have a child,” she mewed. “I can do that by other means.” Her warm breath teased the underside of his chin. “Yes, but that is not our way. Oh, Alaric, what am I to do?” He pulled back, locking her violet gaze with his. “Love me.” She pressed her tender lips together and swallowed. “I do.” Her admission was all he needed. Lifting her in his arms, Alaric strode to the bed. Laying her against the silken coverlet, he knelt over her. “From this point on you will be mine. And I will die to protect you.” “But…” He put a finger against her lips. “There is no turning back, Meda. Not now.” He kissed her before she could issue further protest and lay beside her to palm her breast. Running his hand along her side, he stroked her hip as he placed soft pecks along her velvety neck and across her collarbone. Grasping the sheer overcloth she’d donned, he tugged the fabric, raising it to her hip. “Alaric?” “Yes, Beloved.”

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“I want you.” “I know.” He slid her girdle off and tossed it aside then fingered her wet labia. “Alaric,” she moaned as her eyes closed, wanting more. “Patience, my lady. And you will have all you desire.” Easing over her, he pushed himself up and settled his legs between her knees. Running his hands under her sweet ass, he squeezed her firm cheeks then grabbed the hem of the shift and pushed it upward underneath her, using his fingers to stroke her skin as he moved. When he neared her breasts, he skimmed her sides with his fingers. Reaching the breast shields, he thumbed them off and slid his fingers against her ribs, catching her bosoms underneath and rubbing his palms over her fleshy mounds, lightly squeezing until her nipples peaked. With his forefinger, he flicked each one then took first one then the other in his mouth, teasing the tip with his teeth and laving her flesh with his tongue. Her eyes fluttered open. Her pupils dilated with desire. She lifted her arms and with one last effort, he grasped the garment and eased it over her head, tossing it to the floor. Leaning back on his heels, he stared at her a moment, memorizing every nuance of her, the long, dark hair that framed her head and upper body, the small lines on her expressive face, the softness of her breast, the curve of her hip, the dark pink tinge of her sex. His rod quivered in appreciation. Conscious of his attention, she reached to cover her womanly assets. “Don’t.” He grasped her hands and pulled them to him, kissing the back of her fingers on each one. She tugged her bottom lip with her teeth. “I’m aging. You see the signs. Why do you want one such as me?” “You are beautiful, Meda.” He placed his hands on either side of her head. Steadying himself, he hovered over her then leaned in and kissed her. “I love you. There is nothing else.” He softly pried her mouth open with his tongue and used his teeth to tease the lip she’d bit upon. She sobbed with pleasure. “Alaric, I do so love you. If only I were younger and could fulfill your needs.” Slowly, he lay on top of her and cradled her against him. “You meet every need I have. Say nothing more as there is nothing you can say to stop me.” Her eyes teared. “Oh, Alaric.” She brushed his cheek with her fingers. “Nothing.” He covered her mouth with his, penetrated her soft flesh, relishing the taste of her sweetness. Placing light touches of his lips against her skin, he eased his body lower against hers and traveled again to her breasts, moving from one to the other, licking the tips. The ragged intake of her breaths urged him, made him rock-hard with need. Still he refused to release himself until he knew she’d found satisfaction.

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Lying to one side, he layered light kisses down her ribs as he caressed the skin of her waist, moving farther downward. “Ah,” she moaned and grasped his head, running her fingers through his hair, her scent heady, rich. He fingered her wet clit, pinched the inner lips of her sex. Her hips shot up. He took her nub in his mouth and grasped her rear cheeks. “By the—” she panted, pressed her hips against his mouth as he held her flesh between his teeth and laved the bud of her sex, sucking, licking, causing the carnal responses of her body to deepen, her canal to grow wetter, her honey to trickle out of her and drip down. Squeezing her ass, he licked her again, his mouth covering the droplets on her labia and sucking, his tongue outlining her nether lips, savoring her rich taste. She quivered. Her moans drove him, made his stiff dick ache for release. He plunged his tongue into her channel, lapping her, tasting her, relishing the rapture that she was his. “Alaric!” Her desperate cry ignited him. She was ready. Straightening, he yanked off his top. When he wrenched down his pants, his dick sprung out, the tip wavering, the blood pulsing within, demanding satisfaction. When Meda spied this, the enticing edge on her smile stirred the primal male instincts in him, the need to mate, the need to penetrate this woman. Yet he wanted to please her first. He rested a hand against the bed over Meda’s shoulder and balanced himself. Taking his cock in his hand, he stroked the tip across the bottom of her wet labia to the top of her clit and down, letting only the head slide in and out of her with each pass. The silky wetness of her warm cunt coated him more as he eased his penis deeper, teasing her flesh, forcing her to see no other option than to have him and him alone. “Mmmmm, oh…” Her ragged pants grew louder. “I…want to…taste you.” Her breathy voice beat out the words. Pre-cum formed on his tip at the thought. He stroked faster, rousing her nub, causing her cream to flow over him. His mind envisioned her again, taking him into her mouth, sucking, pressing his rigid cock with her warm tongue, the feel of his semen mixing with the wetness of her mouth, swirling around his penis as she sucked his emission down. He wanted her taste, yearned for it. Yet a warning sounded in his mind. Meda was a stickler for proper execution of the rituals. He would not give her an excuse to back out. He felt sweat bead on his skin. His cock pained for release yet he steeled himself from the temptation of her mouth because the other thing that he wanted was so much more. “Tell me you want me, Andromeda of Svendia.”

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“I…” Knowing this was the final step in the claiming ritual, her violet eyes narrowed with fright, yet her fervor burned so strong she could hardly speak. He teased her again with his cock, bent over and took her nipple between his teeth and gently grazed her skin. She gasped, her hips thrust over his sex, the presence of his hand the only thing that kept her from burying his cock in her pussy completely. “Tell me you’ll have me, Andromeda. Say it,” he uttered through gritted teeth, fighting to keep his cum until she pledged to him. She pressed her lips together then her mouth parted. “I will have you, Alaric of the Svendian outpost of Mark, as…my bondsmate,” she said between pants. He grinned like a boy being offered his first piece of pussy. “Then I will take you now.” He could barely voice the words before he plumbed the depths of her sweet body. She cried out and lifted her hips, grasping her breasts in the process, squeezing the tips of her nipples. He groaned. The erotic view of her touching herself heightened his pleasure. Grinding against her clit, he plunged into her, and thrust again—faster, harder, with each pass. Her pants grew heavier, more ragged. She writhed against him and whimpered, quietly at first then louder, her head thrashing from side to side. He pressed against her, firmer, softer, changing the speed to drive her wild, the pleasure of her erotic throes making him last. She grasped for him, for any part of him. Settling a firm grip on his biceps, she released herself to the passion, screaming with the apex of her carnal desires as her vaginal walls clenched around his sex. Nothing could have satisfied Alaric more. Pounding into her, he bellowed as he released himself and felt his seed spew into her. His breaths rough, he gazed at her beautiful face. She smiled, a haunting sadness framing her lips. “You are stuck with me now.” His smile broadened. She fingered one of his dimples. “I will have you because I know now I cannot live without you,” she said. He covered her body with his and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her naked skin against him. “I’m glad you have come to see things my way.” She sputtered. “You are an arrogant man, my bondsmate.” He chuckled then pressed his lips to hers. “It isn’t arrogance if you can back it up.” “Oooh.” She slapped his chest. Grasping her to him, he rolled with her and set her on top. “Now, let’s try this again, shall we, my woman.” The lascivious gleam in her eyes told him all he needed to know. “I love you, Meda, and I always will.” 86

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Tears filled her eyes. “I love you too, Alaric. With all my heart.” She bent over and kissed him then slid down his body. When she sucked his cock into her mouth, he knew he’d found the only ecstasy he cared to claim.

***** Trista awoke loosely cradled in Rurik’s arms with her rear snug against his hips. They had made love. She didn’t remember how many times. Yet each time felt like the first. Finally exhaustion took both of them and they fell asleep. She winced. A small headache pounded her brain. Must be the drug that Andromeda gave her. Woo. She didn’t know if she could handle it again, but damn, it would be worth a try. She looked over her shoulder and stared at the man whose arms she lay in, wondering if he was real, if maybe he was some intern or orderly who had gone way out of line with her. But he looked so beautiful. And made love so sweetly, so passionately. Scoffing, she realized it must be her imagination again. What young, good-looking man would want a middle-aged woman like her? Especially one who wasn’t all there at the moment. Rurik sighed and, without opening his eyes, turned her and pulled her into him, resting her head against his shoulder. His muscular arms cradled her breast against his sculpted chest. “How do you feel?” he murmured against her temple. She kissed the underside of his chin in response. He peered down at her then took her mouth with his as if taking a long draught of water. Warmth encompassed her. Safety. She had never felt these things with a man before. “I feel fine.” She slid a leg between his knees and felt a twinge in her crotch. “A little sore maybe but I can tell you it was worth it.” The tenderness in his smile made her breath catch and she knew she could love someone like this vision. “Would you like to shower?” He kissed her cheek then her mouth. She giggled. “Do I smell that bad?” The corner of his rich lips rose. “Never to me. Your scent is how I found you.” She swallowed, knowing that somehow she had to get back to reality. “One last time,” she said sadly. A strange look crossed Rurik’s face but it passed so fast she couldn’t register what it meant. Rising, Rurik lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bath. After ordering the settings from the computer, Rurik stepped with her into the flowing water. He held her under the spray, the jets buffeting her nipples. “Mmmm.” She would miss Rurik. A hunky man who was able to hold her weight for this long was definitely worth having. Pulling her chest to his face, he took her nipple in his mouth, vacillating between grazing his teeth across the tip and licking the nub.

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Squeezing her arms against the sides of her breasts to make them peak, she moaned her pleasure then caressed his powerfully built back. He suckled harder, longer. She ran her hand upward against his shoulder and wove her fingers through his golden hair, holding his head against her flesh as he worked his magic. “Rurik, you feel so wonderful.” She bent her head to his, wanting to satisfy her urge to rain kisses on his crown. In response, Rurik sucked her nipple and pulled up on it. The pressure tantalized her, made her want more. “Oh God.” She tasted him, kissed his head wherever she could reach, trying to bring his mouth to hers. He understood. Sliding her down his body, he settled her crotch against his burgeoning penis and blazed a path of kisses from her shoulder to her neck, then, touching his parted mouth to hers, he took her lips and laved them, sucked them and pressed his full mouth against hers, deepening the kiss, taking her breath away. “Finally, you are mine,” he said, his voice a whisper, as if he talked to himself. “I have waited so long.” She moaned as she caressed his chest, loving the feel of him, wondering why, in her dream world, she would have made him wait. When her mouth parted, he thrust the tip of his tongue inside, stroking her, pressing her lips between his. The sensation stirred her. Sexual tension swelled within her core. “Rurik, you make me drunk with passion.” Her voice grew heady with lust. “I think I’m addicted to you. That’s why I can’t seem to wake up and let you go.” He pulled away. His blue-green eyes narrowed, studying her. “If it means losing you, then I never want you to wake.” “But that wouldn’t be fair, or right.” Guilt finally stabbed its ugly hooks into her. She laved his chest and closed her eyes, wanting to remember every part of him. “I will miss you, Rurik, my conqueror, but I have responsibilities. Hunter and Mercedes will be worried about me. I have to go back to them. I love them and they still need me.” Rurik inhaled sharply then rested his forehead against the crown of her hair, pulling her cheek to his chest. “Trista, what if I told you this was real? That I would find your children for you?” “Pffff,” she sputtered but a tear tracked down her cheek. “I wish. I wish a man like you was alive. One I could share my life with. But you aren’t.” “I am. Blood pulses through my veins as well as yours.” He kissed her hair then took her hands in his and placed them against his chest, holding them there. “Feel me, Trista.” Sorrow bordered the edges of his eyes. “Feel this,” he insisted, sliding her hand down his torso and folding her fingers over his hard penis. “I am real. And you are my bondsmate.” She narrowed her gaze as she looked at him, questioning. “But you can’t be. I mean…” She tried to back away but his arms encircled her and held her against him.

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Bending to her, he kissed her softly. “What do I need to do to prove it to you, Trista now of Svendia, as it is time this issue is resolved before it causes you any more misery.” The little voice inside her that had questioned her weird state for so long leapt to the forefront, wanting to squash her sanity once and for all. It was as if she was two people and the insane one was winning, wagging its finger at her reasonable self and saying, “I told you so.” She shook her head with a jerk. Once. Twice. Then glanced at Rurik. He was still there. And he looked worried. She gazed at his chest. Running her fingers over it, she felt the small hairs that crowned his pecs. Heaven, he felt real. She looked away. “This can’t be. My kids…” “Come.” He ordered the shower to stop. Lifting her, he carried her to the side of the bed, letting the water from their bodies drip onto the floor. “I will prove this to you. Somehow, you have to believe me.” He ordered the computer to dry them. The light in the room grew hotter and somehow warmed air blew against their bodies. The sensation ignited her sex drive again, but Trista forced it down. She had to get away from Rurik to dispel these illusions. He set her on her feet and held her arm as he mussed the bed cover and found one of the breast shields. Determined now, she tried to pull away, struggling with him, but he wouldn’t release her. “Let me alone. I need to get out of here.” He ignored the breast shield and yanked her to him. When she slammed into his chest, he locked his arm around her and held her there. “You can’t. We’re on a space vessel and there is no way for you to leave. Especially with the Vulgarians prowling around. It isn’t safe.” He inhaled roughly then his eyes narrowed. “I can see now that your believing in me is even more imperative. I don’t want you doing anything rash.” “Rash? What do you mean rash? I am not a rash person. I’m very logical, thank you, which is why I know this is some drug-induced hallucination.” She jerked her chin up, pissed. “Dammit, you must be an orderly or something fucking around with me. What the hell did you give me?” She shoved against his flexing, very real-feeling chest but he didn’t budge. He growled. “You’re coming with me.” Grasping her wrist, he pulled her behind him as he picked up her fallen shift from the floor. “And that’s another thing.” She struggled to free herself but his grip was like steel. “These clothes. I mean, get real,” she spoke through gritted teeth. “Who would wear something this slut-like unless they were picking some guy up? I mean, really.” He tossed the sheer cloth on the bed. “It’s considered an honor in our society. Every woman who is a breeder wears such to signify their status.” “A breeder?” She huffed and pulled again. “That sounds demeaning.”

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Rurik picked up the other breast shield from the floor and slapped it to her bosom. “It isn’t to us.” He pulled her to him, causing her to lose her balance and fall into his broad chest. “Umph.” The impact knocked her breath out. “And you are a Svendian now, whether you like it or not.” “Hey.” She straightened and ran her hand over the shield. It didn’t move. She was amazed the thing stayed in place without some glue. “I wondered how that worked. You just slap it on like that?” She gaped as she looked up at him, awed. He looked at the ceiling a moment then at her. “Yes.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Wow.” She cocked her head to look closer at it, impressed. Then she glared at him, remembering they were fighting. “And you say this isn’t a dream? I mean, who ever heard of something like that? A flexible metal thingy that you slap on.” She whacked her covered breast. “Ow.” She flinched then massaged her breast to take the sting away. “Heck, that felt real.” He grimaced. “It’s Maloran. They are gifted fabric makers. These were made specifically for you so they fit you and will not fail.” Bending over, he picked up the other one and placed it gently on her naked breast, molding his hand around the shield and her flesh as he did so. Her breath hitched. Whether she was angry at him or not, his touch made lust burn in her veins. Stepping to her, he held her in his arms. “Trista, I implore you, please try to be reasonable.” “Reasonable?” He put his finger over her lips before she could argue. He swallowed again. “I know this has been hard on you, being wounded and shuttled to a place and people you’ve never been aware of, but you must know—you and I have been having sexual intercourse for years. I have often gone to Earth searching for you because I knew you were the woman for me. This is why you remember me. I am not some fantasy.” He pressed his lips together. “Truth be told, I am the real father of your son.” “Hunter?” He nodded. She stared at him, studying. No wonder he looked familiar. “Holy shit, I really am sick.” “What?” He felt her forehead. “I’ll call Alaric.” “No.” She shook her head. “I mean I’m depraved. How could I think of having sex with a man who looks like my son? That’s disgusting.” He groaned and rolled his eyes. “Trista.” He grasped her arms and shook her. “I am not a dream. You remember me from the past.” “Well, that’s just…silly.” He frowned. “When was the first time you dreamed of me?”

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“When?” She looked away to think then snapped her head back to look in his face. “I was a teenager.” He grinned. “Yes, and you were bathing naked in a pond at night.” She gasped. “How did you…?” He sat her on the bed. “But?” She closed her eyes. Bending over, she rested her elbows on her knees and rubbed her temple. “This is the weirdest dream.” She choked. “I have got to get my mind back.” “Come, I’ll help you but you must dress first.” Rurik lifted the shift off the bed and, gathering the ends together, put it over her head. She threaded her arms through and pulled it down her torso as Rurik grabbed his silk pants off the floor and shoved them on. “Come.” He held his hand to her. Shaking, she placed her palm in his. He squeezed her hand once as if to reassure her then pulled her up. The hem of the shift fell to the floor. Grasping her like a child, Rurik picked her up and cradled her then marched with her out the door. “Where are we going?” she asked as she looped her arm around his neck, worried, not understanding at all what went on around her, glad Rurik held onto her because he was the only thing that seemed to steady her world. Why would she want herself this confused and afraid? Rurik walked with her into the transporter. “Computer, where’s the boy?” “In the brig, oh Great One.” His lips thinned. “Take me there,” he growled then mumbled, “I need to get this damn transporter fixed.” In moments, Rurik stood with her in his arms on a floor she hadn’t envisioned before. Moving quickly, he strode to a door and demanded entrance. When the door whooshed open, an unknown man greeted them. “Commander,” he addressed Rurik then looked at her. “My lady.” He nodded his head in the same manner that Rurik and Alaric had met Andromeda. Which really weirded Trista out. “I understand Jinn left him here,” Rurik asked the man, then cut his eyes briefly at Trista. “Yes, sir. It was the safest place during the attack. Only she hasn’t come back to get him yet.” “She…” He paused, pressing his lips together. “Dammit, Olav, find her.” Looking at Trista, he pasted a smile on his face, as if trying to dispel his obvious irritation, then glared back at the poor man. “Move aside.”

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The man rushed to get out of his way. Rurik walked into the darker room. A broadshouldered guy in an American soldier’s garb lay on a bed inside an iridescent seethrough wall made of lights. An eerie feeling gripped her. When Rurik stepped closer, the man shot up and came toward them. “Hunter?” Trista stared at him. It couldn’t be. Her son? Rurik eased her down. Hunter stared at her, aghast. “Mom?” He glared at her as he scanned her body. “What the hell?” Raising his hands, he stepped closer to the shimmering wall. “Don’t,” Rurik warned, but Hunter touched the light before Rurik could finish. “Damn.” Her son jumped back, clenching his hands. “Fuck, I keep forgetting. That thing stings like a son of a bitch.” “Olav, turn the damn thing off,” Rurik commanded. “I can’t believe Jinn left him in here,” he muttered. The light-divider thingy cleared. She stared at her son as he stepped toward her. “Mom?” He looked worried. “Hunter…” She felt her knees sway underneath her. “Hunter, your language…” Her feet gave way. She felt Rurik’s strong arms come around her and hold her fast as Hunter reached for her. The last thing she heard was Hunter hollering, “You bastard, you fucked her again, didn’t you?” Then all went black.

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Chapter Nine “Her blood sugar’s low.” That was Alaric. Trista felt the cold hardness of the floor at her back as her mind came awake but she kept her eyes closed, unsure of what she would see. “With all your activity, have you fed her anything else?” Trista wanted to chuckle at the thick sarcasm in the healer’s voice, but until she settled things in her brain, she was afraid to move. “No,” Rurik spat out, and she heard her warrior release a tortured sigh, a little farther away. “Great, so besides screwing the hell out of her, you’re also starving her to death.” Hunter? Yes, Hunter was there. Close to her on the other side of her from Rurik and the healer. “I didn’t think children would be so difficult,” she heard Rurik mumble. A woman giggled. Andromeda. “Of course they are. Anything worth having isn’t easy. Still, they are worth the effort. Look how well you turned out.” “So tell me…” Hunter was pissed, Trista could tell. “How many times have you been down to Earth to fuck her—Dad.” “Hunter,” Rurik’s mother said, “you must understand. Rurik mated with her because…because he didn’t have much choice. We’re driven by nature in this. You will be too, I’m sure. At least to some extent. I know you’re upset, however your parents are bonded now. It’s our form of your marriage.” She sighed. “I don’t know how we’re going to do this, we’re setting new ground, but somehow we’ve got to get you an education and some training. You have responsibilities now. I know you can flourish in our society.” “I’m not leaving my sister down there.” “I’m not either, dammit,” Rurik shouted. “That’s why I have a team looking for her. Jinn included. Your aunt is the best there is at finding someone.” “Or avoiding someone,” Alaric added in a low voice. But Hunter’s anger was focused. “One person isn’t enough. Send more. I told you where to go.” Mercedes. Trista had been gone a long time. Mercedes would be looking for her. “Mother, Jinn better be on the planet or there will be hell to pay,” Rurik threatened. Rurik’s sister was going to get Mercedes. What would her daughter think? Would Mercedes have as hard a time believing any of this as she had?

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“Well of course she’s there. Jinn is good to her word, you know that. I was the one who was supposed to settle Hunter in but I got…” she paused, “sidetracked.” “Blast it,” Rurik cursed. Trista flinched as the pain in her head sharpened. “Mom?” Trista moaned, knowing she’d been found out. She lifted her hand to rub her temple. “Mom.” Hunter’s voice. He slid his arms around her and lifted her shoulders. “Are you all right?” “Hunter.” Trista sounded hoarse. “Are you real?” He didn’t say anything for a moment. Trista could feel the heated anger coming from him. “Yes.” She sighed, not sure if she was relieved or not. “Are you going to open your eyes?” her son implored. She gulped, tempted to crack one eye open to peer at him. Instead, she squeezed her lids tighter together. “First…” She took a deep breath. “Tell me where we are and who the people are with you.” He paused again. “We’re on the Punisher, a spaceship.” “Oh God,” she groaned, the ache in her head getting worse. Hunter snarled. “It belongs to Rurik ‘the Conqueror’, a man who looks so damn much like me I can’t deny he’s my real father. I think you met the others but apparently ‘the Conqueror’ is now your new husband. You just got married and for some reason your only son wasn’t invited to the ceremony.” “You wouldn’t have appreciated it,” Rurik spat. “Hunter,” Andromeda chided, “what’s done is done. And stop using your father’s title like that. I told you that he didn’t ask for the Conqueror surname. It was bestowed on him by the council. That official designation is the only reason he uses it when he has to formally introduce himself.” Hunter steamed. “He shouldn’t have to formally introduce himself to his own son.” Pain lanced through Trista’s head. She couldn’t deny the truth any longer. Rurik was Hunter’s father and she, “Trista now of Svendia”, was bonded to him, whatever that meant. Thing was, Rurik was someone totally unknown to her, at least in the real world, or worlds, or wherever the hell she was. Squinting, she slowly opened her eyes and studied her surroundings with a new perspective. Hunter kneeled to her right, looking down on her, worry reflected in his young face. “I’m glad you’re safe at home,” she flinched, “sort of.” She wanted to hug him but she was a little lightheaded. He took her hand and squeezed. “I’m here, Mom. I’m fine.” 94

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Ignoring the one man that, at the moment, scared her the most, she glanced at the others. On her left, Alaric hovered over her, holding that small machine he used that resembled some kid’s gaming device. He smiled at her. “I think you’ll be all right. I’ve given you something to boost you up for a while. At least until we can get you eating regularly.” “Oh good,” Trista said halfheartedly. She glanced at her feet. A little rumpled, Andromeda stood there and stared at Trista, her hands folded and pressed against her lips as if in prayer. Wincing, Trista steeled herself, afraid to face the real man she’d been bedding for so long, knowing the things she’d said and done had been done for real, not dreamed about—and to a total stranger. She closed her eyes a moment then swallowed. “Rurik?” she uttered in a small voice then looked at him. Alaric stood and moved away as Rurik crouched beside her. “Yes, Beloved.” He cradled her other hand between his. Hunter snorted and released her, gently lowering her to the floor again. Rurik glared at their son a moment. When he looked back at Trista, his brow relaxed and he peered at her with those penetrating blue-green eyes. “You married me?” she asked. “Yes, we bonded.” She felt the press of the circlet on her arm. She fingered the one on his. The events of the ceremony filtered through her brain. Her eyes popped open with the realization of what had happened and she struggled to sit up. Rurik grasped the back of her shoulders and pulled her to him. She looked at him, stunned. “You fucked me in front of five people—three of them men!” she squealed. “And you were there, and you.” She pointed first to Alaric and then Andromeda. Rurik shut his eyes and grimaced. “You—did—what?” Hunter thundered, his voice louder with each syllable. His body tense, Hunter fisted his hands at his sides as he rose. Lifting Trista in his arms, Rurik shot up. “It was part of the ceremony. It isn’t what I wanted.” “Bullshit. You son of a bitch.” Andromeda got between them and lifted her palms as if she could hold them off. “Boys.” “Andromeda.” Alaric grasped her to hold her back. “Stay out of this. This is between the two of them.” “But they’re my family,” she protested.

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“No,” the healer whispered as Rurik set Trista down behind him. Trista moved to go to Hunter but Rurik held her back with his arm. “It’s bad enough you have no respect for me but you do not talk about your mother and your grandmother like that,” Rurik ordered. Andromeda teared. “Stop.” She looked at Hunter from Alaric’s grasp. “Grandson,” she sniffed, “if I understand your Earth patois properly then you do not think very highly of me.” Hunter stuttered. “No. I mean. Oh hell, I…I didn’t mean anything about you. Honest. It’s only an expression. It doesn’t mean anything, not about you anyway. I promise.” He crossed a finger over his heart then held up his palm, as if making a pledge to her. “Shit.” He ran a hand through his blond hair. “Now look what you made me do.” He glared at his father. “Me?” Rurik pointed to his own chest. Andromeda lifted her chin. “That’s enough. I will not have you two fighting. Especially in front of your mother, Hunter. She’s recovering. And for your information, so we don’t mistake each other again, your sire’s father and I were properly bonded.” Her petite voice wavered. “Sire?” Hunter’s brow arched with humor. Then he glared at Rurik. “I guess that sounds about right. He’s never been a father, that’s for friggin’ sure.” Then Hunter’s head swerved toward Andromeda. “Did you fuck in front of five people too?” “Hunter,” Trista scolded as Andromeda sputtered. “It was not required of us,” Andromeda said calmly. “Unfortunately, for your father, it was.” Anger burned in his face. “Then why for my mother?” Andromeda sighed. “It’s hard to explain but it was necessary.” “Hell. They already have a child, at least one.” Anger burned in Hunter’s face. “For an advanced race, you people have some really fucked ideas.” Swerving, Hunter turned his back to them. His body shook. “Hunter?” Trista looked at him around Rurik’s large body. She wanted to go to him but Rurik held her back. The boy spread his arms and leaned against the wall as if in defeat. “Mom, all I’ve ever wanted to do is protect you.” Trista watched Rurik’s face change. As the anger in Rurik fled, sadness crept over him. “Hunter,” Rurik choked, “you’re not the only one who has failed in that.” Leaving her, he stepped to their son and placed his hand on his shoulder, whispering, “I should have been there and I wasn’t. This is my fault. I…I want to make up for it but I need your help.” Hunter eyed him over his shoulder. “I don’t understand what help I could give you. You seem to have everything. Even my mother.”

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Rurik shook his head. “I don’t have everything. I want you and your mother in my life. And your sister when we find her. Whether she is mine as well or not, I will be a father to both of you. At least, as much as you’ll let me.” Hunter straightened. Instead of glaring at him, he studied Rurik. “Find Mercedes. Then we’ll see.” Rurik nodded. “I’ll find her.” A sudden boom sounded. Hunter tackled Trista and ducked, covering her with his body. “Dammit,” her son muttered then studied Trista. “Sorry, Mom. Standard reaction from where I’ve been. Are you all right?” “Yes.” Rurik grasped Hunter’s arm and yanked him up. “Come, son. It’s time you saw what your father does.” “But his shoulder,” Alaric protested. “I haven’t fixed it yet.” “Later,” Hunter yelled as another explosion rocketed them. “Commander,” a female voice permeated the air, “the Council vessel has been hit. Their engine is gone. Three dead. Five wounded.” “I’m on it.” Alaric bolted out the door after a passing look to Andromeda. “Damnation,” Rurik roared. “Rurik, your language,” Andromeda scolded. “We’re in a war, Mother. Olav, secure the women.” “Yes, sir.” “You still get grief from Nana?” Hunter queried with a quirky smile on his face. Rurik smirked and marched to the door. Hunter only laughed at his father as he followed him out. “Nana?” Andromeda arched a delicate brow as the door shut and settled her fists on her hips, staring at the portal. “It’s a term of endearment, Andromeda,” offered Trista. The woman arched an aristocratic brow. “I think with everything that’s happened you had best call me mother.” “Sure thing. Mom.” With a sarcastic smirk, Trista looped her arm over the woman’s shoulder, wondering. Now that she knew this was real, what had she gotten herself and the kids into?

***** The cool ocean water tantalized Mercedes’ naked skin. An early morning mist had rolled in. With the water fairly placid, she took advantage of the predawn to indulge in her favorite pastime—skinny-dipping.

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She took another stroke then rolled on her back with her arms outstretched and legs parted to float. The waves lapped against her sex. A cool breeze blew over her nipples. The bracing wind chilled her tips and made them peak. “Mmmm.” She loved the feel. Nice. She imagined two hunky men, one blowing on her breasts and the other licking her labia. “Yum.” That was the nice thing about nature. It would start her sex drive going. Needing more, something firmer, she bent her arms and slid her hands over her breasts. Gripping her peaking nubs, she twisted and pulled on them, relishing the erotic sensations shooting through her, and the invisible connection to her clit. “Geez.” The nerve endings in her clitoris tingled. She squeezed her legs together and moaned. “Oh man.” Her breathing deepened as she pushed the back of her head into the water. It’d been a while since she’d been thoroughly laid. She could really use a release. Reaching for her crotch, she fingered herself. Tickled her clit with her middle finger then rubbed it harder. A stronger current brushed water over her. “Ummmm.” She plunged a middle finger inside and stroked, pulling it totally out every so often to rub and pinch her nub. Someday, she thought, she would get more talented and be able to do both at the same time. Meanwhile, she didn’t want to ignore her breasts and kept her other hand moving from one mound to the other, entertaining them. If only there was some technology that would do all of this at the same time. Something with the real feel of skin. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about the male species. Needing more, she swam to shore, to the little cove of boulders and trees she had discovered by accident some time ago. The place was a haven for her indulgence. Stepping up on the beach, she grabbed her towel and dried herself, taking the time to stroke the more erotic parts of her skin. A stronger breeze blew against her. She dropped the towel. Opening her arms and spreading her legs, she welcomed it. “Hmmm.” Reaching down, she fingered her labia and spread the lips open to catch the undulating wind against her sex. When the air lessened, she took her towel and spread it over the sand. Oh did she want some sex—even if it was just herself. She looked to the east. The deep blue of the sky told her she had some time. Hardly anyone else got up this early. She needed the treat. Shaking out any sand and bunching the corner of the towel, she got on her hands and knees. Spreading her nether lips, she rested her clit on the lump she’d made of the cloth and gyrated her hips, grinding the nub of her sex against the fabric with just enough pressure to get her off. Her breasts hung down as she pushed her torso up. Naked and alone, she studied the globes as she rested her body on her elbows. She thought they looked lonely so she imagined a man lying underneath her. Closing her eyes, she fingered her nipples, squeezing and tugging them with fervor. 98

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A hunger for carnal ecstasy spiraled in her. She panted, craving an orgasm. Finally, she erupted. Rubbing her clit against the cloth a few more times, she collapsed against the towel, knowing the respite was only temporary, for as nice as the last few moments were, she yearned for more. She wanted a man’s hard penis—skin-to-skin—inside her. “If you’d asked, I could have helped with that.” Mercedes gasped. Her eyes flew open. Two black boots rested in front of her face. She grabbed the towel and jumped up, scrambling away from him. “You son of a bitch. You just sat there and watched me? You know there is such a thing as giving someone some privacy. At least you could have coughed or something and told me you were there.” She felt the blush creep into her skin. The smug grin against his swarthy face denied her claim. “I came to find you.” He shrugged his massive shoulders. With a flick of his head, he tossed the ends of the long black hair that brushed his neck, over his shoulders. “You were well on your way when I, ah,” he snapped his fingers in the air, “popped in. You were enjoying yourself. Literally. Why should I interfere?” “You…” She glanced around. There had been no one there before. She’d looked. Where could he have come from? She backed up as he stepped to her, scanning her body with his ice-blue eyes. “What do you want?” Her instinct told her this guy was trouble. He lunged for her but she was ready. Evading his grasp, she whipped the towel around like a toreador and threw it over his head as he spun by her. Jumping on his back, she clamped her arms around his and tried to kick his knees to make him fall, but he moved too fast. Thrusting his hips back into her, he threw her forward, head over heels. She moaned as she landed with a thump on her back. The man’s hard body had left no compromise. He took two steps to reach her. Crouching by her head, he smirked. “You won’t get away, trust me, so make it easy on yourself, okay?” His black brow arched, his eyes gazed at her with longing. “What do you want from me?” she whispered. He smiled and grabbed her under the arms. Picking her naked body up, he turned her around and tossed her over his shoulder. “Hey.” She struggled as she protested, twisting her hips. “You aren’t taking me anywhere, buddy.” “I beg to differ,” he mocked. A zap shocked her butt, then he let her body slide down into his waiting arms. He held her up like a child. She tried to push against his chest but she’d grown weak and could only feel the beating of his heart against her palm. She heard the man say something about being ready to go back to the ship. Fear gripped her but she couldn’t move. Suddenly her world spun and she blacked out.

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Cassius carried the limp woman close to him as he left the teleporter beam, liking the way her helpless, naked body felt against him. Craddock met him on the dock. “You found her.” “Of course,” Cassius smirked. “When have I ever failed to retrieve my prey?” Headmaster Craddock huffed. “You are the best, Cassius, I grant you that. Now,” he ran a finger down her cheek and eyed the rest of her, “what to do with her. I can smell her fertility. She must be in her ovulation phase.” He looked at Cassius. “Hide her in your room. I don’t want the men fighting over her.” “Do you want me to clothe her?” Craddock snorted. “Why bother?” Turning, he left. Cassius glanced at the woman in his arms, a small part of him sorry for her. When Craddock made up his mind about something, he was unbendable. And Cassius was afraid the headmaster had already decided what to do with her.

***** Per Rurik’s mother, the commander’s quarters was one of the safest places on the ship. Andromeda insisted Olav take them there. After ensuring Trista had buckled herself in a chair by the console, Olav hurried out the door, muttering words that said he had no time during an attack to babysit two women. But Rurik’s mother never strapped herself down. Instead, she used the computer to log their location then showed Trista how to get a food bar of some kind and made her eat. When Andromeda satisfied herself Trista was settled, her new mother-in-law took off, saying she wanted to help in sick bay, reassuring Trista before she left that all would be well. The hull of the ship shuddered. She hoped Andromeda had made it there in one piece. Trista frowned as the shaking halted. Problem was, with Andromeda gone, she was left alone with her thoughts—a dangerous thing in her current mood. This place, this real place, was too new, too different—too unknown. She knew nothing about space travel much less being pounded by another ship. And her son was with Rurik. Hunter had just come out of one war. How much danger was he in now? She had too many unanswered questions and was scared as hell about the battle raging in deep space. Would Hunter be okay? Would Rurik? She wondered about him. Wondered how she would feel if something happened to her new husband. A small part of her knew. She’d fallen in love with the dream man she’d come to know so many years ago. She’d been in love with him since the first. No man, not even poor Seth, could have measured up to those sensual nights she thought she’d dreamed. Still, what did she really know about Rurik?

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As the ship quaked again, realization and clarity seeped into her fogged brain. Frustration boiled in her with unanswered questions. She had known Rurik as a lover, a fantasy man who showed her passion and tenderness. Yet, in this life, he was so much more. A commander to military forces, an alien to her planet. A man with a family. And what else? Who was this person who’d found her years ago and transformed her as a youth into a woman? Was Rurik the kind of man she thought he was? Or was that the real illusion? Memories flooded her, of her lover’s hard, nude body intertwined with hers, the passion they shared, the warmth and tenderness she’d felt in Rurik’s arms. She had never felt the like again, not from someone else. She closed her eyes. Her blood heated with the thoughts, the remembered moments, the words they’d whispered, the murmurs of love. It was real. Had been real all along. So why had he left her? Tears formed in her eyes. Sadness filled her, of the time lost, of the memories that she may have had that she’d been told were coldly erased by him. How many times had he been to see her? How many times had they made love? And why did he keep coming back, only to erase her memories and leave again? She shook off her gloom. In the end, he had come for her, hadn’t he? Yet… She grimaced. Hell. She was married again. The ship rumbled as the hull vibrated. Trista glanced at the ceiling, wishing she knew what was going on. Quiet. Suddenly, a moment’s reprieve. Then she felt the ship leap as if into high gear. The force pushed her against the console. She braced herself against the desk then buried her head in her arms, doing the only thing she could. Think again. Pursing her lips, she forced herself to concentrate on other things than the raging battle. Her mind wandered. Why had Rurik come now? Why had he taken her? Was it because of Hunter? And what about Mercedes? Trista’s memory of Rurik was particularly strong during the months before she realized she was pregnant with them. Yet Rurik said she shouldn’t have remembered him at all. Why would he try to make me forget? She grasped her aching head with her palms. Too many questions. She had so much she needed to know about this man, about this life. Inhaling, she worked to center herself. Think things through. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, remembering what her thoughts were before she’d been hit by a ray gun. Yes, that’s what happened. She’d been wounded. Hadn’t Rurik said that’s why he took her? The ship seemed to slow. She wondered what was going on now. Raising her head, she rubbed her temples. The plans she’d made for her life came into focus. After her divorce, she’d decided to set a new course for herself, one where she did something that made a difference. Now things had seriously changed. Her dreams, her vision had been 101

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taken away and replaced by an advanced technology and a race she knew nothing about. As intriguing as that was, she didn’t really appreciate not having control over her own life. And now here she was, bonded for the rest of her days to a man who, in reality, she barely knew. And I thought I’d never get married again. She sputtered at the irony. Anger threatened to engulf her. The bonding ceremony made her shudder. To think she’d enjoyed being fucked in front of other people. Well, not in her right mind, she didn’t. But she had thought it a dream. Then to have four other men she knew nothing about be committed to her in some fashion. What did all that really mean? And why did Rurik want to marry her in the first place? “Sheesh.” The man had a lot of explaining to do. Yet, one thought grabbed onto her and sobered her more than any other—did Rurik love her? She affirmed her resolve. If there was one thing she knew it was this—she wanted to be cherished. Never again would she dedicate her life to a man who didn’t love her. The next explosion almost deafened her. A few alarms sounded. Gritting her teeth, Trista looked at the ceiling, frightened. “I can’t stand this.” Unbuckling herself, she jumped up. The hull vibrated again. The next jolt sent her to the floor. She didn’t care if she got battered or if she died. She just didn’t want to do it alone. She needed to find those she cared about. And she had to do something productive. She figured if Andromeda could make it to sick bay, so could she. On shaky legs, she rose and made it to the portal and waved her hand in front of the small screen. It didn’t open. “Computer, open the door.” “Your request is denied. You have been confined to the room for your safety,” a female voice, different from the transporter, said. “By whom?” “The commander. I believe he doesn’t want you hurting yourself.” Another hit shook the ship, throwing her against the wall. She wouldn’t be deterred. Not again. People she loved were out there fighting. She wasn’t about to sit there like a log and feel sorry for herself, not when she now knew this life was real. “I have to do something.” She muttered to herself and gripped her palms against the metal door, trying to slide it open. “That won’t work.” She shook her head once in surprise. “How do you know what I’m doing?” It never occurred to her that the computer could carry on a conversation or would even know what she did. “I have been asked to monitor you and your movements as well as your bodily functions to ensure you remain healthy.” 102

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“You’ve got to be kidding. So when I pee, you’re going to know that?” “Yes.” “And report it to the commander?” “Yes, as well as the healer. He is the lead man responsible for everyone’s health on this vessel. He indicated you have lost consciousness a few times. He doesn’t want that to happen again.” “I see.” Her irritation rose. “I’d like to know who they think they are? They can’t hold me here.” When the computer stayed quiet, Trista paced and tried to think of some way out. “Did Andromeda make it to sick bay in one piece?” “Yes.” Trista halted and glared at the console. “Then why can’t I go there? I could help.” “They do not need assistance at this time. However, my sensors indicate you should secure yourself again. Now.” The loud blast threw her back against a wall. The ship jolted. Gasping, she slid down the side until she could catch her breath. Inhaling, she got on all fours and crawled to the seat. “Thanks for the warning.” “You’re welcome.” Glaring at the console, she pulled herself up and strapped herself in. “What is going on?” “Two unmarked Vulgarian spaceships are attacking then cloaking.” “Unmarked?” “They are of Vulgarian design but do not have the normal state insignia transmission designating them as part of the Vulgarian fleet.” “They—” A thought hit Trista. “Can I see what is going on? What the bridge is seeing or even what is happening where Hunter and Rurik are?” “Yes.” “Then show me.” The console screen lit up and split into several views. Another large ship appeared suddenly on the viewing panel. The Punisher shook again. An energy ray seemed to come from the bottom of its hull, hitting the other ship broadside. “When the ship shakes like that, does that mean we’re firing?” “Yes.” Forgetting her fears, Trista concentrated on the new experiences in front of her, fascinated. “Isn’t deep space dark? How can I see these things?” “Radio and light wave emissions from various sources reflect off the objects in space, sending the images back to the ship.” “Except when cloaked?”

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“Yes.” “Hmmm.” An idea came to Trista. “Can you teach me how to use you?” “Yes.” “I wonder if you can answer some questions?” “I can try.” The voice actually sounded happy to finally please her. “Then let’s get started.” Trista straightened then rubbed her palms together. “Rurik, my dream lover, you do not know what you have gotten into.”

***** I have to find that girl. Jinn stood in the middle of the cabin and looked around once more. Using the information she’d gathered from Hunter, Jinn had gone to Mercedes’ place first and found the small apartment empty but lived in, as if someone went out for a run and would be right back. After a full day of waiting, Jinn knew that wasn’t the case. She’d lost hope that the girl had simply gone on a trip when she found her niece’s travel bags in a closet. Something felt wrong. Jinn knew it. But she couldn’t be sure. No time to panic yet. The girl could have spent the night with a “friend” and taken whatever was on her back. Hell, how many times had Jinn done that herself? If Mercedes was anything like her possible father, the need to mate ran strong in the family. But Jinn wanted to find the girl quickly. Not only because she hungered to have her sex rights back but because leaving Mercedes on Earth meant putting the girl at risk. She couldn’t do that, rights or no. Jinn closed her eyes, praying the same Vulgarians who had been near Hunter hadn’t found Mercedes as well. Jinn hadn’t told her brother that the Vulgarians had been ready to nab his son. She figured with everything else he had to worry about, Rurik didn’t need to think about this too. Jinn would find Mercedes, by any means necessary. Yet worry nagged at her. Jinn had tried to contact the Punisher to have her mother ask Trista about Mercedes, but for some reason the transmission failed. Now her only lead was at Trista’s house. Jinn shuffled through some papers on a desk. Perhaps there was some clue she’d overlooked that would tell her where the girl would be. Nothing. Going to the bedroom, she checked the drawers then looked under the four-poster bed. Not a sign. “Humph.” Standing, she plopped her fists on her hips, thinking. Where else could she look? Where could Mercedes be? Maybe there was something outside in that ancient transport device. A car they called it. The strong scent of sex wafted to her. The man I smelled the last time I was here. She chuckled, taking pleasure in the male’s unique odor, remembering how her

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pheromones had fired the last time she scented it. The tingling in her nerve endings— wow. A charge like that was hard to forget. She quirked her lips, wondering where the gentleman could be. What would a quick lay with him be like? Hell, she could use it. The release would get her mind off sex and help her concentrate. She gnawed on her lower lip and squeezed her legs together. Just thinking about screwing made her horny. The scent grew stronger. She took a deep whiff, relishing the erotic prickling throughout her body the aroma gave her. Her nipples peaked. Growling with frustration, she seriously considered dumping her brother’s mandate. Except she was too good a soldier not to follow orders. “Fucking damn him.” He pissed the hell out of her. There had been no reason for restricting her. She hadn’t asked the men she’d slept with to get in a fight. She inhaled again. Deeper. Reaching under her blouse, she closed her eyes and rubbed the nubs of her breasts, tempted by the smell. The man had to be nearby. The isolated cabin did have a few neighbors. Perhaps he was in one of those? Maybe he hiked in the woods? His movement would explain the continued thickening of his powerful emanation. Suddenly, her hormones ignited, driving her hard. Her cunt moistened. “Damn Rurik.” If he hadn’t had taken her sex rights away, she wouldn’t be so needy. The scent encircled her, grabbed her. Made her want. She squeezed her legs together and gritted her teeth, seriously wondering if she could get away with banging the guy for the pleasure of it. It wouldn’t take long. She could erase the guy’s memory afterwards. No one would need to know. Except her mission took priority. “Damn, damn, damn.” The man’s unique odor strengthened. A sudden need to mate lurched within her. She gasped as the hard electrifying passion shot through her nerve endings and grabbed her crotch, stimulating her, heightening her craving for sex, making her tremble. “Shatz,”she whimpered. Swaying, she grabbed onto a post by the head of the bed to steady herself. Leaning against the wood, she tried to even her breathing but to no avail. She panted uncontrollably. “No.” She couldn’t let this happen. I need to bond. Her body craved satisfaction, for a completion that so far she hadn’t known. Perspiration beaded on her brow. Can’t give in. If anyone ever knew, it would ruin her life. She’d become a breeder, dammit! The control she had over her destiny would be gone and her warrior status ended—before her revenge over Drakkar was complete. Damn the fates. So far, she’d been able to avoid detection and the chance that a bondsmate would find her. After all, some of the fertile never bonded. They simply found an agreeable partner to raise offspring with. Now, of all the luck, some rogue Earth man had ignited her. “God’s teeth.” The captivating sensation shook her to her core, made her body quiver with carnal lust. Slipping down the post, she sat on the bed and gripped the 105

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wooden pole with all her might then steadied her forehead against it. “I…will…stop.” She forced her breathing into a steady rhythm. Inhale slow, exhale slower. Her mind could only fathom the basics. She strained to think, needing to wrest control over this biological response she’d never faced. “Can…do…this. Must…keep…sane.” The man’s scent enveloped her. He must be near. She had to get away. She pulled herself up. Think. If she could focus on something else, she could subjugate this primeval drive. Your mission. Think of your mission. Yes. Mercedes. She had to find her. The girl was in danger. Yes. The need to survive kicked in, repressing the other base instinct. Threat. She’s in peril. Her breathing ragged, Jinn straightened and licked the moisture off her upper lip. “Have…to locate…her. Mission first.” Even with the strong scent, her breathing evened. Thank the ancestors. Closing her eyes, she ran the recent events through her head to engrain the sense of endangerment. The Vulgarian attacks, the fact their enemies almost had Hunter. Yes. With the threats, her survival instinct kicked in harder, thinly subduing her need to mate. “God’s teeth.” Even her senses throbbed. She grimaced now that she had more control, wondering why the Vulgarians wanted Rurik’s children in the first place. Her only answer was that they were up to no good. The smell. Closer. Her need to fuck reared its ugly head again. “No.” She leaned against the post and mewed as she struggled to maintain control. “Drakkar, you scheming bastard. What is it you want?” A deep, roughened voice scoffed lowly behind her, one that oozed the power of sex. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Her knees buckled but she managed to swerve and pull her pistol from her waist pack. The man was too fast for her. He stunned her arm before she could get off a shot, causing her to drop her weapon. She glared at him and leaned against the post. His haughty smirk, his deep green eyes, his jet-black hair. “Oh shatz,” she whispered more to herself, “not you.” She trembled with fear and unfulfilled longing, the need to bond gripping her soul as the craving to fuck grabbed her pussy. Drakkar stepped closer, towering over her, slowly grazing her body with his eyes. Goose bumps rose on her skin, the urge, the want driving her onward.

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“You’re even better-looking up close.” His lust-ridden gaze pinned her. Her breathing deepened. He stepped nearer, his green eyes mesmerizing her. “Good, that’s at least some compensation—that our children will be handsome.” The sarcasm hung heavy in his voice. Can’t let this happen. “Umph.” Grasping her lame arm, she rammed her shoulder into his chest, trying to knock him off balance, needing to get around him to make the door, but he stepped back to take her hit and let her tumble into him. He wrapped his arms around her and locked her against him. Oh hell, his smell. Him. She closed her eyes as her body weakened even more, melding against him. He was the one her body demanded. His hold softened and he held her like a lover. “No.” Laying her palms against him, she buried her face in his chest. Her skin craved his touch, his warmth. Heat rose and fell within her, moving with an ebb and flow like the act of sex. She bit her lip as her traitorous body developed a mind of its own. Pulses of carnal need fired from her nipples to her pussy. Sweet tension in her nerve endings surged. The tips of her breasts peaked against his hard chest. Her cunt creamed. Oh God, no. He rubbed his nose in the rogue strands that had fallen from her ponytail. “Your smell.” He held her flush against him. His large, hard cock poked her abs. He kissed her neck with his soft lips. “Your taste. You are mine, Jinn of Svendia.” “No!” He knew who she was. He would use her against her brother. Terror drove her, freeing her for a moment from the need to mate. Panicked, she pulled away from his relaxed hold and kneed him in the balls. “Shatz.” Loosening his grip, he bent over. She flipped her arm up to break his grip then grabbed her stunned arm to pull it free. “Dammit, woman.” He clenched onto her wrist, but not before she got a good enough grasp to break her lame arm loose. She dashed out the door, her fear releasing her from the hypnotic effects of his body. Where to go? She had to flee, get out of the area before he found her, before her body betrayed her again. Jumping over the porch railing, she made for the trees, hoping to find a spot where she could hide and contact her ship. She heard him land on the ground behind her. Too close. She slapped her comm unit to initiate her emergency beacon but with him so close she couldn’t complete the steps. Her heart racing, she sped and ran under the lower branches, hoping that with his height, he’d hit one of the limbs and knock the hell out of himself. How could she want him? Her father’s killer. Damn the fates, why him?

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The thought came from nowhere, the sense of betrayal to herself, to her quest. Breathless, she heard his steps behind her. She had to escape. He couldn’t claim her. She wouldn’t allow it. She sped faster, horrified at the thought that Drakkar would catch her. What torture would he put her through? “Omph.” Two arms grasped her waist as Drakkar hit her with a flying tackle, knocking the wind out of her. He turned in midair, cushioning her with his large body as his back hit the ground with a thump, landing with a slide along the dirt and forest debris. She twisted to free herself but his arms were clamped against her like Ploruvian steel. “Let—me—go,” she gritted out, and tried to elbow him in the side with her good arm. But he was ready for her. He overcame her easily with brute strength. “You will not get away from me, woman. I know who and what you are.” He grasped her wrists and pulled them up over her head. She twisted her body but he wouldn’t let go. Pain shot down her good arm from her attempts to escape. The bond of a shackle snapped against her wrist. “No!” She arched her back and lifted her leg to kick him but he rolled with her again and lay on top of her, his heavy weight pinning her chest to the ground. He clapped the last shackle on her other wrist. “I can’t.” She wasn’t a crier but God’s teeth, she wanted to weep at that moment. Never before had she been trounced so badly. “What do you want with me?” He rubbed his hard penis against her ass. “I think it’s obvious, don’t you?” “No.” “Yes. You are mine, Jinn of Svendia. I claim you.” “You-you can’t. I’m sterile.” His lips brushed her ear. “You lie and you know it. You’re brain is desperate to leave me but the Vulgarian sense of smell is as good as the Svendian—probably better. You are ovulating. I can smell your fertility. And the fact your body must have me.” He lifted his torso off hers and turned her around, crouching over her. His dark green eyes narrowed. “Do you think I want this? You? You’re a Svendian warrior. The sister of my sworn enemy. But there is no denying it. Our bodies have chosen for us.” “I can’t.” She tried to scoot from under him but he simply lay on top of her again. She bucked her hips, trying to throw him off. “You bastard, you—killed—my—father.” His deep eyes pierced her as he brushed an errant hair from her face. “We’re at war, Jinn. People die. If you think I did, I’m sorry, but that doesn’t change things between us. I will have you. And I know you want me. I saw you in the room. You could barely stand when you smelled me spill my seed masturbating, trying to deny my need for you.” “It can’t be you.” Tears pooled in her eyes.

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He rubbed his hands along the insides of her outstretched arms then interwove his fingers with hers. “Don’t cry. I’m not the ogre your clan says that I am. I’ve known since the last time I saw you that you were mine.” “When I was here looking?” It had been him she scented before when she searched Trista’s house. She stopped before she revealed too much. “You were here before me.” “Yes.” His pupils gleamed with desire and something more. The small lines around his eyes crinkled. A softness. Tenderness. A need. A longing for another to be with. It was as if his eyes felt her pain and pleaded with her to allow the completion of the claiming ritual. Her nipples, her clit tingled, wanting him, demanding she say yes. No, you cannot think anything good about this man. He is your enemy. “I saw you playing with yourself on the patio over there,” he whispered and a corner of his lips rose. The harshness left his handsome face for a moment. “You think I wasn’t tempted to take you then? It took all I had to resist. I’ve tried to deny our bond since.” He shook his head then his black lashes narrowed. “I can’t do that anymore.” Even his charm worked to disarm her. Her father. He killed her father. Her spirit weakened. She tried to buck her hips again, making one last play to free herself, but he had too much control. He held his face within inches of hers. “I won’t be taken off guard anymore either.” Her fear. She needed to be afraid. He bent over. His tender lips took hers, brushed over her mouth lightly at first then harder with his next press. He outlined her lips with his tongue. “Mmmm,” she moaned as passion fired her blood. Her eyes fluttered close. A tear trickled down her cheek. “My father. His brutal murder.” He paused a moment. “I will do everything in my power to prove to you that I had no part in that.” His voice lowered. “Somehow I will make his death up to you. I swear.” Her eyes fluttered open. The sincerity in his gaze crippled her. “This can’t be happening.” “It has,” he whispered against her cheek then nipped her neck with his teeth. “Whatever has happened in the past, the fates have chosen for us now.” She inhaled and moaned again. His scent. The overpowering need. Lust flooded her body, her brain. Having him was all she could think about. Pressing her hips against his, she ground her mons against his hard cock. “That’s it, Jinn.” His hands slid down the soft underside of her arms then along her sides. Slipping them under her blouse, he grazed his palms over her skin to reach the underside of her breasts. “You need me.” His rich deep voice stroked her. The husky sound of it caused her nipples to tingle.

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No. She had to fight. Enemy. From somewhere in her soul, she dredged up her final assault. Thrusting her arms downward, she struck him in the temple. “Shatz!” he cursed, and yanked his hands from under her blouse to grab her bound hands and hold them down. “This isn’t going to do.” He looked around. Catching sight of something, he scowled at her, a mixture of lust and malicious intent in his gaze. When he pulled out his laser, for a moment fear shook her, the thought he would destroy her before they bonded to simply free himself from the hold their bodies had, but he fired at a tree limb, shaving it off with only a little more than a foot to spare. “This should prove interesting,” he growled. “Trust me, Jinn, I will have completion of this rite that our ancestors shared.” Standing, he yanked her up by the shackles and hefted her onto his shoulder like a sack of root vegetables. “I would rather you be a gentler woman but I suppose your warrior training won’t allow that.” He strode toward the shaved-off limb. “It isn’t my training,” she squirmed. “Then your stubbornness.” He dropped her to her feet by the tree, glaring at her. “But I can match you at that one for one, my lady.” “Omph.” The air left her as he yanked her into him, his hard body not allowing any compromise, his mouth plundering hers, first with a tantalizing softness then hard with possession. “I need you, Jinn,” he murmured with a huskiness that made her pant. His fingers massaged her back. “And you need me. You know it. Stop fighting. Your mind will not win. I’ve tried. This goes deeper than that.” One hand slid down to her rear and held her against his throbbing penis. She twisted to fight, rubbing harder against him, her ego wounded after having lost the struggle. A softness, sadness, hung like a shroud on his face. “If this is the way it must be then I will have you as such, but I prefer you more willing.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Perhaps after this first, it will be easier for you.” With every pant of hers, Jinn’s nipples rubbed against his chest, weakening her resolve. She gazed at him. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I don’t understand. Why this? To us? We should hate each other.” He swallowed. “There is no understanding. And I don’t hate you, Jinn. We’re only on different sides.” His eyes narrowed again, a darker green deepening around his irises. “The fates put us together but perhaps you are the answer I’ve been looking for.” She didn’t know what he meant, and not knowing scared her. What did he want? She wriggled as he lifted her arms and kneaded the tender skin underneath. Sliding the fingers of one hand to the binding, he grasped her wrists and lifted them. With his other arm, he scooped around her rear and cradled her to him. Lifting her slightly, he looped her bound hands over the broken branch then lowered her to stand on her own. Her feet barely touched ground. She would have to jump or pull

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herself up to free herself. Then, through the comm in the emblem on his collar, he gave his body computer the command to cloak the area around them. “Sorry.” Sadness haunted his smile. “I won’t take the chance you’ll try to unman me again. And I don’t want to be disturbed by any of your compatriots.” Even the look of his face stirred her now. The loneliness, the need reflected in it, the fact he wanted her and her alone. “This can’t be happening.” She closed her eyes. “Yes,” he whispered against her cheek, “keep your eyes closed if it will help. Don’t think, just feel. Feel that I am the one who will complete you. I will fulfill you, Jinn. More than any other. I promise.” His arms gently captured her torso and held her close. Her breathing deepened. “And I promise I will die to protect you.” The final words of the claiming rite. “No,” she cried against the skin at the vee in his verdant shirt, her mind protesting. She couldn’t agree. Yet her body burned so hot for him she could barely stand. She rubbed the hard nubs of her breasts against his chest and moaned at the pleasure that shot through her with the touch. “Yes.” His husky voice coveted her. She knew how he felt. Deep inside, she knew she needed him. “Feel me, Jinn.” With tenderness he held her to him, his deep voice pleading. His hard cock pulsed and strained against the entrance to her sex, as if asking for safe passage. He nuzzled her neck and kissed her earlobe, enchanting her as his body shook from his restraint. “Please. Do not fight this.” His essence, his sultry exhalations on her skin, made her moan with want. “Drakkar…” “I am here.” His voice shook. “As much as it pains me, I will not take you until you are ready.” She mewed again. “I want you.” He sighed as if relieved. “I know.” He pushed his hands down her back to her ass, pressing her hips into his. She opened her eyes to peer into his face, wanting, needing to see him, see how much he needed her in return. Slowly, he rubbed his rigid sex against her and, with tender possession, pressed his lips to hers. The tip of his tongue massaged the sensitive skin of her mouth, prying her lips apart a little at a time, relentless yet soft, like a trickle of water in a stream that wears against a rock. Finally, her resolve broke and she kissed him back, gently at first, as he had done. But the flood gates had opened. As wanting as she had been before this, her craving for him, for a sexual completion, drove her. Lust flared within her, the hunger for a man’s penis inside her, for the peaking of sexual desire to possess her completely. “I need you,” she whispered between pants. “I know.” He cradled her face in his palms and kissed her, dominating her mouth, commanding her body. He unhooked her waist pack and let it drop then pulled up her

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blouse and ran his fingers upward against the skin of her ribs, resting his palms under her breasts. “I need you too, Jinn. My body craves you.” He slid his fingers across her breasts, the tips of some of them pressing to rub her nipples. He then squeezed her mounds, making the dark pink nubs peak between his thumbs and his forefingers. Fire shot through her from her breasts to her clit, charging her body with anticipation. “Mmmm,” she moaned as her eyes fluttered shut, hardly able to recognize her own breathy voice. A cooling breeze gusted against her exposed skin, titillating her hard peaks and shooting fire into her loins. “God’s teeth,” she uttered. In moments, Drakkar’s hot mouth covered one nipple. He sucked on it, using his teeth to lightly graze her skin. Meanwhile his hand played with the peak of the other, tugging and twisting it slightly, causing her need to surge with each caress. She panted harder. Wetness from her sex coated her pants. He’d pulled his mouth off her breast. “You won’t need this,” he whispered against her neck then nipped it causing her breath to catch with greedy anticipation. She heard the rip of the cloth. Her eyes popped open. Using his hand to protect her skin, he guided a Ploruvian blade against her blouse, the only thing that could cut the cloth. “But—” He reached the vee of her collar and sliced right through. Then he noted her comm link over her ear—her only means of contacting the ship and gaining salvation from his grasp. He pulled the unit off and sneered. “You will not be going back, Jinn.” He stuffed the unit in his pack then glanced at her. The penetrating look in his eyes pierced her. She gulped, realizing for one unfogged moment she was really stuck with him. “No.” Sanity worked to take control over her body but the effect was short-lived. His arms came around her and he kissed her. She tried to fight him, use her will to push him away, but Drakkar’s gentle assault overwhelmed her. Her body charged with desire. Standing on her toes, Jinn pulled against the shackles to steady herself and slid her leg up his then wrapped it around his solid thighs. His rigid penis rubbed against her crotch through her pants. The feel of him against her flooded what remained of any common sense she had. His breath labored. His fingers skimmed her back then settled on her ass and kneaded her rear cheeks. Hardly able to stand, she nestled her head into the crook of his neck and purred harder. Nipping her skin, he trailed kisses down her torso, lapping each of her breasts as he passed to move farther down. As he reached her navel, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her pants and slid the covering to her thighs, pressing his lips to each newly exposed area of her heated skin, as if the lowering of the cloth announced each touch he made. When he reached the crux between her legs, he lapped her clit and pushed the leggings to her ankles.

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He licked her nub a few more times then lifted her pants-bound legs to loop over his head. When he settled her thighs on his shoulder, he pushed up on her ass to take the pressure off her arms and leaned her against the bark of the tree, cradling her butt in his palms. “Aren’t…aren’t you going to take my pants off?” She could barely speak, her nerve endings were so charged with delicious expectation. He chuckled. “Until I can be certain you won’t harm me, I’m keeping you as confined as I can.” He fingered the wetness that oozed from her then coated her anus with it as he plunged his tongue into her, lapping her as his hands squeezed her rear cheeks. “You’re so damn wet,” he murmured. His heated breath caressed her clit and her vagina opening. “And taste so sweet.” His teeth grazed the hood of her labia, gently nipping her bud then suckling her. Her nerve endings fired, her focus completely on his mouth and what he did to her. “Oh, Drakkar.” She arched her hips against his lips, hungering for his touch. “Shatz, it’s been too long.” Ecstasy gripped her. Moans from her heightened arousal came unbidden from her lips, the sound rising with each panting breath. She could feel the peak come, the surge of desire that would crest only with his touch. Jinn ground her hips against his mouth as the sensation flooded her, coming hard. He took her, pressed his mouth against her nub and suckled until her need for him abated. “Again.” A breeze encroached on their play, caressing her sensitized nipples, her hungry cunt. “Hurry,” she cried. “God’s teeth!” He unlooped her legs and rushed to pull off her boots then her pants, ensuring she didn’t strain against her bonds. Once freed, he looped her legs over his shoulders again and licked her sex as he unfastened his fly, letting his cock spring forth. “I want to suck on you too,” she breathed. Rubbing his hands along her butt, he stood, letting her legs loop over his arms. Grasping her thighs, he positioned them around his waist then cradled her with one arm as he brushed the loose strands of hair from her face. Reaching for the tie to her ponytail, he pulled the band loose, letting her hair tumble down her back and shoulders. He eased her down him and stepped back, eyeing her as she teetered on the front pads of her feet, scanning her from head to crotch, his penis quivering at attention, the wanting in his gaze stirring her more. “You are mine, Jinn of Svendia. Say it.” Her body craved his touch. She whined with need but if she said that she would commit herself to the union. “I…” “Say it,” he gritted out between heavy breaths. Stepping to her, he leaned his arm against the tree over her head for a moment then grasped her legs. He loosely encircled his body with them then wrapped an arm around her waist to control her hips. Taking his penis in his other hand, he rubbed the padded tip of the hard shaft against her clit

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then skimmed the opening to her labia. Drakkar only let the very top glide into her before he pulled the tip out to massage her bud again. Her hips arched to him, toward his crotch, seeking completion. Her nerve endings pained with unrequited fulfillment. “Say it, Jinn,” he whispered against her neck and suckled her earlobe, continuing to stroke against her. “Can’t. Would…be…disloyal…” Perspiration beaded on his forehead from his struggle. “You must. I want you to agree to stay with me on Vulgaria. To raise our children together there.” “Mmmm.” She arched even more with the need for his penetration but he pulled away before she could encompass his rod with her flesh. “Please.” The demand spiraled within her. “I have to.” He suckled her breast then teased her cunt with his penis again as the arm that held her garnered greater control on her hips. “Say it.” The calmness in his voice bespoke his confidence. He knew he had won. She squeezed her eyes shut and let the moisture form in her eyes, knowing she could not outlast him. “I…am…yours.” She wanted to cry—until he plunged into her. Her body flooded with a sense she had never known. More than a climax. A completion. Deep inside, she couldn’t lie to herself. He was her match. He pumped into her. Her orgasm spiraled higher. The muscles in her vagina squeezed against him as he penetrated her, stroking a spot inside she had never felt so intensely. His groans surrounded her, making her peak. Her cry of satisfaction rent the air. Again, he stroked. Louder, she cried for him. “Drakkar!” Her climax surged into her like rolling thunder. She screamed one final time then collapsed against him. He arched against her clit and growled as he came—hard and fast. Cradling her, he nestled his face in her neck, panting. She buried her head into his chest and blubbered like a child, the feel of him so overwhelming and the thought of her betrayal taking her so deeply. His lips caressed her hair, kissing her, holding her close. For a moment, silence reigned. He ran his fingers through her long tresses. “Shhh.” He held her tight as if to protect and comfort her. “It will be all right, Jinn. I promise.” “My family. I’ll never see them again.” She couldn’t look at her enemy but she relished the feel of him. Even now, he made her body tingle. He crooked his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. “I hope that isn’t true.” His lips brushed hers. “I hope…”

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His gaze grew guarded. He shook his head. “For the moment, let’s pray the truce remains and our people can find a compromise. In the meantime…” His arm came around her butt. He lifted her and unhooked her hands. With her legs wrapped around his waist, he cradled her in his arms. “I have some making up to do with you. We need to get to know one another.” His deep gaze penetrated her spirit. “I intend to make love to you again, Jinn of Svendia. Until you are thoroughly sated.” She hiccupped. “How…do…you know I am not?” His coy smile ignited her again. “You are my mate. How can I not?” Then he sweetly plundered her mouth and she knew, enemy or no, her need for him was as great as her need to breathe. A signal came from her comm unit in his belt. Drakkar clamped his hand over her mouth. “Don’t say a word.” The sound died. Freeing her mouth, he quickly activated his own comm and hailed his ship, then shifted her hips so he could stuff his penis in his pants. “Captain?” a deep voice asked. “Khariton, get us out of here.” “No,” Jinn protested and shook her head as fear enveloped her. “Roger,” the voice confirmed. Jinn felt the warmth of the teleporter beam. In moments they materialized on Drakkar’s ship, the symbol of the Intrepid shining on the exit door of the dock to welcome them. A large man in Vulgarian uniform stood behind the standalone console. A young, dark-haired, female warrior stood next to him, her hands clasped behind her back, a smug grin on her face as she teetered to her toes then back down on her heels again. “I see you were successful in your pursuit, Captain.” Drakkar scowled then ignored her. “Jorg, get someone down there to mop up. Her things are spread between Rurik’s woman’s place and the point you beamed us from.” “Yes, sir.” He looked away and rapidly pressed some buttons. With her in his arms, Drakkar walked off the landing platform. The woman blocked their exit and eyed Jinn from her disheveled hair to her naked backside. “I see you chased the landing team away in time. Your plans have shaped up nicely, Brother— even with the change.” “Out of my way, Kaia.” She snorted. “You aren’t going to introduce me?” He spoke through his gritted teeth. “Not at the moment.” Jinn’s gaze narrowed as she looked from the woman to the man who held her. “You planned this?” “Not exactly.” Scowling, he clenched Jinn to him. Suddenly, the ship rocked. Alarms sounded.

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“The Svendian ship, sir,” Jorg reported. “Bridge,” Drakkar cussed and went with Jinn to the console. “Cloak and take evasive measures.” “Aye, sir,” a disembodied voice echoed into the room. “Underway.” “Computer. On screen.” The attacker came into view on the computer monitor. The ship had Svendian lines. “Couldn’t be.” Jinn stared at the screen, confused. “Rurik wouldn’t attack you in neutral territory. Not with the truce. And he’s the only one in this sector.” “Thank you for confirming that.” “No.” She shook her head in protest. “He wouldn’t. I swear. And there’s no way he knows I’m gone yet. He has no reason.” Jinn felt the ship careen to avoid a direct hit. “You can tell him that—if you see him again,” Drakkar growled and spun with her. “Khariton, hail the Punisher. Tell my future brother-in-law that I have his sister.” “Aye, Captain,” the deep voice from the bridge responded. Jinn’s eyes narrowed with hatred. “You bastard. You planned to use me as a hostage all along,” she hissed through her clenched teeth, steamed. His eyes narrowed as he stared at her, a mocking sneer on his face. “Welcome to the Intrepid, Beloved,” he snarled, then stomped out the door with her bare butt in his arms.

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Chapter Ten The ship finally stopped shaking. Trista stared at the ceiling and gave a deep sigh of relief. So far they survived. Unable to resist, she’d watched the battle with morbid fascination while the computer tried to educate her. Finally, she couldn’t handle any more distraction and simply stared at the screen, mesmerized by the events she saw, cheering and grateful when Rurik had the enemy on the run. She wasn’t a drinker but she seriously considered asking the computer to fix her a stiff one to steady her already shot nerves. Squeezing her eyes shut, she rubbed her aching head. They’d taken some hard hits. She knew part of the bulkhead was damaged but the computer had told her both Hunter and Rurik were safe. Thank God. She continually worried about Hunter, and even though she’d been miffed with Rurik, she’d come to the realization she didn’t want to face the possibility of life without him. Trista swerved in the seat and stared at the screen again. Through her short period of education, she’d discovered a great deal. At least, enough to keep her mind off the battle for a few sparse moments. Per the official record, Rurik had been to Earth several times. Unofficially, he’d been there even more. Since he visited her area, she could only assume he’d been to see her. The computer even relayed some of Rurik’s personal journal. At least about the time he’d made first contact with her. He had written at the time that, after their first joining, he knew she was his mate—a coupling, from his description, that she well remembered. Her body burned thinking about their youthful tryst. Her breath hastened as she remembered. Rurik had stood on the shore, watching her. He’d caught her nude, swimming alone in a pond near her family’s home under the light of a full moon. At first she thought him an illusion but when she woke up on the shore naked, she realized he’d been a dream—some Adonis who had come from the ether to make sweet love to her. Well, she had thought him a dream. She frowned. That must have been when she got pregnant with Hunter. And he had been to Earth many times after that. Her scowl deepened. Why had he not taken her away and completed the ritual claiming? It couldn’t have been because of her marriage to Seth. It was obvious he didn’t think it a true marriage. After all was said and done, neither did she. The computer was clear on the physical nature of the rite. A primal instinct let the Svendians know what mate was theirs. And when they bonded, the desire for anyone else went away, unless something happened to the spouse. Of course, this was if they bonded because of the need. If a Svendian bonded because of another reason, like 117

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having the responsibility of the second man as Alaric had done, then there were other rules that covered the couple, laws that were needed in case one of the partners found the mate that their biology drove them to. Trista had rolled her eyes at that and thought the laws were overly complex but she understood the reasoning. Ages ago, the quest for longer lives neutered the race to an extent and the intense drive to secure a mate was lost in all those except the ones who could procreate. Since the need to repopulate was critical, they needed to do something more than depend on their biology. But this crinkle developed other social ills. As few men could sire, and even fewer women were fertile, the ones who could procreate became the leaders of the various clans, forcing the sterile into lesser positions, although there were occasions where an infertile person had risen to power. The other offshoot was that any woman who could have children was venerated— except their life had to be dedicated to having children, which limited what jobs they did. Unless, of course, they were finished having children. Trista started to understand why Rurik’s sister didn’t care for bonding much less the ceremony. Without fertility, a woman had more leeway to choose what to do with her life. And since Jinn was a warrior, she must be incapable of having offspring as the society forbade a woman who could bear children from fighting. The Svendians wouldn’t risk losing a female who could have more Svendians. Not that the ones who couldn’t reproduce didn’t seek sex intensely. As she personally discovered, these were some very sex-hungry people. She glanced at her adorned body in the mirror. In her eyes, the clothing she wore was meant to seduce. Although that was true in the Svendian world as well, the garb was also meant as an honor. Rurik had said as much. And the fabric and cut also allowed easy access to mating. Face it, Trista. The damn clothes were meant for you to get fucked whenever Rurik was in the mood. Or if she was. She pressed her hands down the length of her body, feeling herself from her breasts to her thighs. Wearing these garments made her feel sexy, made her crave his touch even more. Hell. She felt her ass through the fine fabric. There’s no underwear with this, for heaven’s sake. She moaned. Her body tingled with the remembrance of his caress. She ran her palm down the seamless sheer fabric, feeling her curves and the strength of her abs, thinking of his hands on her, studying how she must look to him. She had been physically older before the body restoration. Sometime during their lovemaking, Rurik had told her he lusted after her, no matter how aged she looked. It was why he was absorbed while staring at her in the woods, unaware of a danger that should not have existed. Earth was neutral ground according to him. Now he was bent on finding the perpetrator. The Vulgarian who threatened the truce.

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Straightening, she tried not to think about politics or the war. Instead she studied the youthful lines of her body, curious about how the Svendian technology worked— especially how she could now be so much younger. Her physical self had been restored to about her early thirties in Earth years. She didn’t understand the Svendian way of measuring time but she knew Alaric had estimated she was about three hundred and thirty-three in comparison with her home planet. How could that be? Did Svendians really live that long? She’d read in the data files about the ancestors, about how several races settled the Earth then forgot about their original ancestry. The tech-advanced races let it be, allowing the settlers their most treasured wish—to be left alone to live a simple life. Mostly, it was the humanoid ones who stayed, as Earth favored their physical chemistry. Yet many came. Just to visit. The planet was actually a galactic preserve of some kind. In later notes, Trista read there was an underground swell of those who wanted all humanoids taken off the planet due to the detrimental effects they were having, some that were irreversible. Trista took that note to mean that the tech-advanced peoples felt the planet was endangered by the pollution of the human populace. She wondered if these people knew how Earthers felt about it, because several of them would have agreed. Standing, she looked at herself again in the mirrored wall. Although she’d never felt better, she wondered how she would fit into this life. Rurik had been alive for centuries in her time, yet her life experience was only fifty. Worse yet, she was totally ignorant of his world. What would she do? What could she do that would benefit these people and give her a sense of completeness? She let her hands drift over her taut thighs and across her near-naked ass. Regardless of how much better she looked or how much younger she now was, she wanted to be more than a brood mare. She grimaced. She was fertile again, that much she knew. Alaric’s notes on her said that. Besides, wasn’t that the point of the bonding ritual? To have children? But she’d had two already. What did these people expect? More importantly, what did Rurik want from her? She bit her lip. On Earth, she had begun to establish a new life, one she enjoyed. Now Rurik had yanked Hunter and her away and into something that she, at least, wasn’t at all prepared for. There was one thing she knew, though. Whatever happened, whatever was decided, she wanted a deeper purpose for her life. Plus some panties. The door swooshed open behind her. “Nasgorov’s ship is primarily female. It’s why I put your aunt there. To keep her out of trouble.” Rurik’s voice drifted to her. Hunter chuckled. 119

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Trista swerved to face the two men in her life as they marched into the room. “I wouldn’t mind visiting their ship,” Hunter said. He was flush with excitement. With the nearness of Rurik—and the fact she was naked underneath the shift—the nub at the cleft of her sex tingled again. She crossed her arms and felt her nipples grow rigid, yearning for his touch. Whether she was Svendian or not, there was certainly something about his biology that hooked her. She needed him to explain himself and for her to set her limits. After all, the man had disrupted everything in her and Hunter’s lives. She fought her basic urge to screw him and prepared to do battle of her own. “About time you came to get me. With all the activity, I really didn’t appreciate being left alone.” “Uh-oh.” Hunter stopped in his tracks next to his father. Trista stared between the two of them and wondered why she’d never realized the similarity. “I’ve seen that look before,” Hunter muttered to Rurik. “I think we’re in trouble.” “Not you, Hunter.” Trista scowled. Rurik looked from her to their son. “What did I do?” Hunter shrugged, as bewildered as Rurik was. Trista didn’t know where to start. Hell, everything was so different, so new. She didn’t know how to feel. She glared and stepped toward him. “Besides an explanation of what you’ve been doing all these years while I was raising your son and possibly your daughter, I want underwear.” “Whoa.” Hunter backed up. “TMI, Mom.” He slapped Rurik on the back. “TMI?” Rurik’s brows knitted. Trista appreciated his confusion—and enjoyed every second of his discomfort. After all, turnabout was fair play. “I think I’ll head to sickbay now,” Hunter said. “Alaric’s been waiting to get his hands on me.” Rurik cleared his throat. “As I said, he’ll rejuvenate your body as well, get rid of the bacteria and viruses that age Earthers so fast. It will take some time but you’ll have a full life with us. I promise.” He paused and Trista thought he’d choked up a bit. “I want to spend more time with you,” he said in a softer tone. “Interning on Nasgorov’s ship might be good for you.” Hunter snorted. “Yeah.” He waggled his brows. “Based on what you’ve said, it sounds like something I’d enjoy. Another eight hundred or so years of that? I think I can handle it.” He glanced askance at Trista as if he just remembered his mother was there, then studied her. “You look great, Mom. Better than I’ve seen you in a long time.” A concerned expression hovered in his eyes. “I love you,” he whispered then bent over and kissed her cheek. “Since you two have something to discuss, I’ll talk to you later.” He paused and lifted the corner of his mouth, something she’d seen him do since he was a youth. The same tilt of his lips that she’d seen Rurik do since she’d been there. “And I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” He looked at Rurik from the corner of his eye a

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moment and smirked. “Don’t be too hard on him. I think he meant well.” Their son swerved then strode out the door. Trista wondered how Hunter could forgive the man who now stood in front of her, so easily. She swallowed and glared at Rurik. Left alone with a guy she hardly knew yet had committed her life to, she felt—odd. And more confused than ever. Nearing, Rurik took her in his arms and kissed the soft strands of hair at her temple. “I’m sorry Mother left you alone.” He sighed. “Beloved, there’s so much I wish to say. So much I regret. I would have taken you with me from the first, but between the war and the council…” He cleared his throat again. “I didn’t want to risk your life or put you through the political struggles.” “Then why now?” She wanted to cry—for all the lost time, for the time she’d spent alone raising the children. Things she’d dreamed and now found were true. His eyes narrowed with pain. “I was close to getting the full council approval. I came to Earth in anticipation of that, hoping, but then you were wounded. I couldn’t leave you.” Just being held by him made her want. “If you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have been wounded and I would have gone my own way in peace. Why? Why didn’t you simply leave me alone?” He held her to him. “I couldn’t. You are my mate.” He took her mouth with his. “The claiming is more than a ritual,” he said against her lips. “A Svendian knows his woman by her scent.” She covered his lips with her fingers. “The computer told me all about it. I know. Yet somehow you found the will to leave me—and then Hunter.” Inside, his abandonment cut deep but she didn’t want him to see her hurt. She was too proud for that. “Only to keep you safe,” he murmured against her skin. “My will to protect you overpowered my mating instinct enough to allow me to leave. You don’t know how hard that was. Yet I couldn’t stay away from you.” “Why me? Why would you want to mate with me?” He shook his head. “I don’t know. No one does. I only know I need you.” She pressed her lips together, afraid to ask the next question yet knowing she must. “Do you love me, Rurik?” It was as if she could read the thoughts of uncertainty going through his mind. “There will be no more deception between us, Beloved. I will not lie to you. Fact is, I do not know. I only know I can’t live without you. You are my life.” Tears pooled in her eyes. She loved him. She’d known that from the first, even when she thought him a dream. Though she didn’t know everything about him, something inside had told her during their first encounter what kind of man he was. And that was the man she’d fallen for. But she wanted love in return. After Seth, she’d

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had enough of a loveless life. She blinked to chase away her pain. “I see.” She wanted to flee from him and give herself some time to put a steel wall around her heart but he held her tight. “I don’t even know you.” Her voice wavered. He nipped the top of her ear. “We will get to know each other. We have the opportunity now.” “The opportunity?” She pulled away and this time he let her go. “Only because of a fluke.” Her voice broke. “I’d prefer to think you cared. It doesn’t get much more than basic instincts with you, does it?” A look of dread seeped into his eyes. “It’s more than that, I swear. I want you, Trista. I need you. I just…” He shook his head. “I don’t understand it myself but I will not tell you an untruth. My whole life has been filled with war and family issues. Responsibilities to the clan and the larger responsibility to the Svendian people. I love my family. You and Hunter are part of that now. But the love of a woman? I don’t know what that means.” Her heart ached for him. For herself. An understanding of what he’d been through eked into her. “How long have you been at war?” Sadness haunted his smile. “Personally? All my life.” He paused and looked away a moment then back at her. “As far as our people, since my grandfather’s time.” “But…” Trista crinkled her brows. “If the Svendians live about the thousand years the computer told me then…” “Yes. It’s been several of your millennia.” He huffed in a low voice. “And the fighting all started over the love of one woman.” “That’s ridiculous.” She grew appalled. How could these advanced people quarrel over something that petty? A grim smile played at the corners of his mouth. “You say that, but after so much bloodshed, it was hard for both sides to turn away. And then there was the issue of breeding. Those who could over those who couldn’t. The Vulgarians and the Svendians were part of the same people at one time but the Vulgarians wanted a more egalitarian governance. Both those who could and those who couldn’t breed would have the right to bond should they so choose, even if one of them were fertile and the other one was not. With our rules, that isn’t true. It’s one of the reasons why there are many more Svendians than there are Vulgarians, although we’ve gotten more liberal about how we exercise them.” “But I thought that if you weren’t fertile you didn’t have a need to bond?” Rurik smirked. “That doesn’t mean that people didn’t want to dedicate their lives to each other.” The issue made no sense as far as she was concerned but what practices in her world rarely did? “I’m not Svendian or Vulgarian,” Trista marveled. “Biology or no, how could you go for me?”

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“Sometimes it works that way. Sometimes I think our biology is smarter than we are.” He took her in his arms again. “You are an Earther, one of the ancients, part of a protected race, at least for now. That’s what I meant by becoming more liberal. It took me a long time to get the council’s blessing, especially to claim one of the ancients. Not that it hasn’t been done in the past.” She frowned. “And you needed that. The council’s blessing.” “Yes.” The struggle he had wrought to get her showed in the lines that formed around his eyes. “Your ancestry is part of the ancient ones, the people before Svendia and Vulgaria separated. As an Earther, by definition, you are of mixed heritage of several humanoid peoples although you’re more Svendian than you realize.” “And that’s important to you?” He shook his head. “Not to me or mine.” He kissed her. “I need you, Trista.” His lips caressed hers. “I want you.” She swallowed her pain. “But you don’t know if you’re ever going to love me.” She huffed. “Sounds like an old rock song.” She held up her head. “Well, at least now I know where I stand.” “I…” He brushed his palm against her face. “We need each other, Trista. I can tell by how you react to me. Is my loving you so important?” The question hurt but she didn’t want to show it. Instead she returned a sad smile. “It’s the only thing that matters.” She wanted to cry but she held herself back. Standing on her toes, she reached to kiss him, took his mouth gently with hers, wanting to be as honest to him as he had to her. “I love you, Rurik. I realized that a long time ago. Otherwise I would have stopped thinking about you and found someone else.” His breathing deepened. “I wish…” “Commander,” the male voice came over the comm system, “another diplomat ship is on the way. They estimate their arrival in about two s-cycles. What’s more, the headmaster is on the ship, along with Sophos.” “Sophos?” Trista could read the irritation in Rurik’s voice. “Hell.” He sighed then studied Trista. “I’ll be there shortly.” “Aye, sir.” The comm died. She wanted to ask about who those people were but he kissed her before she could speak. “I wanted to sleep and hoped that you would spend the time with me.” He kissed her again, more deeply this time. Her nerve endings heated, tossing out any other thought except him and the bed. He pulled away and swallowed. “One of my fondest memories is of you sleeping the night away in my arms.” He pressed his lips into a thin smile. “I’d hoped to relive that now while I could.”

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She stood on her toes again to kiss him. “You will. I promise.” She sighed, wondering where her thoughts were taking her. “There may be hope for you yet.” A quizzical glance breezed over his face then a corner of his lips quirked upward, highlighting his dimples. “Come.” He released her then took her hand. “I should introduce you to the crew, especially my Number One, Bjorn.” He started to walk her to the door but stopped and swerved. “Have you eaten?” She laughed. “Yes.” Putting her arms around him, she kissed him again. “I know Alaric has been after you about that but Andromeda showed me how to use the computer. I’ve had quite enough, thanks. At least enough not to pass out anymore.” “Thank the ancestors.” His arm came around her rear and lifted her into him, pressing her body flush with his. His hard cock settled against her mons. Passion fired through every sinew in her body. Her labia grew wet. “Oh.” Her eyes fluttered shut as she strained to focus on something besides sex, but after resting her arms on his shoulders, she pulled herself up and wrapped her legs around him. “Rurik,” she purred, wanting and needing him with an urgency she’d come to savor. “I know.” His voice thickened with desire as he cradled his arms under her. “You told that man you’d be coming,” she panted, nipping his neck and then his earlobe. He chuckled. “Yeah, I didn’t know how right I was.” He kneaded her rear cheeks with his fingers and strode toward the door. “But…” She eyed him with dread. “We can’t. Not out there. I don’t want to expose myself again. I’ve done enough of that.” He smirked. “We’ll be the only ones in the transporter.” He ran a finger over the fabric along the crack of her ass. The end of every nerve in her screamed for satisfaction. She moaned and rubbed her clit against him. “The transporter is too fast.” Her heart raced. He laughed softly against the strands of her hair. “I’ll make sure it lasts as long as we need but I have a feeling it won’t have to be too long. You’re about there.” She gasped, knowing it was true. His smell, even his husky voice, stirred her. She swallowed and gazed at him. Only with him could she be so uninhibited. “Rurik.” She covered his mouth with hers, tasting him, capturing his lips with her lips. “Love me.” His hand slid underneath the silky cloth of her dress and skimmed along her leg to her naked ass. He fingered her wet vagina from the rear as his tongue took over the assault she’d started on his mouth. “Ohh.” Trista closed her eyes, loving the feel of his hard body flush with hers. She heard a portal slide open. Rurik stepped into the transporter. “Hold, and no comments,” he ordered and buried his head into the length of hair that fell at her neck. “Trista,” he breathed, “I know you’re not used to our ways, but God’s teeth, I need you now.” Leaning her against the wall, he shoved the fabric off her shoulders far enough to remove one of her

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breast shields. Taking her erect nipple in his mouth, he suckled it. Her need for him spiraled higher. “Rurik, I want you inside me.” Awkwardly, she fingered the waistband of his pants. “How in hell does this work?” He chuckled as he straightened. Holding her ass in one hand, he yanked out his hard penis through the slit in the front. “This will do.” He stroked the tip against her wet labia. She arched into him, took all of him in one swoop. A breathy moan escaped her. The sides of her vagina pressed against him as he pulsated within her. Then he moved, slowly at first. “Trista.” He pumped harder. Her shoulders rested against the cool wall and he screwed her, pumping her hard. He bent over and took her breast in his mouth again and suckled. Using his teeth, he removed the other shield and took that nipple with his mouth as well, leaving the other nub wet and cooling in the circulating air. The wildness of what they did hit her full force, escalating the intensity of her pleasure. She panted with abandon as she let herself feel him—the arousing stroke of his thrusts, the caress of his tongue, his warm exhalations on her skin. He may not love her but he knew how to love. Would that be enough? She dashed the thought from her mind, not wanting to think. Only to feel. His teeth grazed the tip of her breast. With one arm holding her hips against him, his thumb rubbed her clit. Her passion spiraled. The intensity heightened to an almost unbearable degree. “Rurik,” she gasped. “I’m here, Beloved.” He pumped harder. “Oh.” She arched into him as she came, resting her head against the wall, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Grasping her to him, he plunged a few more times then his voice rumbled as he found his own pleasure. Kissing her temple, he laughed softly once more and held her tight against him. “You know, when you come, it stirs me even more. I love hearing you.” She giggled and laved the skin of his neck. “Mmmm, I like hearing you, too.” “Yeah?” Grinning like a boy, he looked down on her, the lust still in his gaze. “Now, about that underwear you wanted…” She did her best to glare at him and scowl. “You’re not playing fair.” She nipped his skin. He threw back his head and laughed. “What is that Earther saying? All’s fair in love and war.” “Careful, Rurik.” She poked him with her forefinger. “Or you might have both events to deal with from me, my bondsmate.”

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The warmth and intense desire in his look made her catch her breath. Never had anyone looked at her so. He cherished her. That was clear. Could he love her? She licked her lips. The lust in his eyes deepened. He exhaled a slow breath. “Don’t tempt me again, woman.” The corner of his mouth rose. “I need to go to work.” Her passion fired again. She arched a brow. “Work?” He laughed and lowered her feet to the floor, straightening her garb. “I’ll make the introductions short.” When he’d put her back together again and fixed his own clothes, he ordered the computer to take them to the bridge. The insolent woman’s voice the computer used sounded miffed. Trista chuckled and lifted her head, confident in her well-being. Wanting to tease him, she cleared her throat. “Keep this kind of thing up, Rurik, and I might reconsider the underwear.” He let out a laugh from his gut then slapped her on the ass. “Hey!” She rubbed her stinging derriere. Bending over, he kissed her and rubbed the spot he’d smacked—right when the door slid open. “Greetings, Commander.” The broad-shouldered man she’d seen when she’d first fallen onto the bridge met them. He bowed his head once to her, then straightened and smiled. “Welcome, Trista, now of Svendia.” Everyone stood. All eyes focused on her. Trista gulped, not used to being the center of attention. With Rurik so close, she hadn’t given a thought about anything or anyone else. Nervousness shook her. What would these people think? Taking her by the elbow, Rurik escorted her onto the bridge. As if on cue, everyone bowed their heads. The act, she knew, was the Svendian way of honoring a fertile woman. Trista held her breath, unused to such display, especially concerning her. If anything, her ex had made sure she’d felt the opposite. “Crew, may I present my bondsmate,” Rurik gazed at her with pride and desire, “Trista of Svendia.” He bent over and kissed her. The room erupted with cheers. Trista smiled as Rurik held her. Never before had she felt so ravished, so wanted or so free.

***** The woman’s nude, limp form captured his interest. Cassius stood by his bed and watched. For how long, he knew not, but he had never seen an Earther up close and the study enticed him.

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Examining her, he memorized the lines of her body, the trimmed hairs that protruded from the mound to her sex. The tan lines that outlined and highlighted the more erogenous parts of her. Interesting culture. To cover themselves so. Indeed, the ancients were more modest by far. He rubbed the stubble on his chin, deep in thought, and let a smile touch his lips, appreciating the sight of her fresh innocence. Inches from her, he let his hands hover over her, moving slowly from her wellformed feet to her thighs and the cleft between her legs. Warmth radiated from her, sexual need—unfulfilled lust. He could sense it. Straightening, he gazed down on her, letting his own form react to her, enough to enjoy the feel of his penis pulsing but not enough for anyone to take notice. He so rarely had the opportunity to appreciate sex for its own sake, for his own pleasure. And, although unaware, he appreciated her participation in this treasured moment. Her lips twitched. As if she were kissing someone. He smiled, watching them, and glanced lower. Right now, she slept with her knees together. Earlier, as she struggled in the land of Morpheus, she’d spread her legs. The wet shades of pink that graced her sex were seductive to him. The juices from her self-play that had stirred from her body had coated her. He inhaled again to engrain the heady scent in his memory. She moaned and turned on his bed, exposing her lush hips and tight ass to him. He loved her curves. They were a thing of beauty, a deeply sensual work of art to be sought after. She turned again, this time toward him. He watched her. With purpose, he had dropped the room’s temperature to gauge her reaction. Although asleep, he wanted to know her sexual triggers while he had the chance. Part of the reason was selfish. If he had the opportunity, he would finish what she’d started for herself on the beach. He blamed part of that desire on his training. He’d been taught to pleasure, to understand the sexual needs of those he took in. She rolled onto her back, exposing her sex again and all that surrounded it. Her vaginal opening grew slicker. He could smell the thickening of her scent. He gazed at the rest of her. Her shapely long legs and delicate arms were muscular but not overly so—yet she was not too lean. Fact was her lush body would beckon any man. He figured her fitness must be from the amount of swimming she did. Craddock had said she studied life in the ocean. An oceanographer. The headmaster had been following her life a long time from a distance. She mumbled as her chest rose and fell like the waves she must swim in. The pink nipples of her small, milky breasts stood erect in the cool air of his room. He wanted to lick them, take them in his mouth and give her pleasure. He shut his eyes and shook his head at the stupidity of his thoughts. No matter what else the headmaster felt, she was his niece. Craddock would never allow it. Craddock. The insufferable man. Cassius only counted the days until his service to the headmaster was complete. Then he would retire and seek his own pleasure. 127

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Mercedes moaned in her sleep, a pregnant sigh that spoke of sex and unrequited longing. With the sound, a part of him understood this strange woman. She was alone. Unbonded. So was he. Not that he ever would be. Bonding was not allowed for a creature such as he. Yet Cassius wondered what a normal life would be like, waking up with one such as her every morning. He shook his head. The thought was insane. Normal could never describe his life. Yet the idea played in his head. Unrelenting, the notion mutated and formed. “No, I can’t,” he muttered, his need to survive kicking in. Yet the thought wouldn’t leave him. Cassius swallowed. As things stood, his life was worth nothing to anyone, even himself. Long ago, he’d accepted this. Now his nearing release from servitude and the anticipation of something greater than this miserable existence freed him. He gazed at Mercedes’ sleeping form. “What do you think, my lady?” he whispered. As if in response, she moaned. A teasing smile played at the corners of her mouth. He huffed with a grim smile of his own. Perhaps fate had finally shone on him. Steeling himself for the coming battle, he accepted the risk. Yes. He would have to pay. Dearly. But in the long run, getting what he wanted would be worth it.

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Chapter Eleven Hunter pulled on his pants and looked at the sleeping naked woman, Gilda, with gratitude. It’d been too damn long since he’d had a woman. The war in the desert didn’t allow for it. He’d warned the communications officer he’d been abstinent, that the first time or two were going to be hard and fast and pretty fucking explosive, but she didn’t seem to care. They ended up screwing a few times. Then tiredness overtook her. She’d worked double shifts because of the attacks and needed sleep. Before she passed out, she invited him back any time he wanted, reassuring him it wasn’t because he was the commander’s son, and asked him to stay until she slept soundly. With all the danger, she didn’t want to be alone. He understood that only too well. He ran a hand through his hair. He’d done what he could to get her off. She came a few times and seemed to appreciate his efforts well enough, but with these people, he really wasn’t sure. Fuck, the only thing he knew was that he enjoyed the hell out of it. Smiling, he tossed the rest of his old uniform on and strode out the door. Charged from the attacks and from the newness of this all, he took his time getting to sickbay. Damn, E.T. was his father. A powerful E.T., at that. If Hunter hadn’t been through all the crap he had over the last few years, he would have been overwhelmed. He certainly understood how his mom felt. This place was too friggin’ unreal. He huffed and shook his head, reeling from the feel of it all. “Fuck, I’m living in Star Trek land and my dad is the commander.” That still threw him. That the guy whose sperm contributed to his being born was a kind of royalty to these people. But the man had earned Hunter’s respect on the bridge. Hunter didn’t know much about this new world or how they operated, yet he’d been in enough battles to be able to gauge the danger. Rurik was one tough dude. Hunter strolled down the corridor. Now that he had his basic needs taken care of, he explored as much as he could. Hell, it was clear that the ship was open to him. He was the commander’s son. Finally, after visiting the recreation wing and having some of what the crew said was a Ploruvian beer, he made it to sick bay—with his head attached, thankfully. The beer proved to have quite a kick. He whistled, lost in thought as he walked in and heard somebody scrambling. He looked around, curious as to the commotion, and tried not to stagger. Alaric stood broad-shouldered between two clear-covered beds with a woman behind him. He could tell by the slim arms. The lady seemed to be pulling herself together.

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“Sorry.” Hunter shrugged. “Didn’t mean to interrupt. I came for treatment.” “Hunter?” Andromeda peeked around the large man. Alaric rolled his eyes. “Nana?” Seeing her behind the healer took him for a loop. He hoped she couldn’t tell he’d been drinking. He put his hand over his mouth, trying to make it look like he rubbed his chin, but he took a sniff to see if he could smell the beer on his breath. Fuck, he hoped not. His mom was already pissed. He didn’t want his newfound grandmother upset, too. She cleared her throat. “It-it isn’t what it seems. Really.” “The hell it isn’t,” Alaric protested. Hunter snorted, grateful the onus was off him. “Hey, it isn’t any of my business. Besides, you folks have a different way of looking at things, although I don’t see anything wrong with it.” Then he had a thought. “Er, does my padre know about this?” Alaric exhaled long and loud. “I’m going to tell him. Your grandmother and I are going to be bonded.” “You’re shitting me.” Hunter straightened. “Alaric, perhaps I should tell Rur—” Andromeda said. “No.” The healer looked over his shoulder and glanced at her. “That’s for me to do. I’m his friend. He’ll understand this better from me.” “Right,” Hunter snickered, thinking Alaric wanted to get the fight over with in private as Rurik was going to beat the hell out of him before he accepted any of this. He hoped neither man got battered too badly but thought it’d be a good fight to watch. The men were friends, and pretty evenly matched size-wise. Hunter cleared his throat. “You know, I’d wait to tell him if I were you. I’m pretty good at reading Mom. Trust me. He’s already got his hands full. She wants to know what the hell he’s been doing all these years and why he left her to raise us kids alone.” “Oh dear.” Andromeda eased from behind the healer while smoothing the fabric of her shift. Alaric glared at her. “Don’t even think about interfering.” “But—” “No. He’s a big boy. He’ll figure it out by himself. Meanwhile…” Alaric took the few steps to Hunter and grasped his arm. “I have you to fix. There’s nothing that will interfere at this point.” Hunter eyed the healer and then his grandmother. “This isn’t going to hurt, is it? I’ve had enough wounds over the last few months. I’d rather not feel anything.” Alaric sniffed the air a few times. “From the smell of you, I think you’ve had enough anesthetic. I doubt you’re feeling anything right now. Been trying some Ploruvian beer?” “Ah,” Hunter stumbled.

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Alaric smiled and shook his head. “Trust me, son. You won’t feel a thing. And I can remove any, ah, changes you’ve made to yourself if you want. I understand there’s an interesting design on your arm.” “The tat?” He scowled. “It’s corny but that stays. As a reminder.” Alaric nodded as if he understood then arched a black brow. “What about the scars? Jinn told me you have a few.” Hunter thought about it then thought about how Gilda got wet seeing them. “Naw.” He shrugged. “From what I can tell, they’re a babe magnet with the Svendian gals. I think I’ll keep ‘em. At least for now.” Alaric laughed until Andromeda stood next to him and elbowed the healer in the side. “Ah.” Alaric rubbed his aching ribs. “Maybe you better come with me. This won’t take long.”

***** Trista couldn’t think around him. That was clear. Instead of talking to Rurik about the things that bothered her, that were important to her, she was instead fucking him in public places, something she would have never taken the risk to do with anyone else. And yet there has so much to tell him, so much to discuss. Trista closed her eyes as she lay on the bed in Rurik’s quarters. No, correct that— their quarters. He had told her what was his was hers, but hell, what about the things she had? Her life was in the small cabin in the woods. Everything she valued had been left on Earth. Pictures of her children, her mother’s ring, her father’s old war medals… A quilt her grandmother had made her as a child. She treasured those things. She wanted them. She wanted to be able to pass them on someday. Alone for the moment, she sighed, trying to get over the odd sensations pelting her. The deep sexual yearnings, the numb feeling that she lived in a dream. The fear when Rurik was gone that she would never fit into this life. The sense that she had no control whatsoever over whom she was and what she lived for. She grimaced at that. Confused. Wondering how things could have spiraled out of whack so badly. She inhaled a deep breath. Rurik had been called away for a private conversation over the ship’s communication system with his uncle, the headmaster of their council. The headmaster. Shit. Trista figured that was like their president. Good lord, what had she gotten herself into? No. She corrected herself. Not her. Rurik. She stared at the ceiling. At least in the peace and quiet of the room she could appreciate the respite from all the attention and, for once have the ability to think. On Earth, she liked her private life, relished being alone. Yet now she was bonded to some 131

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man in some culture that she knew nothing about, exposed to the whole world. Hell, make that the galaxy. She prayed the equivalent of the paparazzi didn’t exist out here. She didn’t think she could handle the scrutiny. There was no way she was prepared for this. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. He said she would be well taken care of. Thing was, she didn’t want to be taken care of, not like some object. She was an intelligent Earth-born woman with the ability to take care of herself, thank you very much. At least on her home planet. How was she going to get that across to Rurik? He seemed determined to look after her. Even so, she wanted more than that. She wanted love. And he was very clear about that. He didn’t love her. At least, not the way she wanted because Rurik had made it plain he didn’t know what love was. It was obvious he didn’t think the emotion important. She squeezed her eyes shut this time, trying to get over the pain she felt from his truthfulness. In her dreams, she had imagined him loving her in return, not just physically, but from the heart. Now, as with everything else, reality smacked her in the face. If things went the way they were supposed to, Rurik and she would spend several hundred more years together. Could she live that long with a man who didn’t return her affection? Popping her eyes open again, she stared at the ceiling as if it held an answer. Getting no response, she bent her arm and plopped it over her face. Thing was, how could she tell him these things? Whenever he was around, it all came down to sex. And although she wanted to talk to him about it, she couldn’t help herself. Her body yearned for him to carnally complete her. Yet she had to have more. She wanted a man she could trust to share her innermost secrets with. A man who would not only be her lover and mate but her best friend. She’d had it with screwball relationships where she couldn’t be herself or do what she wanted. Tears welled in her eyes. She tried but she couldn’t stop them. The thought of leaving him made her misty. “Geez, I must be hormonal.” She pressed the palms of her hands against her sockets. “Oh, Trista, what are you going to do?” To spend several hundred more years with a man who didn’t love her seemed like torture. She rolled off the bed and stood, looking into the mirrored wall, and wondered, Is this the life I want? She knew it wasn’t. The twenty-five loveless years with Seth were enough to tell her that. Somehow she had to face Rurik and tell him. She loved him but, in the end, she couldn’t live with him. Not if it meant he couldn’t love her. A kind of peace settled inside her with the decision, and with it, the realization the person she’d been struggling against the most all these years had been herself. Deep inside, she’d known what she wanted years ago but she never had the wherewithal to 132

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allow it to come to reality. In this new world, her eyes had been opened. The time had come to stop denying her life and the truth of it. Heartbroken, yet knowing what she had to do, she undressed and crawled under the bedcovers, wrestling with how to deal with her newest dilemma—that of striking out to make her life the way she wanted it. Sure, there were wrinkles to iron out. Hunter was here now and he seemed to embrace his father’s life. Then there was Rurik’s sister. She’d been sent to get Mercedes. Jinn should be back with her soon. Her daughter and her son would then be embroiled in the mess her heart had led her into. What to do? She loved Rurik but she couldn’t live with a man who didn’t return her affection. Yet she couldn’t leave her children. They were her life. Closing her eyes, she prayed for an answer, for some deliverance. None came. Frustrated and exhausted from the dangers of the day. She gnawed at her bottom lip and let her tears flow.

***** The pounding had stopped. Frustrated, Jinn glared at the ceiling from under the covers of Drakkar’s bed, wondering how much damage they’d sustained. And how long Drakkar would be gone from her. Her breasts tingled, yearned for his touch. She squeezed her eyes shut in pain, tortured with the knowledge that her body reacted in such a way, knowing she’d be labeled a traitor now. Her body had forsaken her. How could she have let her guard down so badly? How could this have happened? She used her teeth to worry her upper lip. Somehow the Vulgarian captain had sensed her fertility through the infusion she’d used to cover it. How, she didn’t know. The solution she drank had always worked before. She flinched with the thought, knowing there was no explanation. Although she hated the man, Drakkar was right. Their bodies had decided for them. Hell, even when he entered the transporter after leaving the teleporter dock, she wanted him. And he wanted her. She could tell. He’d seethed with sexual frustration. It was why she’d been stuck, locked away in his room. He needed to concentrate on the battle and he didn’t want to get distracted with her on the bridge. She rubbed her wrists. He’d dumped her off there until he could return, she assumed, so he could fulfill his promise—to ensure she was thoroughly sated. At least he’d removed the shackles. Her clit thrummed at the image of his body warming hers but she forced her logic to overcome it. His action to sequester her had been risky. During an attack, a captain was needed on the bridge. The delay could have cost him. Could have cost them all. She was on his ship now. Her life rested in the hands of Drakkar as much as everyone else’s, though Drakkar must have felt the gamble worth it. Could he really not resist her to that great a degree? 133

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Jinn didn’t know. She’d forgotten her lessons about fertile men and women and about those who were drawn to each other by the claiming. After her father’s death, her mission had been clear. Privately, she’d sworn to revenge her sire. She grimaced at the thought. At one time Drakkar had been part of her plan, but now she had to question that. The Galactic Quorum had cleared him of any wrongdoing, even though her uncle and brother were still adamant that Drakkar had been behind the attack. But Drakkar had said he was not involved. For whatever reason, Jinn believed him. Still, whoever the architect of the assault had been still escaped detection. She was forsworn to see that issue rectified and she would not stop until she found the perpetrator’s blood. That was the issue that had overridden any other lesson, the reason why now she was so illprepared to be mated. Once she’d determined what she wanted in life, she’d ignored anything that would not aid her in her quest. It made no sense to learn these things, especially when she discovered such a simple solution to the dilemma of her scent from a sidebar in a history lesson. She’d even tested the solution on a very virile friend of hers after perfecting her results during a short trip to Earth—a friend who had been killed in the war some time after that. She sighed, knowing all she had accomplished now was moot. Drakkar had claimed her. She was sure he would make it known to both the Svendian and Vulgarian councils. He would use the information to make whatever gain for himself he had planned. How could she deny it? Suspecting the worst, part of her would love to thwart the man’s plans. Scowling, she wondered what he had up his sleeve. He seemed determined to blame these attacks on Rurik but she knew better—especially now. Even after the Intrepid had hailed the other ship, the attack hadn’t stopped. Which only proved her point. Rurik would never have put her life at risk, not for revenge anyway. And she knew he was holding the truce. With the unwarranted attacks, Rurik had only retaliated, even when pressed by the other captains to seek the bastards out and destroy them. Her brother didn’t want to be seen as the one who failed the peace. He wanted to prove to the Galactic Quorum that Drakkar was the one responsible. But now she knew that wasn’t the case as well. The ship that attacked the Intrepid had seemingly come from nowhere—exactly like the ones that had attacked her ship and the others under Rurik’s command. So who could be doing this? And how could they have gotten a Svendian ship? She snarled, wanting to get her hands on whoever was responsible. She didn’t have the brilliance of her brother, or the cunning of Drakkar, but she wasn’t stupid. Someone had set the two against each other. Someone who had something to gain by keeping the war going. But who? And how could she convince Drakkar of that? She glanced at the computer. She’d tried accessing it before but it wouldn’t let her do much more than order food or a drink. Drakkar must have locked her out.

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She couldn’t blame him. Mate or no, she was his enemy. His duty was to protect his ship and those who served him. If she could only get a closer look at the attacking vessel. Exasperated, she rose and began to pace. Early on, she’d tossed her ripped blouse off, the only piece of clothing she’d had left, but the cool air on her naked skin chilled her. Vulgaria was a cold planet, whereas Svendia broiled under a blazing sun. She figured Drakkar was used to the cooler clime and kept his quarters that way. Grabbing her torn shirt from the floor, she fashioned a simple wrap for her hips. At least it was something to cover her butt and her muff. She’d been naked with many men, but being exposed in general was new to her. She felt odd parading around like a breeder. A breeder. Shatz, what would happen to her? If she could only get away then she could think clearer, work this through. Get Rurik to listen to her. He could find a way to solve this mystery. The door slid open. Grabbing her breasts to cover them, she swerved and faced the opening. Drakkar stood in the portal, his visage grim. She swallowed, afraid. Did he blame her for what he thought her people did? The green in his eyes deepened. Slowly, he scanned her body from her face to her legs then up again. A wanton smile played about his lips. “You need not cover yourself from me.” He stepped into the room. “I…” She shook her head. “I’m not used to prancing around in the nude. I am warrior trained. I am not a breeder.” He approached. Standing inches away, he stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You are now.” She blinked to control her emotions, the sadness of the loss of her well-planned life depleting her strength. “The ship?” She tried to think of something else besides the closeness of his body. Drakkar’s lips thinned. “We have damage.” His eyes narrowed. “I lost one warrior. A fertile female.” Jinn winced. She’d forgotten the Vulgarians, with the depletion of their male line, allowed fertile females to be warriors. One of the progressive efforts she agreed with that these people had. “I’m sorry to hear that.” “Really?” he scoffed, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Yes.” She’d meant it. “Do you not believe me?” He stared at her a moment then the enmity left his visage. His roughened hands framed her face. “You surprise me, Jinn of Svendia.” His eyes penetrated her as if studying the light burning in her inner self. “You are not like your brother.” She licked her lips as his heady scent reached her. “What do you mean?” Drakkar scowled. “He’s an arrogant, unconscionable bastard out for his own glorification—and revenge, based on what you told me. For your father. Shatz. Look at

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what you call him? Rurik the Conqueror. But we have another name for him.” Drakkar sneered. “Rurik the Destroyer.” He dropped his hands. “I’ve seen the damage he’s wrought. The innocent lives he’s destroyed. There is no mercy in his sorry soul.” “You’re wrong,” she snapped. Her brother might be many things but unconscionable wasn’t one of them. “Rurik would never kill unless there was a purpose. He is one of the most caring, moral people I know.” “Then you don’t know many people, do you?” She slapped him hard. The hit jerked his chin to the side and left a red mark on his cheek. She gasped, regretting the rashness of her action, and clutched her breasts again. Drakkar was known to be brutal in revenge. What would he do to her after such an action? The man in front of her pressed his lips together then glared. “I see you defend your brother to me.” Grasping her breasts more firmly, she straightened and lifted her chin. She already regretted letting her emotions overtake her good sense—something her brother often accused of her of—but she wasn’t a coward. She wouldn’t back down now. “Yes.” He huffed, his mouth reflecting half a grin. “Good, then maybe when you get to know me better, you will do the same for me.” He rubbed his wounded cheek. “Although I’m glad I found out early in our relationship what a violent woman you are.” “I-I am not a violent woman,” she stammered. “You-you just…” “Good.” His hand cupped her cheek, effectively stopping her response. She gaped at him as his touch caused tremors under her skin. “Because it is not anger I want from you, Jinn.” His full lips parted, the lust growing heavy in his gaze. “Oh, I-I mean…you…” she stuttered, and stepped away from him, hitting the bed with the back of her knees. She swallowed as he narrowed the gap between them. “Do not be afraid of me.” “I-I’m not…I…” He outlined her lips with his thumb. “Don’t lie. I can smell the fear in you. You had it when you first saw me in your brother’s woman’s house. Then when I entered the room a few moments ago. And now. I do not want you afraid. We‘re lovers. Bonded— or soon will be. I will not harm you. I swear it. And I am already forsworn to protect you.” He bent over and took her mouth with his. She moaned under his touch. “Drakkar,” she said, her voice breathy. All sanity left her for a moment. He growled and pulled her flush against him, deepening the kiss. The backs of her hands pressed against his chest. She felt her nipples peak in her palms. She moved her hands, sliding them over his shoulders so that the nubs of her breasts would rub against him.

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Grasping her butt, he pulled her hips more tightly into his and she felt his cock burgeon and pulse against her. Passion flooded her. She wanted him. Before reason left her entirely, she had to get him to listen. “Drakkar, these attacks,” she said between touches of his sensual mouth. “They weren’t my brother. I swear.” Panting, he pulled his mouth away. “I do not want to talk about your brother.” “But we have to,” she pleaded. The lines that formed around his eyes questioned her. “You said yourself your brother was the only one in this sector. Why should I believe you now?” She pressed her lips together. In a bold move, she put her finger to his mouth, touching the one soft spot she knew he had as she struggled to find the words he might believe. “I know I am your enemy but I also know how much my brother wants peace— the same peace my father sought before he died.” “You think I killed your father.” He spoke without emotion, even though her finger remained. She shook her head. “Whether you did or did not, Rurik feels as you. In war people die.” She felt the tears pool in her eyes. “I’m the only one who sought revenge from you for Father’s death, and now…” Her whispers died and she swallowed, knowing any act of retribution from her would be fruitless. “Do you wish for peace?” The irises in his eyes grew black. “Of course. The only thing this war has proved has been to impoverish and deplete our two peoples. It’s stupid.” She licked her lips and smiled. “I believe you.” He knitted his brows. “I don’t…” “Rurik believes it was you who broke the truce.” “That’s why he attacks me?” “No.” She shook her head and removed her finger. “He has not attacked you. Whether you believe me or not, his ships don’t have the advanced cloaking capability of the ship I saw. It’s the same with the ships that have attacked us. They close in, closer than what we are capable of when cloaked, and attack then cloak again. And the strikes are getting worse.” He nestled her tighter to him and studied her face. “What is it you’re saying?” “Someone who knows of the rift between the two of you is causing this. You are the most powerful of the Vulgarians. It is why you and Rurik are at odds as he is the most powerful of the Svendians. Don’t you see? Someone is promoting this for their own gain. Who or what I don’t know but it must be stopped.” His breathing evened as he glanced away, thinking, she could tell. “Prove it to me.” Reaching for him, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him. “I don’t know how,” she murmured against his lips, “but promise me you’ll think on this. You know much more than I. If I am to be your mate, at least look at this situation by believing what I tell you is true. Then maybe you will find the answer.” 137

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He rubbed his hardening cock against her. “You would use our mutual need against me?” She hadn’t thought that way. She shook her head. “I only mean that if you look at the problem with the eyes of the past, you won’t see the truth.” He paused, staring at her for the longest time then nodded. “I will do as you have asked, but I promise nothing.” The weight of worry seemed to lift from her, at least for now. “Agreed.” His melancholy smile stirred her, not only her body but some cobwebbed piece of her heart. “In the meantime, I have promised you fulfillment,” he uttered hoarsely. He scooped her ass up in one arm and lifted her, holding her against him. “And there is one thing you should know, Beloved.” He ravaged her mouth a moment then pulled away. “I always keep my promises.” She wrapped her legs around him. Her body hummed with anticipation even though her mind hated her for it. “I was hoping you’d say that.” She licked her lips and for the first time in a long while she let her libido control her. “And there’s nothing I can do about it?” He shook his head. “Nothing.” “Oh good. Because other than our quick tryst below, I’ve been abstinent a while and there are some delicious things I want to do to you.” She wrapped her arms about his shoulders and leaned into him to take his mouth. Their tongues intertwined, as if fencing to see who could please whom the most. Then she changed her tack and nipped his lower lip, trailing kisses down his chin to his neck and teasing the skin with her teeth. When he groaned with pleasure, his breath caressed the surface from her earlobe to her shoulder. “Why have you been so restrained?” Her breathing labored, she lifted her head with a grimace. “Because my brother ordered me.” Drakkar chuckled in the crook of her neck. When his laughter finally died he asked, “Why?” She rolled her eyes and looked at the ceiling. “Well, maybe a few of my paramours got in a fight.” “A few? Over you?” She straightened and gazed at his darkened visage. “Yes. Is that so hard to believe?” He smirked and his eyes narrowed. “No, I simply don’t like the idea.” “It bothers you?” The thought he would be miffed pleased her.

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“I suppose it shouldn’t. I’m sure you’ve had several lovers. Warrior women often do. However, I am relieved to know it will not happen again. I don’t like the idea of someone else possessing you.” She huffed with the insult. “No one possesses me. I may not have your strength but I am still a warrior. I own myself.” Half smiling, he bit his lip. “Until now. Now I possess you. As you possess me.” He kissed her, drank deeply from her lips then chuckled lowly again. “Although I know how proud the female Svendian warrior can be and how protective she is of her rights. I’m surprised he restricted your lustful activities.” She frowned. “Well, part of it could be that he got cocked in the scrotum.” She shrugged. “And the two men had to go to sick bay so the healer could treat their wounds.” Drakkar threw his head back and laughed. She jiggled against him, against his solid cock. Desire rushed to her cunt. Rubbing her breasts against him, she kissed his shoulder then his neck again. “How would you know about female Svendian warriors?” she murmured, her voice breathy. He teased the skin of her neck with his teeth, licking the pieces he captured in his bite. “You are not the only one with needs, Jinn. When met on neutral ground, I have shared this pleasure with your kind.” Her breasts burned with jealousy as he suckled her earlobe. “I don’t want to know about it. Just tell me you are mine in this moment.” His voice rough, he pulled his head back and gazed at her with an inner depth, a longing she felt in her core. “I am yours from now and for always, Jinn. As you are mine. I do not want another.” Somehow relieved, she sighed and nestled her head on his shoulder as somewhere, some voice in her brain struggled against the inevitable. You are a warrior, not a breeder, with a commitment to your people. He is your enemy. Inwardly, she told the voice to shut up. She needed this now. And there was nothing she could do to avoid it. Turning, he sat down on the bed, putting her in his lap with her legs spread behind him. “I’m curious as to how you were allowed your status. You are fertile. I know the Svendians would never allow this had they known, especially your uncle. He’s a man known to adhere zealously to the rules, especially the Svendian ones. In fact, some have compared him to the Draconians in his passion for the literary terms of the law.” She swallowed, trying to regain her wits, not wanting to reveal her secret. With his hands on her hips, he rubbed her clit against his hard dick. Her breath caught. Her sensitized nerves endings bloomed with want. “Drakkar,” she mewed, “take me. Then we can make love again.” “Yes, Beloved,” he murmured in her ear. “After you answer my question.” “You do not play fair,” she growled.

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“Unlike you, my sweet,” his whispers taunted her heated skin, “I’ve had to learn control. Otherwise all would have been lost for my people.” He caressed the skin of her neck with his mouth then made his way to the top of her breast, taking the nub with his hot lips. “Mmmm, and you accused me of using this mutual demand against you. Drakkar, please.” “I would not do so if I didn’t think this important.” His brow beaded with perspiration. He struggled as well as she. But Jinn knew she couldn’t outlast him. What difference did it make now? “I use an infusion to block my scent. You somehow overcame it. I don’t know how.” He exhaled slowly. She sensed his relief. “Then I will not care. However, I don’t want you using it anymore.” He grasped her ass from underneath her pitiful garment and held her to him then took her nipple in his mouth. “Mmmm.” She moaned with pleasure yet her mind struggled against his wish. The infusion was her last defense against what she saw as a higher level of slavery. How could she give it up? Her thoughts left her as Drakkar’s fingers massaged the cheeks of her rear. Undoing the knot of her makeshift skirt, he tossed it off then leaned her back slightly and fingered her front. “You’re wet. I love that about you.” She rested her hands on his shoulders to steady herself and sighed as his fingers played magic between her clit and her hole. “I need you, Drakkar. Please.” “Whatever you want, Beloved.” Turning, he stood and sat her on the bed then pulled off his boots with haste. Standing with his back to her, he shrugged off his shirt and grabbed the waistband to pull down his pants. The site of his chiseled, powerful body took Jinn’s breath away. Never had she seen a man so beautiful. “Let me look at you.” She eased her legs up on the bed and grasped her knees to her chest. His pants dropped. He kicked them off and turned around, studying her with curiosity. The muscles in his broad frame flexed as he moved to her, as if they bore a will of their own. “You’ve seen naked men before.” She rested her chin on her knees and licked her lips, gazing at his sculpted form, and his well-endowed cock. “Yes.” She smiled. “But you’ve had the opportunity to see all of me. I have not had the same in return.” She slid to the edge of the bed. “And I want it now.” Her breathing grew more labored as she took his phallus in hand and stroked. “God’s teeth.” He about collapsed on her but instead used her shoulders to steady himself. “I’m not sure I can hold back much longer.” She took his penis in her mouth and went down on him once, then twice, running the edge of her teeth lightly against the underside of his purpled head on the last pass.

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“Good thing you won’t have to because I need you now.” She stood. Rising high on her toes, she rubbed the top of her moist crotch against his solid member. He grasped her ass and lifted her, setting her on top of his sex in one fell swoop. With the feel of him, the fullness inside her that he gave, she moaned with carnal pleasure and a nirvana that left her breathless. Holding her hips aloft, he pumped into her, slowly at first, rising and falling within her, stroking the part of her that only he so far had been able to find. “The things you do to me,” she cried as the passion, her need for completion, surged higher. Faster, he stroked, then faster still. The nipples of her breasts rubbed against him. The wetness of their bodies mingled and blended as if they had become one. Cradling her with one arm, he fingered her wet clit, escalating her desire, making her crave him and only him at this moment. His groans put her over the top. The muscles deep within her clenched against him. Cries of ecstasy tore through her, thundering even to her ears. Sated for the moment, she fell limp against Drakkar as he found his own fulfillment. For moments, he stood as they held each other, the only sound the breaths they panted, the remnants of the sweetness of their desire. “I cannot live without you.” His surprise declaration and the soft touch of his exhalations on her skin stirred her. She kissed the underside of his chin, tasting the saltiness that was him, then looked up and saw the bare truth in his eyes, the truth that she herself had already found. He needed her like he needed to breathe. She felt the moisture bead on her face, the sweat a result of the heat between them. Before she added to it with tears, she moved to him and kissed him, forcing the pain of her betrayal deeper—the one she’d sworn on her father’s grave, the knowledge that, before she could bond with a man such as him, she needed to fulfill the first commitment she had made, the one to her people, the one to herself. And that was the most important piece. She could never be a breeder. Not when it meant she would lose the person she had become.

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Chapter Twelve Rurik strolled down the hall. His uncle had pressed him for an answer. Who could be the traitor? He didn’t know. And worse yet, Nasgorov’s ship had reported they’d lost contact with Jinn. He wasn’t too worried. When his sister was on a quest, she often disappeared. Weariness threatened to undo him as he reached the room, yet Rurik knew—he wanted Trista again. At least this one thing had worked out the way he wished. The portal opened and he stepped into his quarters. The lights were dimmed. Trista lay in his bed asleep. He smiled, watching her. For all the changes wrought on his woman, for all the new things she’d experienced in the last sleep cycles, Rurik thought she’d taken it pretty well. He certainly could understand her exhaustion. A pleasing sensation burned inside him as he gazed at her form. He had always enjoyed watching her but this was different. The fact Trista lay in his bed warmed him. She was his now. Totally and without reservation. Finally, he had his mate. Nearing her, he deftly lay beside her, not wanting to disturb her slumber. He studied her peaceful form, the soft curves of her body, the way her chest rose and fell with each breath. Could he love her? He knew not but lies and deception went against his grain. Although the act had been necessary, even the memory eraser was abhorrent to him. Now, a woman who’d trusted him had bonded to him. He would not deceive her. Not anymore. She turned into him as if she knew he’d come to her, and nestled her head against his arm. Her cheek lay against his chest. A soft murmur escaped her lips as her hand rested on him but he couldn’t understand the words. Yet somehow he knew she felt comfort with him, safety. He brushed her cheek. The dampness of her skin surprised him. He studied her more closely. Had she been crying? Putting his face near hers, he inhaled. The trace scent of salt confirmed it. He grimaced. He did not want her sad. What could she shed tears over? Her son was safe, her daughter soon would be. He would protect them all with his life. He closed his eyes in pain. There was only one answer. With a gentle touch, he kissed the crown of her hair, savoring the softness of her dark tresses. His shortsightedness had caused her to grieve. Somehow, he would have to amend that if he could.

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Easing from her he stood, wondering how to resolve the dilemma of the heart. He had no knowledge of what that meant. Yet perhaps he knew someone who did. Not wanting to take his leave from Trista yet knowing he must for her happiness, Rurik turned and exited, heading for sickbay to check on his son. Perhaps there he could find an answer.

***** Jinn had sidled her sweet ass against his crotch before she fell asleep, allowing Drakkar to study the nude woman in his arms. His woman. Deftly, he ran his hand down her small breasts and the length of her sinewy torso. He liked her curves, liked the way her body melded into his. Why did she have to be his enemy? Drakkar scowled at that. Wondered why destiny had chosen for the two of them to be together. After testing almost every fertile Vulgarian female—and some Svendians for that matter—he had never found a match. Which was why he thought his original plan had been flawless. Little did he know. Thinking there was no one out there for him, he had researched and chosen his match with precision. After much deliberation, he had decided on a woman less harsh, one who hadn’t been so scarred from the war. Rurik’s own daughter had seemed the perfect choice, one with whom he could forge an alliance with his enemy and secure the peace between their two peoples. After much study, Drakkar believed Rurik would hold the peace with his own blood by Drakkar’s side. Logic had dictated this and more. The daughter was younger and did not know their ways, yet from his reconnaissance, he’d found she was intelligent and sensitive, interested in preserving the world she lived in. And she would have been more malleable. Drakkar could have shown her the effects of the war, made her more sensitive to the plight of the Vulgarians. She would have been perfect. But the choice had been snatched from him. Or rather, his reason did not rule now. It was his body that took command, the bloodlust of the ancients. Still, Jinn was blood to Rurik. His plan could yet work. He studied his woman’s soft cheeks, the rounded curve of her aristocratic chin. He knew she didn’t want him either, at least, in her mind. Being born and bred a Svendian, she hated him and what he stood for. Hated him for killing her father. Could he ever overcome this? Could he get her to realize it had never been his intent to have Ulrich hurt? Her father had been one of the few who believed a peace could be had. And although Ulrich was his enemy and a mighty battle foe, Drakkar respected the man for his beliefs. Why would he kill him?

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Unbidden, Drakkar remembered the skirmish where the older man died. Although he’d been present at a nearby battle, his ship had nothing to do with the ones that had attacked the diplomat’s vessel. However he doubted Jinn would believe him now. He stroked her cheek with his fingers, praying somehow he could atone for her father’s death. Even though he had no part, he had planned the attack that hit forces in the area of the ship—a successful endeavor and a necessity to his people. The attack allowed them some breathing room to recover from Rurik’s own destruction. She stirred a moment and turned into him. Her golden head rested on his tanned biceps as she snuggled against his chest. Her soft exhalations stroked his skin. Blood pulsed into his penis. He held his breath. He didn’t want to wake her, not yet. Right now he enjoyed the contentment he had with her in his arms, the sense of completion, of making him whole. It was an inner peace, the like he’d never felt before, one that showed him the void that had been in his life. He marveled at that, the fact that when one found their mate, how keen the need was for them. Softly he kissed her brow, ruminating on the two of them and what the future would bring. It was true that he and Jinn were enemies. Theirs would never be an easy union, but they needed each other like they needed life itself. He knew this now. Yet he knew from her words she wanted, and even needed, her other family. He hoped his plan worked. If not, Drakkar could see himself fighting as much within his own house as without. Jinn was warrior-trained. Even so, no matter what happened, she could not keep that profession. Although it was true that Vulgarian mates were sometimes warriors, he couldn’t trust her to be one of them. She was too loyal to her brother. Besides, he didn’t really want a warrior mate. Someone needed to stay out of the fray to take care of the children they would have. She was the logical choice. In sleep, she frowned and sighed against him, as if questioning the conclusions his mind had made. Looking at her flushed cheeks, he guessed, if asked, she wouldn’t agree with him at all. Doing what she had, going to the extremes of finding and using the infusion to cover her scent, she was obviously a woman who went after what she wanted—even if it was against her people’s demands. He smiled at that, glad she had backbone. He wanted children with that kind of strength. She stirred again. Her soft hand slid against his ribs to his chest. Her fingers brushed the tip of his nipple. “Drakkar,” she mumbled from her dreams then placed a soft kiss against his skin. Fiery passion smoldered within him. His cock throbbed harder. He grimaced. It seemed the more he had her, the more he wanted her. Releasing a low growl, he tried not to think of the fucking they had already indulged in, the positions, the touches, the oral play—the passion. It seemed he couldn’t stop himself. She was a randy woman. Wild, athletic—talented. He liked that. He wanted her again and would have to take her soon. He couldn’t help himself, but Jinn was on a different sleep cycle than him. His woman was tired. She needed rest, and the

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respite had given him time to think things through. Time to see things as she might when the bloodlust receded to some degree. He brushed a few stray tresses from her face, admiring the soft paleness of her skin and the simmering determination underneath. She had strong beliefs, and stronger desires. She had molded her life the way she had wanted—laws or no. It seemed to him that no one truly held rule over her, not over her wants anyway. She had become a warrior despite what her people believed. Was it only to seek revenge on him? He prayed not but he no more relished the idea that she would break her own people’s laws so easily, not without reason. Besides, if she could, what else would she do to get what she wanted? He didn’t know and the thought left him uneasy, yet there was one thing he had decided for certain. With him she could be a warrior no longer. And the infusion shatz would have to go. He grimaced, knowing she would not easily accept his rule on this. These things, along with her family, would now be denied her. And illegal or no, her warrior status was something she’d worked hard to achieve. What could he offer her in return to placate her, to see her role as his mate and breeder? A pair of loving arms? He hardly knew her. His honor and family? She hated him and everything about him. His life to protect her? She would probably ask for it in trade. What good would having her be to him in death? He gritted his teeth. She would not see these as a fair substitute and the quandary bothered him. He had no clue how to fix it. And he did not want another war, not in his own house at least—especially not one in his bed. She murmured again, something unintelligible. Nuzzling the strands of her hair, he inhaled and savored her scent. Regardless of how she felt, she was his now. And he was hers. Her body jerked. “Danger,” she murmured. She dreamed again, of what, he didn’t know. He wished he did. Did she see herself fighting him? Or was she remembering another battle? With a startled gasp, she awoke and peered around her, finally settling her gaze on him. After a moment, she closed her eyes as if in pain and buried her head against him. He brushed his hand over her soft blonde tresses. “Hiding yourself won’t change this, Jinn.” Her head snapped up. A pair of eyes as stormy as the sea glared at him. “The only thing I hide from you is my shame.”

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His raging hard-on died. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.” “No?” Her delicate brows arched. “I’ve screwed my greatest enemy, how many times?” She shook her head. “And I couldn’t help myself. I even welcomed it. Damn, what was I thinking?” Her body shook as she turned from him and covered her head with her arm. “Jinn, stop torturing yourself. We are enemies, true, but we can manage this. We have to. I have no intention of living a life with a mate who despises me.” She buried her head in the sheets and wept softly into the bed covers. “Jinn,” he rolled her to him, settling her against his chest again, “don’t cry. Please.” In hushed tones, he pleaded with her as each tear she shed ripped a piece of his heart. He knew how she felt for he too had lost ones close to him and decided many years ago to hammer Ploruvian steel around his emotions. Yet, here this simple act from this woman touched him. He kissed her temple, brushed his lips over the soft curls of her hair. “Perhaps you and I being together,” he swallowed, “perhaps it’s a sign.” “Of what?” The blue in her eyes sparkled. “You want to use me to defeat my brother. This bond is so convenient for you.” “Jinn, I didn’t plan this, not like this, anyway.” “You planned something.” Her eyes narrowed. He paused a moment, not knowing how she would interpret his former idea. “Yes, but it would have benefited both our peoples.” “You have no trust in me. Why should I believe you?” “Because…” He lifted her chin with the crook of his finger and covered her mouth with his, savoring her heady taste, the touch of her skin, the delicate scent of her. How could he have ever thought of anyone else? His dick throbbed again as he pulled his mouth away. “You are my mate and I have no intention of keeping secrets between us.” He frowned. “For now, some are necessary, but in time, I have faith we will work out the differences between us.” She licked her lips. The scent of her sex heightened. She creamed, he was sure. Rubbing his hand down her side to her hip, he rested his palm on her pussy and dipped his finger within the heaven he had found. Wetness coated him. His breathing deepened. “Damn,” she gasped, trembling as she grasped his biceps to hold on to him. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?” He chuckled softly in her ear. “It’s the same with me, Beloved. I know you feel me pulse against you. You must smell my seed.” He knew some pre-cum leaked from him. “Yes,” she rasped and glanced at him, the mixture of want and concern heavy in her gaze. “I want you yet the need tortures me. My people will see me as a traitor. No one in my family has ever suffered such.” He had no pity for that. As far as he was concerned, no decent person should be loyal to her bastard of a brother. He pressed his mouth shut, refusing to voice his 146

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thoughts and said instead, “We will find a way.” He stroked her wet canal with his finger. She moaned and let her head drop backward. “Promise?” “I will do my best.” He kissed her exposed neck then worked his way to the peaking nub of her breast. “Hmm,” she cried, “I can’t think around you.” He laughed softly against her and captured her nub with his teeth to lave the flesh between his bite. “There are things to discuss though, Beloved.” He stroked her deeper then studied her face. “Yes.” She closed her eyes as she lifted her head to rest on his arm. Drakkar knew she focused on what he did to her. “You can be a warrior no longer, though I swear I will find something else to occupy you.” “What?” Her eyes flew open as she stared at him. The muscles of her vagina contracted around his finger. “But Vulgarian laws allow women.” He circled his other arm around her neck. “You are a Svendian and are loyal to your brother. You have taken vows to protect your people. Think about it. I cannot let you roam the ship, especially as a warrior. You will be my mate but nothing else.” “Argh.” She bent her head away from him and banged it against the cushion of the bed. “Men!” He pumped his finger again and slid in one more as he used his thumb to rub her clit, hoping to help her forget his words, at least for the moment. She moaned even as she shot him a pained look. “You cannot tell me what I can and cannot do.” He kissed her chin then nibbled on her earlobe. “I am your mate and the captain of this ship. For now, it will be as I have said.” Angry, she pushed against him but was no match for his strength. He slid his arm around her shoulders yet gave her the distance she needed. “I hate you.” Tears glittered in her eyes. He leaned to her, brushing his chest against her breasts. “But you need me.” He kissed her, drank deeply of her lips as he continued his assault on her lower body. She mewed again, this time in protest, even though her eyes fluttered shut with pleasure. In moments, she panted, her breaths rising to meet each stroke of his fingers. “Oh damn.” She rubbed a hand down her body. The back of it brushed his chest. “Drakkar, you do not play fair.” The taunt pained him but he didn’t know what else to do at this moment except love her. “I don’t want to lie to you, Jinn.” Her eyes popped open and she gazed at him with a softness he had not before seen from her. “I appreciate that,” she whispered.

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With the small bit of trust he saw in her eyes, blood surged into his cock. He needed to take her. He slid his leg between hers as he withdrew his fingers. Rolling her to her back, he settled between her thighs and crouched over her. “For now, let that be enough. I want to love you, Jinn.” His penis quivered against her slick opening. Bending her knees, she laid them against the bed and opened wider for him. “Then take me, Drakkar.” She grasped her breasts and squeezed them as she thrust her hips upward. “Because, God help me, I do need you.” He growled as he thrust into her, groaned as her sweet pussy clenched against his rigid staff. “God’s teeth, woman.” Sweat beaded his brow and he pulled out and thrust into her again, stroking in a rhythm that shot her hips tighter against him. She pulled on her nipples and lifted one to him. He took her offering with his mouth, relishing her sweet taste. As he did so, she slid her fingers into his hair and held him against her. “Mmmm,” she moaned as her cries pitched higher, each beat of their coupling bringing both of them to ecstasy. Her hips arched hard into his as she climaxed. By the ancestors, what the sound of her pleasure did to him. He came with a growl and lay spent across her, pillowing his head between her breasts and taking pleasure in the gentle rise and fall of her chest. For moments, all he heard was their breaths. Then the humming of the ship came to him. He closed his eyes, appreciating the soft pillow of flesh he rested his head on. Her fingers relaxed in his hair. Slowly, she stroked them through his shorter locks, massaging his scalp with the tips. Inhaling deeply, he kissed the breast his chin rested against, savoring the light, salty taste of her skin, and closed his eyes. Contentment flooded his being and he couldn’t remember ever being so satisfied. Her head moved. He felt her lips press against the crown of his head. Glancing up, he watched her study him, her eyes filled with longing and satisfaction, pain and curiosity. Giving her an encouraging smile, he brushed her cheek with his thumb. “This will work, Jinn, because it has to. Now that I’ve found you, I cannot live without you. I would be incomplete.” She pressed her full lips together. “I know what you mean,” she whispered. “When you are near like this, I need you like I need my next heartbeat.” Hell, the thought left him giddy, like he was a lad. “Good.” He kissed the tip of one breast then the top of the other. Sidling up her chest, he put his arms to either side of her head and rested on his elbows to meet her face-to-face. “Jinn…” He glanced over her features, taking in the details of her. “I’ve never had a woman like you. You give everything when you are making love.” Her sad smile tore at him. “It is the way I live. I give all in everything I do.”

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He smiled at that. She reached for him and rubbed her hand along his chin to his cheek. “Like you said, you don’t seem like the ogre I’d been told you are.” She eyed him from his head downward and back up. “But if you are, you are certainly the most handsome ogre I’ve ever met.” His laughter resonated against the walls until the buzzer of his door sounded, someone requesting entrance. He glared at the portal. “Shatz. It figures someone would come to find me now.” Jinn giggled. Too frustrated to dress, Drakkar strode to the door and slapped the door panel to open it. “What?” His sister stood there with a smirk on her face as she eyed his nakedness. “I see you didn’t waste any time.” He growled. “You’re too young to understand, but when you find your mate, you will.” She snickered. “I want to meet my new sister-in-law.” She crossed her arms, determined. “You are a pain.” He glared at her. “Go away.” Quiet footsteps sounded behind him. He looked over his shoulder at Jinn. Her eyes grew wary. “No,” Kaia spouted primly. “Not now.” He reached for the button to close the door but Kaia stepped through. His sister jerked her pointy chin at him. “Now. Khariton told me to tell you that you’re needed on the bridge.” “For?” She shrugged and the dark curls that framed her face jiggled. How had his mother convinced him to let her serve time on his ship? The comm on the room’s console signaled. “Captain, the, er, target has crossed into this sector. It’s waving diplomatic colors.” His brows arched. He studied the interest in Jinn’s face. The look that breezed over her features blackened his mood. “Which diplomat?” he demanded. Khariton paused a moment. “Sophos.” He gazed at Jinn who looked at him with something akin to fear. “I’m coming,” he responded without breaking eye contact. His mate swallowed. “Are you going to tell…” Gently, he grasped her chin and gazed at her. Bending his face to hers, he kissed her lips. “Rest assured,” he whispered against her mouth, “I’m not letting you go.” She scowled. He marched to the foot of the bed and picked up the clothes he’d left lying there.

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“What about me?” Jinn asked, propping a fist on her shapely naked hip. “I am not a breeder and I’d prefer not to prance around in the nude.” He chuckled. “Demanding, too?” He walked with his armful of clothes to her and kissed her quick. “Computer, get my mate the clothes I secured for her. Kaia, keep an eye on her.” He studied Jinn a moment. “I’m sure she could use the company.” With that, he strode out, securing the door when it closed. He didn’t want to see the look on Jinn’s face when she saw what he chose for her to wear. “Grrr,” Jinn fumed. “That man is intolerable.” “Yes,” his sister said and grinned. “But he’s a good man nonetheless.” She shrugged. “At least he means well.” Jinn pressed her lips together. “You’re his sister. You would say that.” “It isn’t because I’m his sister. He really is a good man.” She pouted. Jinn huffed. “He means to use me for some devious plan of his. How can you think he means me well?” Kaia giggled. “Well, you like him. That’s obvious. And better you than your niece.” “My…” How could she have forgotten? “Oh.” Jinn rubbed her head then the thought hit her. “My niece?” Kaia nodded with a youngster’s innocence. “Mercedes. Your brother’s daughter.” “You know she’s my brother’s daughter?” “Oh yes.” Kaia batted her eyes. “We’ve known for a while. I don’t know how my brother gets this information, but we intercepted the Svendian data some time ago.” “You… Svendian data? Wha—how?” She shrugged. “I can’t tell you that but it was some council thing, no doubt. Drakkar doesn’t waste his time with much else—unless it’s about your brother.” “What about my brother?” Jinn’s fear surfaced. Would Drakkar use her to harm Rurik? Kaia shrugged and said nothing. Jinn suspected the girl had realized she’d said too much. Jinn tamped down her frustration and straightened, not wanting to let on to her new sister-in-law-to-be that she probably shouldn’t be discussing Vulgarian spying techniques with her in the first place. Still, Jinn got the feeling the girl wanted to impress Jinn nonetheless. “I see. Well, how clever of Drakkar. Your brother really is smart, isn’t he? We should have intelligent children.” She shivered at that. After losing an aunt to childbirth, one of Jinn’s deepseated fears was the process of bearing offspring. She turned and sauntered to the console where a set of breeder-wear sat. Inwardly, she scowled as she lifted the seagreen gossamer cloth with a pinch of her thumb and forefinger, and thought that for a race that wanted to break from Svendian tradition, their practices didn’t fall far from the fold.

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“It’s a pretty color. I like the shimmering gold girdle and breast shields. The embroidery work on the soft slippers is nice, too.” Kaia had followed behind her. Jinn could hear the longing in Drakkar’s sister’s voice. “Yes.” Jinn forced a smile for the young girl. With Drakkar gone, the sexual fog in Jinn’s brain lessened and her duties came much more into focus. Thank the ancestors. She studied Kaia closer. Although the girl had reached womanhood, her obvious lack of experience could be to Jinn’s advantage. So, what had happened to Mercedes? As she fingered the material, the stirrings of a plan formed in her head. “So, he wanted my niece instead?” The piece of news pissed her off royally but she kept the sweet smile on her face. Kaia shrugged again. “Well, he said it made sense, especially since he’d never found a bondsmate, but when he found you, well…” She lifted her shoulders a third time. “Guess he decided he couldn’t have anyone else.” “I’m surprised he’d settle for so little,” Jinn grumbled under her breath. “Drakkar? Oh, he didn’t settle, trust me. He never settles.” She crossed her arms and grinned at Jinn with an impish smile. “I suppose after he figured out you two were meant for each other, he wouldn’t have anything else. That’s why he went in search for you and left Mercedes alone. You know, I was her neighbor a while. Living on Earth was kind of cool. Your niece is a nice person. Much different from your brother.” Jinn wondered at the monster image these people had of her brother, but keeping to her ruse, she arched a brow at Kaia’s reference, noting the use of the Earther idiom. “You spied on her?” Kaia grimaced. “Well, spied is a strong word. Reconnaissance was more like it.” She nodded as the light danced in her eyes, pleased with her change of innuendoes. “Drakkar went out with her a few times. He said she’d do but—” “He what?” Jinn’s voice rose even though she tried to stop it. Kaia giggled. “He didn’t sleep with her, if you’re worried about that. They simply met and talked. In a group.” “Grrrr.” Even the thought of him being interested in someone else pissed her off. Shatz, what had happened to her brain? Was she jealous? She dismissed the thought. This was a man who would have no qualms about killing her brother. But what could Drakkar have wanted Mercedes for? For that matter, what does he want me for? And if the mighty captain wasn’t interested in Mercedes anymore, then where was her niece? “You wouldn’t happen to know where Mercedes is, would you?” Kaia hefted her shoulders once more. Jinn decided this was a favorite affectation of hers. “Dunno.” “You haven’t seen her lately?”

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Drakkar’s sister cocked her head. “Oh, heavens, no. I haven’t seen her for…mmmm,” she laid a finger aside her chin, “about three sleep cycles I think. I left right after Drakkar decided on this new tack.” The hairs on Jinn’s neck prickled. Then where could her niece be? Jinn forced the nonchalance into her voice. “Interesting. Then I wonder where Mercedes is now? I tried contacting her before I left.” “Seriously, I don’t know.” “Well, since you Vulgarians don’t have her…” Jinn glanced over Kaia’s readable face for a clue. Nothing. “Then maybe she went on one of her research trips.” Kaia pressed her lips together. “Are you worried about her?” Jinn thought about how to react then decided sometimes honesty worked the best. “Yes.” Kaia frowned. “I shouldn’t do this.” Jinn hiked a brow and hoped. Kaia sighed. “Okay, don’t tell Drakkar.” She stepped to the console. “Computer, locate Mercedes of Earth.” She glanced at Jinn. “I put a temporary nav nanobot on her. Behind her ear when she was asleep on the beach. I made sure it wouldn’t come off for a while.” The screen of the computer flashed a location in space. “The Svendian Headmaster’s council ship,” the female voice responded. Jinn’s senses went on alert. “How—” Suddenly Kaia’s words and the events of the last few sleep cycles started to click. Something was seriously wrong. If her uncle had Mercedes then why wouldn’t her brother know? Jinn struggled to maintain an even composure and tamped down the sick feeling she got in her gut. “Hmmm, I guess Rurik found her. Good.” Kaia arched a brow and shut the screen down. “There. You should feel better now.” “Yes.” Jinn brought back her fake grin. “Thank you.” Now she had to find a way out before Drakkar got back. Whenever he was around, she totally forgot her mission. Shatz. Whether he liked it or not, she was still a warrior. Glancing at the foot of the bed, she noted Drakkar had picked up his waist pack along with the remnants of her clothes. She was sure her communicator had remained inside. Hell. No help there. Frustrated, Jinn eyed the seriously thin fabric in her hand, scowling. There was no way she wanted to wear this. “You know, Kaia, I could use some exercise. You think you could get me something more appropriate and take me to your training room?” Kaia crinkled her nose. “I don’t think my brother wants you roaming the ship.” She eyed the girl. “He told you to keep an eye on me. What harm would it do?” Kaia crossed her arms again. “I may be young but I’m not stupid. You’re more trained in combat than me. What guarantee do I have that you won’t try to get away?”

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“Look, I know Drakkar has a plan. He said it would benefit both our people.” Jinn forced a resigned sigh. “Our different sides have a truce now. Drakkar promised me he would work things out. He’s good to his word, is he not?” “Oh yes, always.” Jinn was afraid of that. Thinking of the things Drakkar had promised to date, she cringed inwardly but pressed on. “If that’s true, and I don’t think you would lie to me, then why wouldn’t I go along with it? You are my new sister, after all.” Kaia eyed her with suspicion. “As sisters and now kin, will you promise me you won’t do anything to get me in trouble?” She sighed. “I’ve already gotten some backlash from him for a few, uh, other things.” Jinn felt for her. She knew what getting on the wrong side of Rurik had done to her and what it had led to. Look at the trouble she was in now. Jinn nodded. “I promise.” She bit her lip. She meant it. Vulgarian or no, she liked this girl and she really didn’t want to get Kaia crossways with her scheming brother. Jinn didn’t want Drakkar’s anger at his sister on her conscience. Somehow she had to find a way to get out of there. And the only way to find it was to leave Drakkar’s scent behind her. Kaia frowned. “Get dressed and I’ll take you. I should be able to find something suitable there. Then afterward maybe we can go to the dining hall. I’m starved.” Looking at the clothes, Jinn cringed for real this time and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, hoping she could pull this off.

***** “She’ll be out a while yet. I gave her enough sleeping agent to ensure I could secure her properly. What are your plans?” Cassius worked to keep any sense of feeling under control. Craddock had called him to his quarters to discuss the woman but he did not need to know that Cassius was unhappy about harming an innocent victim. “I don’t know yet.” The headmaster paced the length of the diplomat’s quarters. “I only know if Rurik gets his family together my scheme will be thwarted.” He stopped at a wall and pounded his fist on it. “Damn my brother. I was the oldest. I should have been the one blessed with fertility.” “You took his place on the council. You are now headmaster.” “Yes, but for how long? When Rurik has his family, my command will be in jeopardy. Although my nephew says he does not want the political helm, the council will call for it. Andromeda will see to it. I know it.” He seethed and paced again. “We need to get rid of the girl but I cannot kill her. She is an endangered species.” He scowled. “Unlike her brother, she has not been approved by the council, not yet.” “Give her to me,” Cassius said, “and when you give me your leave, I will see she does not reappear.”

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Craddock stopped and glared at him, sneering. “She is my ‘great niece’. Damn Rurik.” He paced again. “Impetuous boy. To breed with an Earther. Shatz. Still, it makes what I want to do easier. I guess I could sell her to my friends, the Renegades. They would keep her quiet.” He snorted. “And have their fun with her, I’m sure. She is a pretty female.” Craddock disgusted Cassius, but Craddock had promised Cassius his freedom once Craddock had succeeded with his plan, a liberty that was more important to him than Craddock knew. “If you think so little of her then I will take her off your hands. She could be useful to me.” Craddock snickered and approached him. Nearing, the headmaster stood in front of Cassius and studied him. “You want to fuck her, don’t you? I could smell it on you.” Cassius had been with the man too long. Craddock could read him but not as well as he could read Craddock. “Yes. As I am your slave, I would like to make her mine to do with as I please.” Cassius purposefully curled his lip to emphasize his point, hoping Craddock would believe him. The headmaster’s laugh grated on Cassius’ senses. Craddock eyed him a moment then walked away with a haughty gait. “You are a biodroid. You are not a slave. If you were a slave, you would be human.” “My mother bore me like a human child. My father’s sperm fertilized her egg. Although they used the nanotech to strengthen my DNA, I am at least half human.” Craddock snorted. “Half Vulgarian, you mean.” He stepped to Cassius. “And a forced mutation—a clever combination between human and machine.” He leered. “But the Nyphosians won’t make any more like you and the few others you claim as kin. With your abilities, you scare them too much.” He ran the back of a finger down Cassius’ cheek. “They put you together quite well though. You have been useful to me. In many ways.” With Craddock’s touch, Cassius knew what the man wanted in exchange. Not that he hadn’t had to pay him that way before, but Cassius hoped the price for the girl would be worth the pain. He knew his other contacts would appreciate his efforts to keep her in one piece. Besides, there was something about this woman Cassius wanted to know more about. Something different. He felt it down to the nanobytes in his DNA. “I will pay what you are asking. It means nothing to me.” “Good,” cackled Craddock. “Very good.” His eyes narrowed. “Then prepare yourself, for I want you now.” Cassius swallowed the bile in his throat as he neared the wall and began to strip, steeling himself for the punishment that was to come—Craddock’s unique sense of payment for privileges he allowed his “property”. “By the way.” Craddock came behind him and whispered against his naked back, running his fingers down Cassius flawless skin. “I also want to witness your first penetration of her. It is my right as your owner.”

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Cassius lowered his lashes to cover the glare he wanted to send the man and looked over his shoulder at him. “Whatever you wish, as long as she is mine to do with as I please when our liaison here is concluded—considering, of course, that I keep her presence from ruining your plans.” “Agreed.” Craddock’s grating laugh made Cassius cringe but he hid the feeling. He wouldn’t let the headmaster know how much he loathed him. Craddock pulled out his toys from a drawer and placed them on his bed. Eyeing them, he picked up the strap first. Turning, Cassius placed his hands on the wall to steady himself and waited for the first strike.

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Chapter Thirteen Hunter was awake when Rurik entered. The boy and Gilda, one of the communications officers, had been laughing at some joke. Naked, his son sat up and looked at Rurik. The sight reminded him of an age when he himself had been much younger, the time when he had found Trista swimming naked in the dark waters of the pond. Rurik strode to the boy, staring at the design he’d had imprinted on the side of his biceps. Taking Hunter’s upper arm, he studied the thing his son had taken pains to put on his body. It showed a huge skull with a dragon spouting fire as the creature stepped through the open mouth of the cranial bone. A scroll was etched underneath. “Death before dishonor,” Rurik ran his thumb over the design then grasped his hands behind him. “Appropriate. And a good reminder.” Hunter shrugged. “A small group of us did it right out of jump school. Kinda corny now but it still means something to me.” The boy rubbed the tattoo. “My best bud died a few months later. There were only two of us left before…well, before I took off.” “I’m sorry,” Rurik said. “For your friend.” Hunter shrugged it off. “It happens. You know that as well as me.” Rurik smiled, proud of his son. “How do you feel?” “Great.” Hunter glanced at the comm officer. “I was telling Gilda about Earth.” “I see.” Rurik nodded at the woman. “Uh, you wouldn’t happen to know what they did with my clothes, do you? A tech was the only person here when I woke up. He was trying to find out.” Rurik smirked. “I think we can manage something.” He went to the computer and requested the outfit he’d secured for Hunter, handing it to him when the computer materialized it. Hunter eyed the fabric then looked at Rurik surprised. “A uniform?” “It’s time you were trained. You think you’re ready to get to work?” Hunter perked up. “Hell yeah. I have a lot to learn.” “Good. I already have you registered with my fleet.” He looked at Gilda. “Perhaps you can start with the communications system. Gilda, here, would be a good teacher. And I think she could use the break.” “Yes sir.” Gilda stood at attention. “I would be happy to do it, sir.” “Good.” The woman was obviously eager. “Then perhaps you should go and ready yourself for your new duties and let your immediate command know.” “Yes sir.” She hurried out, seemingly grateful to be gone from him. 156

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Rurik sighed, relieved that this one other thing had gone well. “I’m glad you’ve found someone to pass the time with.” Hunter beamed as if he’d won a contest of strength. “Yeah, she’s a good gal.” Rurik shook his head, understanding the implication. “You wouldn’t happen to know where Alaric is, would you? I have some questions for him.” Hunter snickered. “I think he went to his quarters. He’s been putting in a lot of time and I think he’s finally wiped out. Why?” Rurik frowned. “I need to ask him something about your mother.” Hunter’s body tensed. “She isn’t sick, is she? Alaric told me she took a bad hit with a laser.” Rurik shook his head. “Physically, she’s fine, but…” He ran a hand through his hair. “Hell, I’m a warrior. What do I know about love?” Hunter laughed. “Yeah, especially with my mom.” His son peered at him from underneath his brows. “What happened?” “Hunter.” He stumbled over his words. “How important is love in an Earther relationship?” “It’s everything, Dad. At least to Mom and her generation.” “Hell.” Rurik exhaled with frustration. Hunter studied him. “What did you say to her?” Rurik paused then shook his head. “I told her the truth. I didn’t know what the love for a woman was.” “You told her what?” Rurik duly noted the shock in his son’s voice. “It isn’t that important to Svendians. You find a bondsmate and you know she’s yours. That’s it. And I didn’t want to lie to her. There’s been enough deceit as it is.” “Whew.” Hunter scratched his head. “Dad, you’re an awesome leader, I can see that from the troops, but as far as women go…” he slapped Rurik on the arm, “you’re screwed.” Hunter chuckled then sniffed the air a few times. “I think my sense of smell is getting better.” Rurik laughed with him this time. “It should. There are so many scents on Earth the average Earther’s abilities to distinguish them becomes dulled. The longer you’re in space, the better it will get.” “Cool.” Hunter paused and studied him a minute. “I hope they get as good as yours. And don’t worry. Mom’s stubborn but I think she loves you. You’ll figure it out.” Rurik arched a brow. “I hope you’re right. I hate to see her crying.” “Crying?” The blue of Hunter’s eyes glared at him. Before the boy said another word, Rurik dropped the uniform in his lap. “What did Alaric say about you?” “Per the tech, he gave me a clean bill of health.” 157

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Rurik nodded. “Then report to Bjorg, my Number One on the bridge. Tell him about the communications training. He’ll get you started.” “Yes sir.” Hunter jumped out of bed and began to dress. “Meanwhile,” Rurik spun around and went to the door, “I’m going to see what I can do to make your mother happy.” “Good idea,” Hunter confirmed as Rurik reached the entrance. “Because I can tell you from personal experience…” Rurik glanced at the boy. His son smirked. “When she’s not happy, no one is.” Rurik grimaced. “More reason then to resolve this.” He smiled at the boy then made his way to the transporter, wanting to find his friend. Alaric believed in love. Maybe his best friend could tell Rurik something to help. He rubbed a hand across his tired face and punched the button for the transporter. He knew Alaric was as exhausted as he. Perhaps right now Rurik should find some comfort in Trista’s arms instead? He could always talk to his friend later. Or maybe his mother. Had Andromeda loved Ulrich? Rurik wondered now. The portal slid open and Rurik stepped inside. “Commander?” Bjorg’s voice came over the comm system in the tube. “Here,” Rurik hailed him. “The council ship got here faster than what they thought. They’ve entered the sector. Your uncle is requesting to be teleported aboard when they get into range.” “Damn,” Rurik muttered and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Fine. Let me know when they’ve entered the port space. I’ll be in my quarters.”

***** It was all Cassius could do to make his quarters standing up. The punishment was harsh this time, harsher than normal. Hell, when would his torment stop? Not until he was dead, he was sure. Easing himself into the room, he walked through the portal and caught his breath as he stared at the naked woman asleep on the bed. Parts of her golden hair fanned over the pillow while the rest lay about her face and shoulders. One long lock lay on her breast and curled around her nipple. Her form seemed to shimmer in the lowered lights, her sinewy muscles barely rippling with each even breath of her lithe body. She was a Lorelei, a siren come to tempt him to his doom, he was sure. Otherwise, he would have never taken the beating he’d just endured—the payment Craddock always took from him to satisfy his sadistic desires. The woman shivered and the nipples of her small, rounded breasts peaked. He scowled, knowing he should have heated the room more before he left or at least provided her with a covering.

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Thinking to warm her, he struggled to remove his clothes. Although he should tend to his wounds, he knew the bleeding had stopped and the nanobytes in his body were already at work repairing the damaged parts—an advantage to being a biodroid. But also one of the things that scared the normal humanoid population. His ability to heal himself so fast was far above anything a normal intelligent being could do. It was also the reason he and his kind were sterilized. He cringed in pain, remembering the chemicals that were pumped into him as a prepubescent child, ones that caused the irreversible damage to his reproductive organs. The sounds of him and his three companions screaming still rang in his mind. Taking off the last of his clothes, he slipped beside the woman and pulled up the bedcovers. Although he was part machine, he had a heart and a pulse, and his body warmed like any other human. He would share what he had with her. Moaning, she turned into him and rested her head on his biceps. Perhaps she sensed his heat. He wrapped his arms around her and entangled his legs with hers. Purposefully, he willed his body temperature higher, and for once was thankful for his biodroid talents. She inhaled deeply and nestled against him. A sense of peace overcame him, not of his body, but of his soul. Somehow she felt right in his arms. But he knew it wouldn’t last. For all practical purposes, she was a slave now as much as he, as they were both under the control of the headmaster. Although he did not think Craddock would destroy her, the headmaster did not see her as a Svendian offspring—only an endangered species. Cassius grimaced. Although Craddock stayed within the rules of the law, the man’s cold-bloodedness knew no bounds, even within his own family. But Cassius had no illusions. Even though Craddock had promised her to him, being a biodroid, he knew the powers in control of the galaxy would never let him own her. She was human. As far as the rest of the tech-advanced races were concerned, he was not. Yet there was no reason not to have her with him, even if it was only for a breath of time, because, for now, he was her only protector. He brushed a gold tress off her face, warmed by the easy feeling of her body next to his and the satisfaction of her soft exhalations on his skin. For once, he would dream the things that had been painfully taken away from him. For once he would imagine that she was his bondsmate, and he was hers. An impish smiled tickled the corners of her mouth and Cassius wondered what thoughts passed through her imagination. His lips twitched with humor. He placed a light touch of his mouth against her brow. She was his now. Or would be. At least for a time.

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Knowing that, he shut his eyes and dreamed of a life he could not have. One where he was a normal man, bonded and happy. One where his children played in the sun.

***** Rurik entered quietly. Trista still lay in bed. Good. He needed her closeness now. Stripping, he crawled in next to her. Her heady scent reached him. Her soft hair brushed his face as she nestled into him. He needed her so that he could live, breathe. He knew that, but was that love? Her head moved and he felt her tender lips against his neck. “You’re awake,” he whispered. “Yes,” she said, her voice husky. “Somehow, when you’re this close, I know it.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him. “I need you.” “I know.” She kissed him again and fitted her small hand against his chin. She turned his face to hers. Pausing, she swallowed before she spoke. “I love you, Rurik. I guess I always have. It’s only been you since the first time you found me at that moonlit pool, whether I thought you real or not.” Her eyes searched his for a reply. Why couldn’t he tell her he loved her? “I knew you were mine when I found you.” “I see.” Her haunted smile plagued him. “Rurik, before this accident, I had a life that I was proud of. Now what am I to do? What purpose do I have here besides loving you?” Her words tore at him. “Isn’t that enough?” She looked away. “No. I can’t accept that. Not anymore.” “But…” “Rurik, you’ll be off and about the galaxy doing God knows what. Now Hunter will too, although I feel better knowing he’s with you than in some third-world country on Earth getting shot at. I know Jinn will find Mercedes. My daughter, maybe yours, is brilliant. She’ll have no trouble finding a purpose, but I will. I don’t understand your world, yet I need a life, one that has meaning.” “But…” She shook her head. “There is no ‘but’, Rurik. After my breakup with Seth, I vowed I wouldn’t marry again unless it was for love. I love you but I don’t want to spend the next several hundred years married to a man who doesn’t feel the same way.” “Trista.” For once, he didn’t know what to say. “Give me time.” He sighed, pained that he couldn’t tell her he loved her, yet knowing he couldn’t live without her. She sighed then nodded. “Right now time is all I have.” “You have more than that.” Her scent stirred him. He couldn’t help himself. He kissed her, tasted the sweet flesh of her neck.

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Her sex stirred. He could smell it. She moaned. “Rurik, the things you do to me. It isn’t fair.” “Good, then I at least provide you with one advantage.” He teased her nape with his teeth. “Oh.” Her ragged breaths brushed his skin. “Rurik, without the sex I have nothing.” He laved her earlobe. “No, my Beloved, you will always have me and everything that I am.” She pulled away. Her green eyes studied him. “Then love me, Rurik, for you are all I have.” He knew only one way to do that. Bending, he touched his lips to a spot on her chest over her heart. Slowly he eased to her breast and took her nipple with a gentle tug of his teeth. Her gasp let him know her pleasure. He caressed her tit with his tongue awhile. Her breathing sharpened and he sensed her escalating passion. A gentle moan escaped her lips. Rurik slipped lower, nipping her skin lightly as he moved to her sex, yet the thought haunted him, was this love? With her heightened lust, her musky scent grew. He inhaled, savoring her. Parting the hair of her tender mons with his tongue, he took her nub and suckled it, relishing the sweet taste of her. He wouldn’t lose her. Couldn’t. But was that love? She arched her hips to meet him and ran her hands through his hair as she grasped for him. Rurik would give her the completion that her body yearned for. He grabbed her ass then took her wet clit with his mouth, nipping and licking her sex with enough pressure to stir her. Using his smaller fingers, he rubbed the area in between her anus and her labia then touched the anus itself, lightly penetrating the ring to stimulate the nerves within. Her anus tightened over his finger at these times. He moved his mouth between suckling her clit and penetrating her wet vagina with his tongue, his lips, his teeth, sometimes nipping on her labia, sending her crotch shooting up to him for more, making the muscles of her muff tighten with her pleasure. He put all he had into it. He would please her and make her happy. He had to. She was his mate. He couldn’t accept failure. Not in this. She shuddered as her climax escalated. He sucked hard on her nub once more then grazed it with his teeth as she came. Breathless, with his dick hard as stone, he gazed up at her. Her chest heaved, the nipples of her lush breasts peaked and her body flushed. His need for her pained his crotch. “I want to take you, Trista.”

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She reached for him and he went to her and lay on top of her. His hard cock brushed against her wet ass. “Mmmm,” she moaned. “Rurik, I need you so badly I get crazed with desire. Fuck me now. I can’t help it.” Kneeling between her legs, he lifted her hips and grabbed onto her bottom again, taunting her vaginal entrance and her clit with the tip of his pulsing organ. She wiggled her hips against him but he wouldn’t let her slip onto him, not yet. “Rurik, now, please.” “Patience, Beloved.” He gripped her ass harder and controlled her hips to run his erect cock from her anus to her clit and back again, inserting himself into her vagina a bit deeper with each pass. “After so much time together, I know you’re good for a few more orgasms. It’s my place to see you get them.” She chuckled at that then her breath caught as he shoved himself inside, hitting her at an angle where he knew from experience she felt the thrust of his penetration against the sensitive nerve endings within her. “Omigod.” With her arms by her side, she pushed against the bed, driving her hips harder into his hands. He stroked her more, making sure he rubbed against what Earthers called the Gspot. Her chest rose with each ragged breath, her breasts jiggled with each thrust of his cock. “Mmmmm.” She reached for her breasts to hold them. Seeing her touch herself drove him mad. “Yes, Trista,” he whispered, “pleasure yourself.” She tugged on her nipples, twisting them as she pulled them up. “God’s teeth,” he growled, craving release. Sweat from his restraint beaded on his brow. Her moans pitched higher. She came and not a moment too soon. When her climax peaked, he rammed into her completely until he sheathed himself and pumped with vigor. “Oh Rurik,” she panted, and toyed with her breasts again. Her vaginal walls clenched against him, putting him over the top. He roared as he came. His penis trembled. He felt each pulse of semen spew within her. Collapsing against her, he laid his head between those beautiful breasts of hers. Each breath she took pressed her flesh against his cheek and he listened to the steady rhythm of her heart. She was his. He would not let anyone else have her—nor would he lose her from neglect. No longer would he ignore her needs. “Tell me, Trista,” he kissed her between her breasts then stared into her deep green eyes, “what can I do to make you happy with me?”

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She smiled but the corners of her mouth were tinged with sadness. “I love you, Rurik, but like I said, I need a life. Something important to do.” She inhaled deeply and raised herself onto her elbows. He circled his arms around her ribs. “Jinn should be back with Mercedes soon. We will have our daughter.” Her brow arched. “You think she’s yours?” “She will be, blood or not. I won’t leave her there. And I will care for her as if I sired her myself. I promise you this.” She brushed his face with her fingers. “I want to go back to Earth. I have things I left there, things that are important to me. They may not seem like much to you. They’re pitiful things compared to what you can give me. Small things but they mean so much.” If this was all she needed, he could retrieve them with no effort. “I must deal with my uncle first and ensure the fleet is secure. Then I’ll take you and we’ll get whatever you want.” “Promise?” Her brows knitted. “Promise.” Relief filled him, knowing this was a simple thing. He kissed her waist then raised himself and lay to one side. She ran her hand along his chest. “I have so much to learn, Rurik. I don’t know that I’ll ever know what I need to know about your world.” “You’ll be fine.” He took her hand in his and kissed her fingers. “Everyone is ready to help you and the children. Don’t worry.” He gazed into her anxious face. “And I know you’ll find a purpose here, one you’ll be happy about.” She huffed playfully. “And how do you know that?” He was glad he finally understood some of her fears. “I saw you do it in the world you lived in. You’re still the same woman, the woman I took as mine so many years ago. I saw your determination then. If anything, you’ve grown stronger. You won’t let something like the unknown stop you. You never have.” She beamed. A tear came to her eye. “You’re right. I never thought of it that way.” “You’re incredible, Trista. I always thought so.” “Mmmm, really?” She snuggled against him. “Then show me again how incredible I am.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Make love to me again, Rurik. And mean everything you do.” “I can do that,” he said, and took her in his arms, hoping like hell his uncle was too far away to interrupt them.

***** Mercedes stretched as she lay on her side and snuggled against the warmth she felt against her rear. On a good blanket, the sand had always been a comfortable sleeping

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place. Today, it was even more so. It was so warm. Too warm. The sun must be up. How long had she been out? She purred as she stretched. Half comatose, she wasn’t quite able to wake yet and savored that ethereal place between consciousness and dreams. With her work and school schedule, she rarely got the opportunity to indulge in fantasies. And the one she’d had when she’d fallen asleep, it had to be a dream, right? Even so, she could still see the ice-blue fire in the stranger’s gaze when he saw her masturbating, and hear the words, “I could have helped you with that” if she would have asked. Hell. She was asking now and hoped his image would reappear in her brain. She was damned horny and a vision as hunky as him always helped to get her off. She sighed, wishing she had more of a social life, and dreamed again of this phantasm’s powerful arms wrapped around her. Her cunt tingled. Hell, she needed a good screw, and with a guy like that? Oh yeah. Granted, the vision surprised her at first, but wasn’t that part of the complete “sweep me off my feet” fantasy? Fuck, even now, she could feel him cradling her against his chest, the pulse of his heart thundering against her hand. And the way he looked at her? As if she were the only one who existed and he had to have her now. “Mmmm,” she thought. A dream lover. One who would carry her off to his ship and seduce her soundly. She smiled and managed to get a hand to her breast to finger her nipple. Her breathing grew heavy but she continued to dream, not wanting to let the idea of this man go. In her illusion, the tall, broad-shouldered man lay behind her. The warmth of his hard, muscular body roused her, making her sex cream. Damn, she needed a man. This celibate life she led made her crazy but she did it out of necessity. She had a goal. She wanted to finished her education first, but crap, she was exhausted. It was no wonder she’d fallen asleep. She wished she could find more of a respite. Between school and her internship, she had no time to find a steady partner—and even less to get properly laid. What she needed was a good fuck buddy. Some guy she could call when she needed a warm, pulsing cock to plow into her. A warm breeze brushed her and she inhaled, cherishing the intimate caress it gave the underside of her ear. She exposed the nape of her neck to catch more of the zephyr and pretended this strange man she’d dreamed about barely touched her skin there with his lips. She pulled on her breast’s tip harder as her consciousness took further control of the dream. Did she moan again? She let herself smile, enjoying the erotic sensation. She tweaked her nipple again, knowing it would peak and the stroke of a finger from someone else seemed to cover the tip of it. She pushed her hips back against the warmth, her mind making the bodily sensation seem like her illusionary fuck buddy, and hit a long hard stone. 164

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A stone? The erect member slid against the crack of her ass and in between her legs to rub against her labia then her clit. “Omigod.” She elbowed the man hard then jumped as far away as she could, gathering her scrambled wits as she scampered off the bed and glared at him. “Omigod!” She stood naked before the demigod—a bare, virile man with the body of Adonis who cringed at the strike she’d made to his ribs. “Fuck, who are you?” She tried to cover herself with her hands. Groaning, the man held his side and raised his torso. As he leaned on his elbow, he sucked in a breath himself. “If you don’t mind, I’ve had enough damage for one day,” he croaked. He caught his breath and cocked a black brow, letting a smirk deepen across his handsome features. “Last time I saw you, you were dressed,” she gritted out. The lustful smile stuck to his face. “I was only trying to warm you—and give you whatever else you may need.” He rolled onto his stomach and she saw the blue-black welts and dried blood on his back. She gasped. “Dear God, what happened to you?” She approached the edge of the bed, too frightened to get any closer. This man had kidnapped her for real and was much stronger than she. Still she grew concerned he was really hurt. “Are you all right?” He lifted his head and stared at her, studied her for a while. After a moment, the harshness in his gaze abated. “I’ll be fine.” He struggled to push his chest off the bed. As he did so, Mercedes pulled the cover sheet off and used the cloth to wrap around her, staring at the wounds—and the broad muscular back and tight, wellformed ass that had sustained them. He turned away from her and groaned again as he slid his legs over the other side and sat on the edge of the bed. He was in pain and she had caused him more injury. “You need those treated. Do you have something I could do that with?” He huffed and glanced over his shoulder at her. “I’ll take care of them.” Gingerly, he stood and hobbled to a door. He waved his hand over a pad on the wall. The panel slid open and he went into what looked like a bathroom. She followed, curious about the technology—and him. Standing near the doorway, she studied him. His long body was lean but muscular, his shoulders sculpted like a statue. Jet-black hair adorned his pubic area but his fading hard-on couldn’t be missed. His cock was long and thick but not overly so, and his balls were well proportioned. Perfect. Hell. She swallowed, feeling like Goldilocks as she checked out the porridge—not too hot, not too cold. She swallowed. She had wanted this man. Had he somehow known that? “What do you want me to do?” He lifted a corner of his mouth. “If I told you that, you might hurt me again.” He pressed a few buttons on a console and a spray came out of the walls and the ceiling of

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the shower. He took a breath then limped the few steps to get in. Before he did so, he looked over his shoulder to her. “Did you want to watch?” She almost choked. “You don’t care?” “Humph.” He smirked again and stepped in. The spray coated him. He lowered his head and placed his hands on the back wall, resting against it. The dried blood washed away, and little by little the discoloration around the wounds cleared. At first Mercedes didn’t see it but then the split skin knit tighter and seemed to heal, the surface looking remarkably perfect after a while. “How?” She held the sheet with one hand and pointed with the other. The mist from the shower got her fingers wet. She looked around. Without knowing it, she had come inside, so mesmerized she hadn’t even realized how close she’d gotten to him. He stood and turned to look at her a moment, then with that haughty, yet sexy, come-on smile, he turned sideways to her, letting the water from the jets hit his front and rear torso at the same time. She watched as the water sluiced down his body, highlighting his sculpted frame. Closing his eyes, he ran his hands from his waist to his hairless chest, rubbing the tips over his nipples then tugging on the small nubs. He opened his mouth and let some of the water dribble inside. Mercedes couldn’t miss the cock that bobbed up and down in front of him. He hardened again. As he bent his head back, his penis saluted and stood at attention, as if reaching for the water itself. Drops pulsed against the underside of the thickened organ. Mercedes licked her lips, wondering how he tasted and how that pulsing flesh would fit nicely inside her. He flexed his legs. The sinew in them seemed to ripple in the warm water. Slowly, his hands drifted lower against his body until he could grasp himself with both hands. Taking a firm hold, he stroked himself with a smooth, even motion, letting the sides of his fingers squeeze the glans of his sex as they moved to the top. She held her breath. She’d heard of intimate sex play between friends but she’d never experienced it. She watched in fascination as the cleft of her vagina grew moist. His chest rose and fell at a faster beat as his hands moved in a rhythm, slowly gaining speed. She wanted to touch herself too. Even more, she wanted to jump on him and make him come. He opened his eyes slightly and peered at her through dark slits with that radiating blue interior. “Go ahead,” he rasped. “Let me see you.” Did he know what she was thinking? The icy blues pierced her. Her breaths came harder, more ragged. The lascivious tug on the corners of his lips fired the carnal need in her. “It’ll be okay. I won’t think poorly of you.” His eyes softened as his warm, deep voice flowed over her. “But…”

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He stroked himself more and squeezed the tip as he reached it. “Don’t torture yourself. No moral reasoning here. Just pleasure. You need it. Take it. Touch yourself.” Her chest rose and fell in tune with his. She closed her eyes. With a cautious hand, she reached under the sheet for her breast and rubbed her fingertips over her nipple. “I’ve seen you do better.” His rich voice turned gravelly, husky—seductive, tempting her on. She looked at him. His eyes spoke to her of sex and forbidden pleasures. Shutting her lids again, she pulled on her tit and twisted it slightly. She wasn’t into pain but she needed more than a soft touch to turn her on. Somehow he knew that. Her breath caught. She panted. Holding the edges of the sheet under her arms, she let her other hand slide to her hip, craving to touch herself farther down but not daring to do so in the presence of this man. “I won’t judge you,” he murmured, urging her. “Take yourself and give yourself pleasure. It isn’t a sin.” She eased her hand lower. The slow movement made her cream even more and intensified her rising passion. When she reached her mons, she parted the hairs with her middle finger and lightly caressed the nub she found underneath. She moaned, needing the touch, wanting more. “Harder,” he whispered, sounding closer. Using more pressure, she bore down on the nubbin, running her finger over the flesh with more vigor. “Ohhh geez,” she murmured. She couldn’t help herself. She pulled on her tit and used two fingers on her clit now, fondling with vigor. “Now, pinch your sex. Not hard. Let me see you.” Panting, she popped her eyes open. He still stood in the shower but he’d come closer. Water streamed down his back and she saw the steam rise off him like a cloud. Droplets beaded against his olive-colored skin, contouring his powerful muscles, making his body shimmer. With lowered lids, he watched her now, bare lust in his gaze. One hand continued to stroke his penis, albeit more slowly, while the other fingered his balls. The sensual scene peaked her cravings. Man, did she want to get laid. And she wanted him to do it. “I…” She could hardly speak. The corner of his wanton mouth rose, heightening his already carnal appeal. “I know. We will. But gratify yourself first. I want to see you.” She couldn’t help herself. She wanted to please him. Keeping her eyes on him to gauge his reaction, she took the fold of her clit between her thumb and forefinger and pinched herself. She gasped as the fiery sensation shot from the crux of her vee to the nipples on her breasts and outward over the rest of her torso. Her eyes closed this time with a will of their own. Letting the sheet fall, this basic need forced her to focus on the salacious responses strumming through her. “Oh God!” She’d never realized.

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He chuckled lightly. “If you want to use your other hand to plunge inside you, I can manage your breasts.” He must have stepped in front of her. His roughened breath caressed her ear. In answer to him, she lowered her other hand. “Tweak your nether lips, too, before you insert your fingers. You won’t be sorry.” She peered at him. Panting while rubbing and pinching her clit, she took her free hand and nipped the folds of her labia between her thumb and forefinger. “Hmm.” She squeezed her knees together as her eyelids fluttered shut and the muscles from the inside of her vagina to her anus clenched. She could barely stand—yet she wouldn’t stop. This ecstatic feeling was more than she’d ever experienced. He grasped her arms, steadying her. Opening her eyes once more, she studied him, and for a brief moment, wondered who he was and why he did this to her, driving her like this—until her libido drove her wanton needs to the fore again. She moaned. He lowered his head to her breast. The respirations of his breath stroked her skin as he chuckled. When he took her nipple between his teeth and grazed the nub she plunged a finger inside her wet pussy. Groaning, she clenched the digit with the small muscles of her inner walls and stroked, shoving another finger inside to help satisfy her need for stimulation. The man suckled on her breast, changing how he licked and nipped her. He massaged her arms where he held them then let his hands drop to her hips, sending his fingers lower, grasping at the flesh of her rear then moving his palms as he kneaded his fingers along the curves of her ass. She pumped her hand harder and pinched her clit more, needing the gripping passion the pressure gave her. Grasping a rear cheek, her unknown lover pulled on it to open her slit in the back, exposing her anus. The fingers of his other hand slid down her butt and moved into the crevice, teasing the sides, rubbing the area between her sex and her rear hole. Then he ran a fingertip around the circle of her anus and plunged the tip inside. She gasped, never having felt such sexual intensity before. “Ohhh!” She cried aloud as she peaked and collapsed against the man. He held her, cradled her against him in sweet ecstasy. A mix of perspiration and the wetness of the man’s body coated her front and rear. A bit dizzy but sated nonetheless, she didn’t fight him this time when he lifted her and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and went to a counter that held another pad and a screen. After touching the pad a few times, he came to her, his hard-on bobbing with each step. He crawled onto the bed and crouched over her. “I’m going to take you now.” She stared into his eyes, noted the intense lust in his gaze and something more, something she didn’t expect. Caring.

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Leaning to her, he whispered in her ear, “Trust me.” Pulling a pillow to the side of her hip, he whipped her over, straddling her hips on top of the padding. He settled the pillow so her butt angled upward, exposing both holes. Suddenly, he hovered over her. Anxiety gripped her. “What are you…” “Shhh.” He settled his hands on the backs of hers, holding her down, and leaned into her again. “For your safety, trust me.” His breath brushed her ear. Trust him? Her fear of him turned to something else, something that escalated her rocketing sex drive, and piqued her curiosity. Though she was still nervous, for some reason her gut told her she could believe him. With a few short jerks of her chin, she nodded. He paused a minute. She knew he studied her. She didn’t know what to expect. The unknown, the thought of him lusting over the view of her, left her heady with anticipation. Her shallow breathing grew more uneven. He parted her legs with his knee and crouched in between. She tried looking behind her but she could hardly see him from the side of her eye. Instead she focused on his flexed forearms, the sinew that tensed in them as he slid his knees against the inside of her thighs to spread her legs farther apart. The moisture between her legs thickened. She could feel the cooler air of the room on it. The juxtaposition of her warmth and the chill tantalized and tingled her clit. She rubbed her mons against the pillow and squeezed her thighs to clench her vagina, but his legs kept her from doing so. “That’s my girl,” the man rasped. She turned her face into the bed and purred, a part of her embarrassed that such exposure with this stranger would turn her on so completely. She felt the tip of his cock against her ass. “No.” She’d never had anal sex before and thought, as big as he was, it’d hurt. She tried to move. He wouldn’t let her. Releasing one hand, he slapped her butt cheek. “Be still.” “Oh.” She reached back to hit him but he grabbed her hand and held it down again. “Trust me,” he whispered in her ear through gritted teeth. “I won’t hurt you and you need this as much as me.” Could she? She stayed motionless, praying he didn’t lie, wanting a release from the intense sexual pressure, knowing there was nothing she could do to prevent whatever was to happen. Her chest heaved against the bed, the unknown driving the intensity of her pleasure. He touched his penis to her again, lower. Somehow he slid his cock against her crevice, ran his stiff sex along her vagina, poking it in and out, teasing her, then running his hard flesh against her clit. The act caused her fear to abate. He lay against her back. The muscles in his chest flexed against her as he did so. He muttered in her ear again. “Trust me. Don’t fight.”

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Fisting his large hands around hers, he pushed himself up on his knuckles. Sliding down her back, he released her and let his hands traverse her back to her ass as he settled his knees under her thighs. Pulling the cheeks apart, he nipped one then the other. Moving lower, he rimmed her anus, the sensation firing the nerves of her sex. He eased his tongue to her cunt and licked, darted his tongue inside then pulled her hips up higher to nibble on her clit. She’d never had someone so experienced in pleasure. She moaned, a response she could no longer control, and gasped as he took her hips and raised them to settle her butt closer to his torso, running along her crevice again with his hard cock. “Mmmm.” She tried to move her hips, wanting to grasp more of him, but he controlled her now, and somehow knew the slow insertions he made, the bit-by-bit escalation of his assaults into her vagina, turned her on with abandon. Never before had she’d been so wanton. Her voice rose. Her panting came louder. The presses of his cock rode her harder but still he didn’t take her. “Please.” She could barely speak. “I need…” He shoved his penis into her sex. “Computer, total privacy.” The man’s voice sounded strained. His grip tightened on her hips as he pumped her hard, stroking the sexual fibers of her being, driving her to heights she’d never imagined. “God!” she screamed as he filled her again, and the spasm of the muscles of her canal clamped around him, but there was no help for the response. She couldn’t stop now. With her orgasm looming, she teetered on the edge of sexual bliss. She lifted her head and pushed her hands against the bed as she came, pressing back against him as best she could, savoring the erotic sensation. With shallow breaths, she let her forehead drop against the sheet. She purred as he fingered her clit and pumped into her twice more, groaning when he came inside her. She ran her hand through her hair as sanity seeped into her brain. What had she done? Still inside her, he ran his hands up the sides on her body then lay on her and kissed her neck with the familiarity of a lover she would have known for years. Mercedes looked over her shoulder. The man moved half off her to the side and smiled. “You will be mine now, Mercedes, for however long I can manage this treasure.” Her body tingled and her mind fogged with sexual ecstasy. She narrowed her eyes as she studied him, mystified. “Who are you?” she whispered. “What do you want?” He slid off her. Taking her in his arms, he lay on his back and settled her atop him. He kissed her, taking her lips with intense ardor yet great tenderness, as if he needed her more than he could say. “I know you’re confused but I’ll explain all to you when the time is right. For now, know that I am Cassius of Vulgaria.” He flashed his white teeth

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in a cocky grin. “And right now I think you have more pressing needs for me to attend to.” He kissed her, took her mouth with such passion. Her libido spiked again. “Promise?” she uttered softly as he nibbled her earlobe. He kissed the underside of her chin then gazed at her with sincerity. “Trust me,” he said, then took her mouth with his. She yielded to him, wanted him, and knew somehow she could do just that—trust him.

***** Standing with his pants to his knees, Craddock slammed the console as the picture disappeared. “That damn droid! Fuck, I should have known better. It took me literally. Only to penetration.” He had wanted to see the complete scene. See the bio fuck the alluring animal that had come from Rurik’s sperm, wanting to see the result of Rurik’s sexual violation to his own people brought low. Damn it. He exhaled through gritted teeth to steady himself because, he knew, she would only be the first. He still had the Earther “mate” and the male offspring to deal with. Frustrated, he pumped his cock harder, craving the release, imagining the hard surface of Cassius’ manlike body—and the soft interior of the thing, knowing how proud Cassius was and how low the biodroid always felt after Craddock took him. An intentional ploy, one Craddock continued to use to put the abominable thing in its place. The fucker. He scowled. Originally Craddock had wanted one of the female biodroids but Cassius had proven his worth. And in some ways, Craddock had found him easier to manipulate. Especially now. The droid wanted the woman. Bad. If he hadn’t, Craddock would have never had the opportunity to plunder Cassius again. The ownership contract forbade Craddock from touching Cassius without the bio’s express approval. “Damn, Sophos. The machine was built for pleasure. They all were.” Yet there were some who liked to think the bios were human. Thank the ancestors Craddock and his comrades had put a stop to that. If these things had multiplied… Craddock shook with the thought. To have such abominations populating the galaxy. If the biomachine race had grown large enough, nothing could have stopped them from taking over. They were like a retrovirus. They could have infected and mutated all the progeny of the intelligent species, especially the humanoid ones. He couldn’t let that happen. Not when he and others like him couldn’t spread their pure DNA themselves. But he had stopped it. He and his friends. And without anyone knowing they were behind it. 171

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Snickering to himself, he leered, reminding himself of the control he had, the power. He slapped his balls a few times and fiercely squeezed his rod as he stroked, making it redden. He liked the intensity of the hurt. It made him remember the low station that as a sterile fuck he’d been relegated to—and what he’d done to overcome it. Never again would he be looked down upon. He squeezed his eyes closed, remembering his youth. The fact his younger brother had risen to be the favored one, had taken Craddock’s place in the hierarchy of the family. Because Ulrich had been fertile. The truth that Craddock had lost the one woman he’d loved—because he wasn’t. The agony he’d felt over the demeaned state was more than any physical wound would have given him. Pain. Yes, the anguish made him remember. And when he could, he liked making sure everyone else suffered as much as he. His balls tightened. His dick pulsed in his palm. A fiery quivering shook his body as his nerve endings closed in on his sexual release. Craddock pounded his flesh harder. A spurt of pre-cum covered his hand. He closed his eyes. The picture of his Beloved appeared before him. The red marks from his hands curled like a circlet around her neck. Her pale face, even in death, made him weep. “I will avenge you,” he whispered. Then he spewed his latent seed.

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Chapter Fourteen Cassius petted the gentle woman in his arms again, savoring her. They had screwed several times already. He knew her flesh grew tender, but like two people who were driven by the claiming, she needed to get laid as much as he needed to do it. “Mmmm,” Mercedes purred against him. “How do you know what I want before I even say anything?” “What do you mean?” he whispered into the strands of her hair, wishing she didn’t realize he could read her so well. She peered at him with her teal eyes. “Somehow you know what I want. At least sexually. How?” He didn’t want to tell her he could read other thoughts in her mind, an unusual thing with a human. Granted, the biodroids could do so between themselves but that was different. The nanobyte electronics allowed it to happen when a droid wanted it. With her? He wasn’t sure what had happened. “Your body tells me.” He closed his lips over hers and outlined her mouth with his tongue. “I was trained for pleasure. Knowing a woman’s signals is part of that.” Her eyes narrowed. “You were trained?” He nodded. Knowing the world she lived in, Cassius understood her confusion. “My father was a Vulgarian but my mother was a Nyphosian.” A cute snort came from her. Her brows arched. “Like in a nympho?” He smirked. “I suppose. The Nyphosians believe in all kinds of sexual interludes.” “I see.” She suppressed a grin then her gaze took on a worried tinge. She swallowed. “What kind of ship is this?” He paused. “You’re a brilliant woman—even by galactic standards. I think you know.” She pressed her lips together. “How far in space are we?” His turn to swallow. “Too far for you to return.” He didn’t want to give her any false hopes. “But…I…” She pushed against his chest to leave him but he wouldn’t let her go. “I need to get back. I have family there.” Grim, Cassius wondered if he should divulge more. “Actually, you don’t. Your mother and brother are safe aboard another’s ship.” At least for now. “How?” Curiosity then mystification showed in her face. He bit his bottom lip. “Your father is a Svendian. He came to get all of you.” “What?” 173

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Cassius liked to watch her expressions. “Your father is a commander of the Svendian fleet. The one you thought was your father was never capable of siring children.” “How do you know this?” He couldn’t tell her. “I know quite a bit about you and your family but I can’t tell you much more than that.” “Why?” He shook his head. “Don’t ask, Mercedes. Telling you anything else could compromise your safety.” Her lips thinned. “Can you take me to them?” A knock on the Ploruvian steel door saved Cassius from reply. From the sound, there was only one person it could be. Rising, he strode to the portal and opened it. A little taller and a little leaner, the blond man with creamed-coffee-colored skin stood with a worried frown slanted across his face. “Knossos.” Cassius nodded to his fellow biodroid. His friend’s eyes narrowed. “I heard,” he whispered. “I got away as soon as I could. Do you…would you like some company?” Knossos was a complete Nyphosian. Unlike Cassius, he had no warrior tendencies. He knew his friend only meant to give him comfort. Cassius shook his head. “No, that won’t be necessary.” Knossos shuddered. “Why did you let him this time? One of these days he’s going to go too far. You know that.” The sound of small feet sounded behind him. Cassius glanced at Mercedes as she approached. So did Knossos. A sly grin slipped over his friend’s face. “Now I see why you don’t want me. Found someone else to soothe your wounds, did you?” Cassius huffed. Mercedes had covered herself with the thin bedcover. The corner of his friend’s mouth crooked upward as he stared at her. The sheet didn’t cover much. Her small yet perky breasts tented the fabric and Cassius could see her dusky nipples and the hair of her mons through the cloth. Knossos sniffed the air. “She’s certainly unique. Where?” he whispered the last. Cassius peered at him, communicating with their strange psychic bond so Mercedes couldn’t hear. She’s Rurik’s daughter. Craddock intends to make her and her mother and brother disappear. Tell Sophos. Save Mercedes. Don’t trust Craddock. He’ll destroy them all. I do not want to have to kill someone else. The plans I told you. Craddock is on the move. Catch him. Before it’s too late. Mercedes slid behind him. Staring at the girl, Knossos’ eyes popped wide for a moment with surprise. His friend looked at Cassius and nodded. Then bowing to Mercedes in the way of a Svendian or Vulgarian to a newly introduced fertile female, the only other male biodroid in existence took his leave. 174

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“Who was that?” Mercedes asked. He turned and took her upturned face in his palm. “A friend.” She studied him through the slits her eyes had become. “Are—” She pressed her lips together a moment before she spoke. “Are you gay?” The laugh came from his gut. He took her in his arms and kissed her. “Not really. I much prefer women but like I said, I was trained to sexually please. Everyone.” “I see.” She licked her lips then a tentative look appeared in her face. “When will you take me to my mother?” The elation and hope he felt at the fortunate visit of Knossos abated. “I won’t.” He closed the door. Releasing her, he strode toward the bed. “What do you mean?” She followed him. He swerved and studied her, felt the hint of alarm in her and the edges of curiosity. “I cannot.” “Why?” He paused, disgusted with himself. “Right now, you’re as much a slave as I am.” “A slave?” she shouted, protesting. “Like hell.” She turned to the door. And let the sheet slide off her as she put her hands on the metal and tried to open it. Spinning her around, he grasped her arms and held her in front of him, shaking her once to get her attention. “No. Don’t cause trouble, Mercedes. Right now you’re safe. You saw what happened to me. I can take the pain and heal myself. You cannot.” He softened his harsh voice. “I do not want to see you hurt.” Terror rose in her eyes. “What’s going on?” He couldn’t tell her. This had to work. If it didn’t, Cassius would have hell to pay— and maybe Mercedes would as well. Worse yet, Cassius had tricked Craddock. He knew the headmaster’s lurid desires would only be temporarily appeased. Above all, Cassius wanted to protect Mercedes. He took her in his arms. “Trust me,” he murmured against her mouth then took her lips with all the passion his emotion-deprived body could give.

***** On his hands and knees, Rurik growled under his breath as he looked for Trista’s other breast shield. His uncle had shown up unannounced and even now made his way to Rurik’s quarters. The bell on the portal sounded. “Found it.” Trista stood and handed a breast shield to him. He placed it on her then grasped the sheer covering she’d laid on the bed and tossed it over her head. “How do I look?” She fluffed her hair as she peered in the mirrored wall. He stopped a moment to appreciate her. Mussed or not, he thought her the most perfect woman he’d ever met. Did that mean he loved her? 175

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His brain hurt thinking about it. “Well?” She swerved to gaze to him. He smiled. “You’re beautiful. Don’t worry.” He took her arm. “He’ll adore you.” With her hand on his arm, he escorted her to the door and waved his palm over the sensor to open it. When the portal slid open, Craddock stood at the entrance with his entourage of guards, a peculiar grin on his face. “Rurik.” Arms outstretched, Craddock came forward. His uncle hugged him once then patted him on the shoulder and took a step back, eyeing Trista. “Your bondsmate, I take it?” Appreciation hovered in the man’s gaze. Rurik nodded. “Uncle, meet Trista, now of Svendia.” He clicked his heels together and in royal deference, bowed his head to Trista. She blushed and held out her hand. “A privilege, my lady.” His uncle took Trista’s fingers and, per formal ceremonial introductions, placed a mock kiss on the back of them. Craddock straightened to attention and clasped his hands behind him. “I’m so pleased that things have finally worked out for both of you.” He glanced at Rurik. “I can see now why you have been so driven. She’s perfect.” Trista’s face reddened even more. “Thank you.” She lowered her chin in a feminine bow. Squeezing his eyes shut, Craddock jerked his chin in a nod then took a deep breath and stared at Rurik. “We must talk.” From other discussions with his uncle, Rurik knew what Craddock wanted. His uncle was concerned about the attacks and the traitor. Craddock wanted to take Trista and Hunter with him to safety. “Come in. Whatever needs to be said can be spoken in front of my bondsmate. Her opinion in this is as important.” Pain flitted across Craddock’s face as he entered and stood by the door. His uncle blinked. “There are…” He looked away then took a deep breath and looked back, staring Rurik in the eyes. “It appears Jinn has been taken.” “What?” The shock nearly tumbled him. “How do you know?” His uncle’s lips thinned. “We intercepted a transmission. I’ve brought Sophos, primarily to smooth these random attacks out between the Vulgarians and ourselves. I sent her on in a transport. Hopefully she can negotiate Jinn’s release. The one who has her…” He shook his head. “It’s—” “Drakkar,” Rurik finished for him. “His is the only fleet in this sector.” Craddock nodded. His sister in that bastard’s grasp? “I’ll kill him.” Craddock sighed. “I’m wondering how to tell your mother.” He waved at Rurik to calm. “But we must let Sophos handle this. We do not want to breach the truce.”

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“Fuck the truce,” Rurik steamed. “Rurik,” Craddock scolded. “Your lady.” Rurik glanced at Trista’s pale face. “What about Mercedes?” she asked. Craddock shook his head. “I’m afraid, my dear, she is missing. This is what took me so long. I traveled to Earth first to find her.” He stared at Rurik. “We believe Drakkar has her as well. Apparently, he’s been stalking her.” “Damn.” Rurik pounded his fist against the doorjamb. “Rurik.” Shaking, Trista grabbed onto him, her fear for Mercedes apparent. He took her in his arms. “She’ll be fine. I swear it.” He held her tight. “We must find the traitor,” Craddock growled. “Rurik, you’re my favorite nephew and you know I admire your leadership but I’m going over your head. I know Bjorg can be trusted but I don’t know about your friend. I know you confided in him. And you told me yourself he had his secrets,” his uncle hissed. “Alaric?” Rurik knew his childhood comrade would never betray him but if not him, who? Only Craddock, Alaric, his mother and Bjorg, his Number One, knew where they’d gone. Of course, then there was Jinn. She knew some things but not all. Yet Drakkar was a sly one. Perhaps they had simply stayed in one place too long? “Are you coming?” Craddock’s voice steeled. Rurik sent him a short nod. “Stay here,” he ordered Trista. “Nothing doing.” He glared at her. “That isn’t a request.” She sent him a stony look of her own. “It’s my daughter we’re talking about. I’m coming.” Craddock chuckled. “Bondsmates. Ah, I’m blessed not to have one. Come.” He took Trista’s arm. “You can stand in the rear with me.” Rurik snarled as his uncle escorted her to the transporter. While en route, Craddock briefed him on some new “facts” he had discovered. Rurik couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t. In moments they stood in front of Alaric’s door. “Break in,” Craddock ordered, signaling to his troops and pushing Trista behind him. Rurik ground his teeth, praying that Alaric could prove himself. Craddock had already gotten approval for Alaric’s arrest should the allegations find merit. After clamping the initiators on the door, a carefully guarded mechanism that would open any portal on the ship without notice, the guards activated the devices. Silently, the door slid open and the armed group rushed inside. A woman screamed. Rurik rushed in then stared at the scene in disbelief. “What the—”

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Craddock marched in beside him. Taking in the sight, his uncle snickered. “Andromeda, well, well.” Rurik looked from Craddock back to the bed. His mother and his best friend lay naked under the bed cover. Alaric glared at Craddock then swallowed as he took in Rurik himself. “I can explain.” “You bloody well better,” Rurik thundered as Trista came alongside him. “I thought so.” Trista looked at the couple then back at him. “Oh Rurik, can’t you see?” She smiled. “See what?” He glared at her. “They’re in love.” She covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled, her green eyes dancing with glee. As if his head had a will of its own, he whipped around to stare at the couple, amazed at his own stupidity. “By the ancestors,” he hissed, dumbfounded. “Now I understand,” Rurik heard Craddock mutter. Rurik stared at his uncle. “You knew about this?” Craddock smirked. “No, of course not.” He crossed his arms and scowled. “But then, this only leaves one person who could be the traitor, I’m sorry to say.” He lowered his voice as if pained. “I would never have believed it.” “Who?” His patience at an end, Rurik’s voice boomed. Craddock peered at him under heavy brows, dragging out his response. “Who else? She must have overheard you at times,” he mumbled. “Uncle…” Rurik glared. Craddock jerked his head up and stared at Rurik. “There is only one person we know who is in Vulgarian hands now.” “Jinn,” Rurik muttered then heard his mother gasp.

***** Finding nothing suitable to wear, Jinn decided to forgo the workout, preferring not to parade her mostly naked ass over the middle of a training room filled with men. Although most of the males eyed her with open contempt when she pretended not to look, she saw more lust in their gaze than she cared to admit. At one time, that would have excited her, but now? There was only one man who filled her libidinous thoughts. How could a few moments with the Intrepid’s captain engulf her so completely? Jinn wanted to scream at the irony. Why her? How could her worst enemy be her bondsmate? It would never work.

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Pressing her lips together, she kept her frustration hidden as she listened to Kaia. At least the excuse to exercise got her out of Drakkar’s lair—and away from his lingering scent. Yet even now thoughts of Drakkar’s warm, powerful arms cradling her to him flooded her mind and possessed her body. Grumbling under her breath, Jinn glanced around, trying to find something to distract her wayward brain. A tall, lithe woman scowled at her from the bar in the recreation room. Great. Another who hated her. Sighing, she turned away, knowing that if she ever came back to Drakkar to stay, she would never have friends. But first she had to escape. Huffing, she scanned the area, constantly looking for an opening, some niche that would let her flee before Drakkar came near her again. Now that she was away from the man’s scent, her sense of balance had come back with a vengeance. Before anything else, she had a mission to complete. She had to get Mercedes safely to Rurik. Someone aboard that council vessel had the girl. Jinn wanted to know why and thought that perhaps the answer would provide a clue to these mysterious attacks. Most of her uncle’s crew were a close men-at-arms but there could be a mole. Somehow she would find out then get to her brother to tell him what she knew. Still, her first step was to get away, as far from Drakkar as she could. Around him, she couldn’t think at all. Besides, Drakkar had a plan of his own. Whatever it was, she had no intention of letting him use her, especially not to harm her brother. She scowled, reminding herself that her scheming bondsmate-to-be didn’t seem to be as muddled as she was when she stood near him. Obviously the effects of this unfathomable biological attraction didn’t affect him the same way it did her. Although it could partially be from the infusion Jinn had taken, she had to wonder. Somehow Drakkar was able to keep his brains in his head as opposed to the lower aspects of his body. Whereas she had reacted in the reverse. God’s teeth, how could her control have slipped so badly? She sneered, punishing herself for the weakness, praying her lapse into carnal pleasures was because of the period of abstinence she’d endured, hoping like hell the lusty bouts with Drakkar had now sated her. She picked the drink up Kaia had ordered for her and sipped it slowly, pretending to listen to the girl’s inane chatter, mostly over Kaia’s brother and what a great guy he was. Right. One way or another, Drakkar intended harm to her brother, she was sure. Hell, the shatz Drakkar gave her. That he would work things out. How could he? The two men hated each other. Yet she knew now someone else had fueled the rivalry, but who? She closed her eyes to think. Instead, Drakkar’s tender words sounded in her brain and reminders of his heady scent filled her. The smoldering sense of Drakkar’s sex and its ability to fill her swooped through her body. No, she couldn’t afford to think of him, not as her lover.

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She squeezed her lids briefly, trying to withstand the pain of loss, wondering if she would ever see him again, but logic had to rule the day now, to save her people. To save herself. Drakkar would never let her be a warrior and he wanted to use her for some scheme. The strong reminder helped her think. She considered what she knew so far. After much deliberation, she had decided there could be no other reason for Drakkar’s plan. Her betrothed wanted revenge. Although perhaps now that he’d claimed her, he wouldn’t want her brother’s blood. At least, she hoped not. She gulped, knowing she could be the only one to stop this, knowing she had to get away from Drakkar—forever, if she wanted her old life back. Still, her body heated with every thought of him. How could she live with such torture? “So this is the new Svendian mate?” Jinn rolled her eyes upward and gazed at the ceiling. Caught up in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard the woman approach, but if the skinny bitch from the bar wanted a fight, Jinn was more than in the mood to give her one.

***** “Jinn is not a traitor.” Rurik paced the room. “She can’t be. She hates that bastard.” “Drakkar, you mean. The man you think killed your father, even though a galactic tribunal found him innocent.” Trista didn’t have the total sense of this war but some things were coming home to her with a vengeance. Alaric had been placed under Craddock’s personal guard until more was known. Andromeda had cordoned herself off with him. Drakkar had Jinn, and her daughter was missing. Could Craddock be right? Could the Vulgarian enemy they called Drakkar have Mercedes? Trista grimaced. All of Rurik’s closest friends and family were suspect now, except her and Hunter, and Hunter knew less of this stuff than she did. What could they do? Worse yet, Rurik’s uncle wanted to take her and Hunter away. Back to Svendia where they would be safe. She didn’t like that idea and neither did Hunter. If they left, that would leave Rurik alone. She couldn’t do that to him. Not now. The comm on the console sounded. “Commander.” It was Bjorg. Trista could recognize his voice now. “We’re nearing Earth.” Rurik stopped his pacing. “Thank you.” “You’re taking me home?” He turned and gave her a worried smile. “I promised you we would return to get your things.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know, Trista, Craddock is right about one thing. You’re not safe on this vessel. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t leave you there for now.”

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She stood, ready to fight him on this. “Don’t you dare. After everything you’ve been through. Hell, after everything I’ve been through, you will not leave me at all. I’m your mate now, and as far as I’m concerned, there are some things about this mating business you need to learn as well.” She strolled up to him and put her arms around his neck then kissed him. “And one of them is that we stick together, no matter what. You are not leaving me, not again.” She kissed him once more, longer this time, and knew, somewhere over the last few crazy hours, she’d discovered something else. Somehow, she would try to make this work. Even with all her issues with Rurik, she didn’t want to live without him.

***** The woman still talked. Mostly to Kaia, trying to hook the girl into some argument. Her nasally voice irritated Jinn, along with the sarcasm that oozed from the unknown warrior’s snide face. Jinn studied the woman with outward indifference, measuring the fighter’s possible strengths and hoped-for weaknesses. “So, Svendian,” the bitch finally bared her claws at Jinn, “you think you can please our captain? His tastes are quite insatiable you know.” Jinn smirked. “No, I wouldn’t know. Nor do I care.” “Go away, Etain,” Kaia interrupted. “She doesn’t need any grief from you.” The short, light brown hair on the woman’s head seemed to bob as she swung her gaze toward Kaia. A malicious gleam rose in the woman’s golden eyes. “And you think you can stop me?” Kaia glared. “I won’t need to. Drakkar protects his own.” The glowering lines around the woman’s mouth etched deeper. “As well I know.” Kaia tensed like a cat ready to pounce. “He won’t take you back. He has claimed Jinn.” The warrior huffed. Swerving, she stared at Jinn. “You really think he wants you?” Her words dripped with poison. “Think again. You’re only a whore to him, one he can use to get to your brother.” “That’s a lie.” Kaia darted up, ready to face the older, more experienced fighter. “Kaia, sit down.” With an even gaze, Jinn met the woman’s glare but inside, she worked to keep her cool. The warrior only reaffirmed what Jinn believed but she didn’t want the bitch to hurt Kaia. Although everyone else on the ship had paid Jinn the proper deference as a fertile female, Kaia was the only one who’d been kind. Whatever else Drakkar’s sister was, she’d befriended Jinn. Jinn wasn’t about to forget that. The female glared at Kaia. Jinn tensed, ready to act on Kaia’s behalf, but after a few moments, Drakkar’s sister sat. “I’ll only say this once more. Go away, Etain, and leave us alone. Drakkar doesn’t want you.” But Kaia’s words only inflamed the bitch. Jinn could read the anger in the warrior’s eyes. 181

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A past lover. The thought ruffled Jinn. A warrior… Where was her brain? On Drakkar’s talented cock she was sure. Jinn shook her head to clear her thoughts then took a quick study of the woman. The female wore a waist pack. Her uniform blouse had a communicator pinned to it. A plan formed in her muddled brain. Jinn wondered if it would work but she had no choice. This was her only opportunity. Drakkar would be back soon then she wouldn’t be able to think at all. Could she pull it off? Jinn smiled. There was only one way to find out. “So, you were one of his lovers.” Kaia snorted. “Not for long. She only likes to think my brother wants her.” Kaia returned the woman’s stony stare. “But he doesn’t.” Kaia’s lip curled. “I don’t know what he ever saw in you in the first place.” “You wouldn’t, you impudent little snit,” the woman snarled. “You can’t even tell if a man is interested. I doubt for a minute you’re capable of copulating much less bearing offspring. I think you only want to be fertile and made the lie up to please your family. As for you,” she sneered at Jinn, “you’re a Svendian warrior.” Her tin-sounding laugh grated on Jinn’s nerves. “You really believed him when he said you were fertile? Please. Everyone knows Svendians won’t allow fertile women to fight. You have no right to wear those clothes.” The women pulled hard on Jinn’s sleeve. If the fabric had been anything but Maloran, it would have ripped. Jinn only smirked at her but Kaia popped up and grabbed the woman’s shirt to push her away. The warrior was too fast for the girl though. The female sidestepped Kaia and sent a kick right to her stomach. Drakkar’s sister bent forward in pain. Jinn bolted up and grabbed Kaia, pulling her out of the way as Etain reeled back for another shot. Jinn blocked the punch and moved in, raising a hand to halt the woman. With this new, unknown threat, Etain stopped her attack and stood, studying Jinn. The room had grown quiet. A few of the patrons drifted closer. Jinn pasted a sweet smile on her face and kept her voice soft and mellow, like a good fertile female. “You don’t really want to fight her, do you?” The woman’s mocking smile obliterated any prettiness she had about her. “You know what I want,” she spat. “Don’t worry. I know your reputation. You don’t scare me.” Jinn chuckled and shrugged. “Okay. I’m not really in warrior wear.” She waved her hands in front of her body. “But if you insist.” She faked a punch to the female’s face then followed with a solid hit under her ribs before the other could react. A moan escaped the woman’s lips as she doubled over. Jinn kneed her in the face, sure she broke the bitch’s nose. But Jinn didn’t have time to savor the moment. She grasped the back of the female’s shirt and tugged the hem toward the woman’s head, hoping to get the thing off her. Since Drakkar had locked Jinn out of the computer, Jinn needed the personal

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communicator that the female warrior had attached to her shirt. With it, the Intrepid’s computer would think the command to leave the ship came from the woman Etain instead of herself. It would work. The fabric scraped the woman’s bony sides and Jinn heard the bitch scream before she dove into Jinn’s waist, wrapping her arms around the small of Jinn’s back as she pushed her against the table. The edge caught Jinn behind the legs and the two of them tumbled over the furniture, sending the chairs flying backward as the pair hit the floor. Damn, the woman was stronger than Jinn had given her credit for. No matter. Jinn’s experience would never let her underestimate an opponent that badly. She rolled on top of the woman, using her weight to hold her down, and pummeled her bloodied face a few times while trying with her other hand to pull the sleeve off, knowing she’d have to roll the bitch over to get the shirt away from her. However, not being able to concentrate on a full-out strike allowed the warrior leeway to defend herself. And to make a few hits of her own. Jinn didn’t care. She’d take the pain. She was determined to win. The patrons of the bar crowded around them now, shouting. Some were actually for Jinn, some for Etain. Jinn could hear at least one person taking bets. Behind her, Kaia’s high-pitched voice echoed various words of concern, interlaced with encouragement when Jinn made a particularly good strike. The warrior bucked, trying to throw Jinn off. Jinn used the movement to help her cause. The sleeve slipped enough to trap Etain’s elbow in it. Jinn twisted the end around her fist and tugged, trying to stand, but finally the bitch got smart. The woman bucked again and circled her arm around the hold Jinn had on her sleeve and freed herself. For the moment. The action caused Jinn to lean forward. Etain was no green recruit. She went for the throat. Her thumbs pressed against Jinn’s airway as she squeezed her hands around Jinn’s neck. Jinn couldn’t breathe but she had enough air to do what she needed. Looping one arm through the top of the gangly spindles that somehow held her, with her other hand Jinn clenched the wrist of the arm she’d laced through and braced herself. Using the setup as a lever, she gripped with all her might as she raised herself as best she could. In less than a moment, Jinn twisted her arm in the opposite direction, using all her weight to slam the elbow of the looped arm downward onto some key nerves in one of Etain’s scraggly limbs while sending Jinn’s forearm, supported by her other hand, shooting up against the wrist of Etain’s other hand. The technique worked. The crowd roared but Jinn didn’t stop there. Time was critical. She had to get away. Fisting her hand on the wrist of Etain’s that she’d struck, Jinn extended the female’s arm and locked it out, pressing on the warrior’s elbow with the palm of her other hand, giving Jinn control over the woman. Before Etain could react, Jinn bolted to her knees and rolled the defeated bitch over. Jinn placed her knee into Etain’s shoulder and locked the Vulgarian warrior’s arm against Jinn’s leg.

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Although the woman continued to fight, Etain’s movements were rendered useless. Jinn had control of her now. Jinn struggled to breathe as she worked to pull the shirt off, some other sense making her libido tremble. She hurried her efforts but the crowd had oddly quieted. Even Kaia grew silent. Jinn glanced up. Everyone looked toward the large doorway. Jinn glanced over her shoulder as Etain stopped struggling, apparently sensing the shift in things as Jinn had. The wall of patrons parted. The new view revealed what had stopped everyone else in their tracks. With his powerful arms crossed, Drakkar’s biceps flexed. She’d never seen a darker glare. Not even on Rurik. Alongside him stood another tall, burly warrior. Spying the scene, the man laughed so hard Jinn could tell his eyes teared from where she sat. The male warrior slapped Drakkar on the shoulder then rested his hand there as if they were close brothers in arms. “So this is the gentle flower you brought us. Ah yes, I can see she is a softer maiden than what you had expected. Well done, Captain.” He jostled Drakkar’s shoulder then slapped it again. “Well done!” Drakkar slowly turned his head to the man and glared. The act made the other laugh harder, forcing the warrior to hold his gut. Drakkar returned his black stare to her. The man’s jest only made Drakkar’s face darken more. Jinn swallowed—then waffled as Drakkar’s scent finally hit her full force. “No,” she whispered. “Can’t.” Drakkar strode toward her. She couldn’t let him stop her. Sliding her hand down Etain’s arm, she reached for the communicator button. “Computer.” “No!” Drakkar rushed forward. “Take me to the teleporter then give me full lockdown of the teleporter room.” The beams from the computer began to work before Drakkar reached her. Etain started to fight again but Jinn had too much control for Etain’s efforts to be effective. The two women disappeared before the Vulgarian warrior could free herself. When they materialized, Jinn was prepared. Digging her knee into Etain’s back, Jinn yanked the woman’s arms and held them behind the warrior. Then Jinn slipped the sleeves off enough to tie the ends. Keeping the tension in Etain’s straightened arms, Jinn raised them enough behind the woman to know pain shot into the other’s shoulders. “You bitch,” Etain groaned. “You won’t get away with this,” she spat through gritted teeth. Jinn didn’t have time for small talk. Drakkar had control of his ship. It would only be moments before he overrode her instructions and busted in. Jinn pulled the Vulgarian to the teleporter console then set the only fixed-position coordinates that had been etched in her brain. Spinning Etain around, she kicked her in the gut. Hard. She needed the woman to be useless, at least for a moment.

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Etain doubled over again and fell to the floor. Jinn rushed to her body and unsnapped her waist pack then, flipping her over, untied the knot she’d made in the shirt, freeing the female’s arms and lifted the cloth off her head. Etain struggled to rise but dropped her naked torso against the cold floor. A clicking sound came from the portal. Jinn knew Drakkar would be right outside. Pressing the button to activate the teleporter, she ran to the platform and watched as the door slid open and Drakkar rushed in. “Stop her,” he ordered as another ran to the console. But he was too late. The lights flashed. In moments, she stood in the yard outside Trista’s Earth home. Jinn dashed for the house to change locations so Drakkar couldn’t trace her and bring her back, at least not easily. As she ran, she pressed the communicator, needing to use it before they shut down Etain’s connection, hitting the porch as she did so. “Jinn? How did you…” She swerved at the sound of Rurik’s voice. “Oh shatz!” Her brother walked out of the house and scanned her from head to toe, frowning. “What the hell are you doing in those clothes?” Trista came behind him. A chain with a comm unit dangled from her neck. “Jinn?” Her sister-in-law’s brows furrowed. “Where’s Mercedes?” Jinn grabbed Rurik’s hand. “Get the ship. We have to go. Now!” “No.” He yanked her to him. “How did you get away from the Intrepid?” Her eyes widened. She could feel them pop. “How did you know?” He sneered and shook her once. “Uncle Craddock told me. What did you do?” Her senses came to her. She reached for the communicator over his ear but he grasped her other hand. “Jinn,” he exhaled as if in pain, “tell me you didn’t defect.” “I didn’t!” She shook her head. “Not really.” “What?” His eyes pierced her like daggers. She heard the crackle of a teleporter behind her. “We don’t have time. Signal the ship.” But Rurik’s attention had swung beyond her. Shoving her around him, he pulled his laser and aimed at the flashes of light. Then Drakkar materialized.

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Chapter Fifteen “No, don’t shoot him,” Jinn grasped for Rurik’s wrist then about collapsed against her brother as Drakkar’s scent hit her. Shaking, she straightened her body. She was more experienced in dealing with the sensation now. She kept the sense of urgency foremost in her mind to ward off the effects. Steadying herself, she glanced at her betrothed. If she thought Drakkar’s look was bad before, it held nothing to the mien he showed her in this moment. She’d never seen a man so filled with hate. “You used me,” Drakkar seethed as he raised his empty hands. He’d followed her unarmed. “No, I didn’t, I swear,” Jinn protested, looking around the back of her large brother. “I didn’t know he was here.” Rurik glared down on her. “So you are the traitor.” “No!” She’d looped the waist pack and shirt over her arms then held up her hands and stepped to Rurik’s side, working to even her gait as Drakkar’s scent stirred her. Danger. Need safety, she reminded herself then held her breath. “Brother, listen to me.” Her voice grew ragged. “The attacks. Someone’s been doing it.” “And I know who. This man.” He nodded in Drakkar’s direction. “No.” She stomped her foot then calmed herself, getting her libidinous stirrings under some semblance of control, knowing any frustration on her part would only screw up this whole encounter. She paced a moment, took a few deep breaths then reminded herself she was a warrior first. Both the Svendians and the Vulgarians needed this peace. Her people depended on her. So did Mercedes. Pulling back her shoulders, she looked at her brother. Rurik’s brows had knitted. She could tell he wondered what was wrong with her. She cleared her throat, ready to give the report to her commander. “Drakkar hasn’t attacked us. As far as I can tell, none of the Vulgarians have. It’s someone else. Someone who has something to gain by keeping our two peoples fighting. I know. On the Intrepid I saw the same kind of attack that we have experienced but this time it was a Svendian warship. It materialized out of nowhere. It looked like yours. But we don’t have that kind of technology.” Rurik narrowed his gaze as he studied her. “How do you know he didn’t trick you?”

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At least her brother listened. She shook her head and released a rough breath. “I don’t, but I trust my instincts. Look, whoever has Mercedes knows the truth. I’d bet my life on it.” “You already have,” Rurik uttered harshly. “Mercedes,” Trista came toward her, interrupting the rest of his tirade. “Where is she?” “Stay back, Trista.” Keeping the pistol on Drakkar, Rurik put his free arm up to hold his mate. “I don’t know who to trust right now.” Trista tsked and pushed the arm out of the way. “Don’t be ridiculous. Jinn isn’t a traitor. She’s too loyal to you.” “My sentiments exactly,” Drakkar growled. Jinn scowled at Drakkar but she could have kissed Trista in that moment. Her brother glanced at the Vulgarian captain then back at her, his piercing gaze studying her in the way only a brother could. “Is Mercedes okay?” “Yes, I think so.” “You think so?” His voice grew louder. “What happened? Where is she? And you better make it good.” She took a wary glance at Drakkar. A wicked gleam shone in his eyes. He chuckled lightly then sneered at her, his voice gruff. “Tell them, Jinn.” His gaze grew blacker. “Tell your brother the truth.” Jinn swallowed. When Rurik looked at her, her professional demeanor wavered. “Well, I came here. Looking for your daughter and…and Drakkar trapped me.” “Tell them why you wear the clothes you have on.” The veiled threat in Drakkar’s muted tones came through loud and clear. Jinn snapped her head toward the mate biology had chosen for her, steamed. “Quiet.” He raised a dark brow. “You’re ordering me?” “I’m not on your ship anymore.” “But you are my b—” “Enough,” Rurik commanded. “Jinn, focus. Where’s Mercedes?” “On Craddock’s—” The air crackled in the distant glade. Lights flashed. The molecules of several forms began to gather. “Get in the house, now,” Rurik ordered and pushed Trista in that direction. Jinn hurried. He pointed the laser at Drakkar as if to fire. “Move fast or you die.” Drakkar bolted around him and came in behind Jinn. Rurik followed, making sure Drakkar didn’t get too close to any of them. Her brother took a hidden position at the window and peered out. “Get in the doorway. If it’s your men, I want them to see you.” He waved the laser at Drakkar. 187

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“And if it isn’t?” Drakkar sneered. For a scant moment, Rurik studied him. “Pray they don’t shoot first.” “Rurik, you can’t,” Jinn pleaded but too late. Her brother hushed her. This was her fault. She couldn’t let the man die because he followed his mating instincts. She moved closer, ready to jump in front of him if need be. Drakkar grimaced as he turned and stared at her but then an odd look came into his eyes and he smiled. Jinn felt as if he tried to tell her something, something she didn’t know before. Drakkar believes you. Where the thought came from she didn’t know. Still, she knew it was true. Silently, she issued a prayer to the powers that be. If these two men could only find some common ground. As she finished, the forms materialized.

***** “Where’s Craddock?” Sophos demanded as she marched onto the bridge of the council ship. Captain Aegis glanced over his shoulder at her. “I must have words with him.” Finally Sophos had the proof she needed to convince the Galactic Quorum, but she needed to isolate the headmaster before he could cause any more mischief. Or any more unneeded deaths. Aegis shrugged. “As far as I know, he’s on the Punisher.” “He isn’t,” she parried. “And you know it. He returned before he left from here. Where did he go?” The captain swung his chair around and bared his white teeth. “Last time I checked, Sophos, I didn’t report to you.” She wanted to slap the traitorous man’s face but that wasn’t her job. Her position was to secure the peace between these two peoples. However, for some time there had been an unknown barrier. Now that barrier had been breached and she knew Craddock and his crew were part of it. She frowned. Cassius had warned them Craddock was on the move. Something bad was up. Sophos lifted her chin and smiled to hide her irritation. “Come, Knossos.” She swerved and headed for the transporter. “I will discuss the issue with Craddock later.” When they entered, she used her hands to communicate, not trusting that the transporter was bugged. Tell Cassius to be ready. She sent the hand signs. Stay here and wait for my signal. I will send for you when I can. First, she would go to the Punisher herself to marshal a force. She needed the help.

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***** There were several of them so it took longer for the forms to solidify, but Jinn could tell they were not Drakkar’s men. She stared at her brother. The tenseness in his shoulders eased. Keeping the pistol on Drakkar, Rurik pulled his personal cuffs out and tossed them to her. “Put them on him.” He studied Drakkar as Jinn moved behind the man. “If what she says is true, then I have no quarrel with you, but her testimony better not be one of your tricks.” Drakkar held his arms behind him and glanced at Jinn with a mocking grin. With his nearness, his scent threatened to overpower her. She almost stumbled into him. Her breathing grew heavier. Carnal urgings summoned her. “No,” she muttered and gritted her teeth, focusing on the peril she knew waited in the skies. Except she couldn’t hide the effect Drakkar had on her. In a hushed voice, her betrothed chuckled and smiled, his gaze a lure to her sex drive that she worked to fight. When Drakkar looked again at Rurik, his black brow arched. “You say you have no argument with me even though you believe I killed your father?” A pained looked filled Rurik’s face but only for a moment. “A galactic tribunal cleared you. If you want peace for your people, now is the time.” “Hard to find peace when you’re held as a prisoner,” Drakkar scoffed as Jinn fixed the final seal. She hurried from him, leaning against the wall, her body calling for the carnal release she knew only the shackled man at the doorway could provide. “Jinn.” A feminine voice. She could hardly hear it. “Jinn.” Trista grasped her. Jinn heard the distant voices of men and watched Rurik as he studied their approach, his attention focused on them and on his prisoner. Wariness kicked in. “Trista, where’s Hunter?” She could barely speak. “On board the Punisher. Why?” “Good. Safe.” Unable to stand, she folded against her new sister. And hoped like hell Trista could help her. Trista tried to hold Jinn up, studying her, worried. Was she sick? “Rurik, call for Alaric. Something’s wrong with Jinn.” “No, nothing wrong,” Jinn muttered as she sucked in a breath and grasped her breast then glared at Rurik’s prisoner. Rurik yanked Drakkar’s shirt and shook him. “What did you do to her?” “Nothing,” Jinn shouted. Drakkar only snorted then smirked at her.

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Rurik glanced at his sister then drew the man into him, face-to-face. “You bastard. Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you now.” “Because,” Drakkar spoke calmly, “I’m the only one who can solve her particular problem. Besides, with me dead, there is no peace.” “No,” Jinn cried, “don’t hurt him. Not his fault.” Rurik eyed Jinn with the same confusion Trista felt herself. Then Rurik studied Drakkar, his look questioning. The gaze of the two men met. To Trista it was as if some knowledge passed between them but she couldn’t tell what. Rurik stared at his enemy, the disbelief evident in his face. “By all that’s holy,” Rurik uttered. Drakkar huffed then smiled at whatever the irony was. “Ohhh no,” Jinn moaned, but not in pain. Her breathing quickened. Drakkar looked over his shoulder at Rurik’s sister and the mockery in his smile softened to something warm. Jinn paled and licked her lips as she gazed at Drakkar in return. Her cheeks flushed with red. “Rurik, hurry,” Trista pleaded. Shoving Drakkar backward, Rurik signaled the ship. The voice of one of the approaching men called to Rurik as they neared.

***** “What is it?” Andromeda asked Bjorg as he stepped inside, leaving Craddock’s guards at the door. Rurik’s Number One had come personally with a few of the crew loyal to Rurik, who now stationed themselves outside with Craddock’s guards. Inside Alaric’s quarters, she, Hunter and her bethrothed waited. With Jinn captured and Mercedes missing, they all took vigil in the room. “It’s Jinn,” Bjorg said after the door closed. “They found her, but Rurik wants Alaric to see to her.” “Oh no.” The odd dizziness that had taken Meda over the last few months hit her hard. She wavered. Hunter rushed to her side and held her until Alaric reached her. “Meda, sit down,” her lover pleaded. She shook her head. “I can’t. I must go with you.” “My lady,” Bjorg said, “I don’t think it’s bad but I was told to get the healer quickly. And don’t worry about Craddock’s guards.” Bjorg grinned. “My men outside have engaged them. They won’t be bothering anyone for a while.” “What about Mercedes?” Hunter asked. Bjorg grimaced. “No word yet.” “If I ever see that son of a bitch, I’ll kill him,” Hunter muttered.

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“Hunter, you don’t know what happened,” Meda intervened. “It may not be Drakkar.” Alaric’s console beeped. “Number One.” “Here,” Bjorg replied. “A bird just landed. Sophos is on her way to see the Lady Andromeda.” “Good.” Meda stood taller, feeling the nausea pass. “She can accompany us down. We need to speak.” Alaric’s frown deepened. She brushed his cheek with the palm of her hand. “I have a job to do, Beloved.” Moments later, the door opened again. The tall, slender Sophos stood as regal as ever, her dark skin shimmering in the light. The men bowed their heads to her as was her due, but Meda hid her amusement when she saw Hunter’s reaction. The boy nodded as best he could while gaping. Even though the negotiator was as old as she, Sophos was still a beautiful woman, and certainly a lure to any libidinous male. The Nyphosian’s radiant smile landed on Hunter. “You are Rurik’s seed.” Every movement of Sophos was graceful. Today was no exception. She seemed to step on air as she approached Hunter. “So alike.” Sophos smiled then eyed Meda. “You must be proud.” Meda nodded. “Very. He is much like his sire and his grandsire.” Sophos nodded then her mien turned somber. “Is the room secure?” Meda nodded. She pointed to Hunter. “Craddock is on the move. I fear for the safety of Rurik’s offspring.” “What do you mean?” Her grandson bristled. Sophos gazed at him a moment then stood erect and faced him with hardened resolve. “The headmaster intends to do away with you and your mother.” Meda gasped. “He wouldn’t dare.” Sophos looked at her. “He has dared this and more. I have Knossos tracking him. I understand Rurik is with Trista on Earth. If Craddock has followed them there, they are in danger.” “No,” Meda whispered. “What about Mercedes, my sister?” Hunter asked. “Have you heard anything about her?” “For now, know that Mercedes is safe. I trust the one she is with to keep her so.” “Is it…our friend?” Meda asked. Sophos nodded. Cassius. Meda knew the negotiator did not want to reveal his name. “But if you do this…” 191

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Her old friend shook her head. “It is not my position to take sides in this matter but I do not care for others usurping the peace process I’ve tried so hard to broker. I have chosen my path, my friend.” She placed her hand on Meda’s shoulder. “The time is now.”

***** “I’m fine,” Jinn muttered as Trista eased her sister-in-law into a nearby chair and wiped the woman’s brow. “I must get to Mercedes.” “Then you do know where she is,” Trista whispered, intent, while Rurik watched over Drakkar. “Yes.” “I’m going with you. She’ll need me.” Trista held out the small communicator Rurik had given her. Jinn shook her head. “No, too dangerous.” “What? Dangerous? Oh, now I know I’m coming.” “No.” She shook her head. “Traitor on Craddock’s vessel. Too risky for you. Get me to the Punisher. I’ll need help. Can you?” Trista nodded. “Of course.” The steps from the others on the wooden deck echoed as they approached. Trista heard Rurik’s uncle greet him as he stepped into the room. “Ah, you’ve captured the dastard then.” Craddock glanced Trista’s way. A wicked glee danced in his eyes. Trista grimaced and let the comm locket drop against her chest, not liking the look in his eyes. “Perhaps,” Rurik grasped his enemy’s clasped hands and yanked him backward, taking control of him. “But from what Jinn says he isn’t behind the attacks. It’s someone else. That means I’ll have to let him go. Especially if Sophos is involved.” “What?” Craddock sputtered, then spied Jinn seated near Trista. He pointed a bony finger at the two of them. “Your sister is even worse than him. She’s a traitor. Arrest her as well,” he ordered the men with him. “No,” Trista demanded. “She isn’t well. We’ve sent for Alaric.” “You did what?” Craddock’s voice rose. “It was my decision.” Rurik took Drakkar’s arm and led him to a chair near Jinn then pushed him into the cushions. “No, not by me.” Rurik’s sister stamped her foot and glared at Drakkar. The dark-haired man only chuckled, making Trista even more confused. Then a laser beam lanced the air above Trista’s head through the open doorway and sizzled as it hit the wall.

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“Get down.” Rurik dove for her and covered her with his large body. At the same time, Drakkar had lunged for Jinn and knocked her and the chair over before he rolled in front of her. Other volleys melted and cracked the picture windows on either side of the door. Craddock and his men crouched low as the light rays shot over them. A few of the guards returned fire through the doorway. Some burned holes through the glass to shoot. Rurik’s uncle signaled to one of the men. The man lifted his head to peer around the edge of the window. “It’s the Vulgarians.” The guard stooped back down again. “How many?” Rurik asked. “Two. At least three,” the guard replied, then fired another round. Lights flashed everywhere. Trista swallowed, wondering if this time they’d make it out alive. They were pinned down in the small living room. “Bjorg,” Rurik said as he touched his communicator but got no answer. “Bjorg,” he reiterated, but again there was only silence. “Shatz, someone’s jamming the signal,” he cursed as another volley of shots whizzed into her home. “I’m not armed, Rurik,” his uncle pleaded. “Let me take Trista and flee before it’s too late.” “Rurik, no.” She laid her hand against his chest. Hunter didn’t like Craddock. Something told her not to trust the man. Rurik nodded to his uncle. “Have one of your men check the rear.” “Good idea,” Craddock said then waved to one of the guards. “Hinrik, go.” Stooping, the guard took off with Craddock behind him. “Will you listen to me?” Trista grew angry, but Rurik ignored her entirely as the volleys seared the wood on the walls in her house. “Call your men off,” Rurik snarled from the floor as he glared at the Vulgarian. “They are not mine,” Drakkar growled back. “Prove it.” Grabbing the Vulgarian by his shirt, Rurik dragged him to the open doorway as more shots were fired. “No,” Jinn protested. “It isn’t him.” “We have to try.” Rurik glanced back at his sister then eyed his enemy. “We’ll die here if he can’t convince them to beg off.” Drakkar returned his stare then jerked his head with a brusque nod. Standing behind the wall, Rurik yanked his enemy up. “Halt your attack. We have your captain.” Rurik held his prisoner part way in the open but Drakkar broke the hold and dove into him, dodging another shot. “Dammit. See? I told you,” Drakkar said as both men hit the floor. Rurik glanced out the door and fired back. The volleys grew heavier. “Fuck, there’re more of them. Where did they come from?” 193

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“Set me free, Rurik. I can help you.” Rurik studied him a moment then glanced back at Jinn. Another shot fired into the room and struck the wall, causing the wood to smoke. “Take care of the women.” Reaching behind Drakkar, Rurik freed him and shoved the cuffs back in his pack as Craddock returned to the room. “Are you insane?” his uncle shouted. “No.” Rurik stared at Drakkar. “I won’t be responsible for his death, not at the expense of the peace. Is the way clear?” “Yes,” Craddock snarled. Rurik nodded. “Then we all go.”

***** Cassius cleared the monitor, ending the communication. He grimaced over the instructions he’d received. Craddock wanted him on Earth. The Renegades the headmaster had mocked up to look like Vulgarians had failed him this time. Now Craddock depended on Cassius to pull him through. Cassius was to destroy the landing crew, with the exception of Craddock and a few others, mostly those who were loyal to his purist cause. Cassius bristled. He didn’t want to follow the man’s commands but the implant he’d been given gave him no choice. It was either that or die. He gazed at the naked, golden beauty who stood by the bed studying him. “What is it?” she asked. Fortunately she couldn’t read the encrypted data that came through. “Nothing. I must go for a while. You will be locked in these quarters for safekeeping.” “Hey, wait a minute. I need to get home. You can’t keep me here.” She moved to stand in front of him. Picking her up, he settled her legs around his naked hips and kissed her. “I won’t be long,” he whispered and held her longer than he should, relishing the feel of her sensual body. “Stay here, and please don’t try anything foolish.” Then he kissed her again. Took her mouth with a long, slow kiss, one that held as much passion as he could wrench from his tormented, barren soul. Exhaling an unsteady breath, he touched his forehead to hers. The contact seemed to bind them but he knew it was only an illusion. Frustrated, he tossed her onto the bed and grabbed his clothes off the floor, trying to ignore how she felt in his arms, trying to forget the warm feeling he now harbored within.

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“Cassius,” Mercedes yelled at him, but he ignored her pleas as he marched out and locked the portal behind him, wondering how she would feel if she ever found out he’d killed her mother.

***** Everyone scrambled. “Go,” Rurik ordered and pushed Trista ahead. Craddock took Trista’s hand and ran with her. Jinn rushed after them as Drakkar followed but when they reached the woods, Drakkar took the opportunity to bolt, grabbing Jinn around the waist as he did so and looping her over his shoulder as he ran. Jinn squirmed and beat on his back. “We can’t leave them.” “Quiet or we’ll both be dead,” he ordered and ran. Looking up, Jinn saw the attacking Vulgarians come through the house. Rurik made the tree line as he returned fire, trailing their uncle with a few of the guards. Two of the guards stopped and returned fire. One of them dropped to the ground, wounded, as the Vulgarians followed the main party. Drakkar took a long loop around Trista’s place. After ensuring no one followed, he finally stopped a good distance away and dropped her behind a tree. “You son of a bitch,” she pounded on him. “You intended to have him killed him all along.” She teared. Helplessness enveloped her. He grasped her fists and pushed them into her chest. “They aren’t my men,” he growled. “You said that but they’re still Vulgarians. You could stop them.” “They aren’t.” He jerked her against him. Holding her fast with one arm, he activated his comm. “Khariton, have you been monitoring?” “Aye, Captain.” “Get a strike force down here now.” “Protection or invasion?” “Invasion. I want you to go after those impersonators. Surround the attacking force. And take some alive. I want to know who’s doing this.” “Done. Out here.” Drakkar loosened his grip on her. She spun within his embrace and watched in the distance. Some of the troops had already materialized and began their assault on the unknown force. Drakkar hugged her to him, buried his face in the loose strands at her neck, driving her libido, intermingling with her fear. The strange sense stimulated her more. “Stay here,” his powerful voice ordered as some of Rurik’s attackers turned to fight the newly arrived Vulgarians. She snapped her head toward him and gazed into his darkened green eyes. He expected her obedience.

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But he would be wrong in that. “It’s my family. And you’re as unarmed as I am.” “I’ll tie you up again if I have to,” he threatened. “Captain.” The man Jinn had seen with Drakkar at the recreation room had materialized and ran through the trees. “Khariton, get someone to make sure she stays then join me.” Jinn growled as her number one nemesis and mate took off. The other man only smiled at her as another figure materialized behind him.

***** “I’m going,” Hunter insisted, belting up his waist pack in the teleporter room. The ship couldn’t get a hold of his father to warn him, and a detailed scan of the area showed some activity. With the rest of the fleet too far away, Bjorg was unable to drop a larger force because of damage to the ship. The only option left was sending the small task force to extract his parents and Aunt Jinn. Hunter wasn’t about to be left behind. “Hunter, you can’t. Craddock will kill you the first chance he gets,” Meda pleaded. “Nana, my mother and father are down there as well as my crazy aunt whom I’d like to get to know better. I’ve faced worse. Ask Alaric. I have the scars to prove it.” “He does.” The healer handed Hunter an assault rifle then took a pistol from the unlocked munitions cache for himself. “You know how to use that?” Alaric nodded at the weapon. “Yep.” Hunter checked the safety. “I’ve already been cleared on your infantry weapons. Bjorg helped me.” “He’s a crack shot,” the Number One responded as he readied himself and gathered the attack force. “Hunter, you know those woods. Take Thordis and Lena. We’ll dump you off on the east side. Circle around to the back. Don’t take any chances and keep out of sight. I want to use your team as a surprise, so no strikes without us unless absolutely necessary.” “Yes sir.” Hunter hopped into the teleporter with the other two soldiers. Meda ran up to kiss his cheek then returned to Alaric’s side. Hunter blushed but he didn’t really care. For once, he had a complete family. He wasn’t about to lose the best thing he’d ever had. “Come, Meda,” Sophos said, pulling her away so that Alaric could take his place on the platform with the other squad. “You have work to do. The Svendian council must be made aware. You must present the evidence to them.” His grandmother bit her lip, eyeing Hunter. Then grabbing Alaric before he got on the teleporter, she kissed him. Alaric grasped her around the waist and pulled her to him. “I’ll be back,” he told her then joined Bjorg on the teleporter. “Transport on,” Bjorg ordered the computer then smirked at Hunter. “See you on the other side.”

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Hunter took a deep breath and readied his weapon, wondering what turmoil they would drop into, curious as to what a laser strike would feel like.

***** “Where the hell did they go?” Craddock demanded of Rurik, panting. With the heavy Vulgarian force, the attackers had fallen back to defend their rear. “Looks like the Vulgarians are taking care of their own,” Rurik said as he pulled Trista away from him and tried to contact the ship again. Nothing. “That’s not what I meant,” Craddock sneered. “Drakkar and your sister. Where are they?” Rurik eased in front of Trista as he studied his uncle, wondering now how the attackers could have found them so easily. Granted, everyone in the crew knew they orbited Earth but only a few knew that he and his mate had traveled down to her old abode. Rurik steadied himself before he spoke, the revelation unnerving him. “When were you planning on killing us, Uncle?” How could he have been so blind? “What?” Craddock’s head snapped up. Rurik pointed his pistol at him. “You’re the one behind the attacks. You are the traitor.” Craddock sneered. “But why would I kill you? You’re my favorite nephew.” He snickered and Rurik finally realized how truly evil he looked. “I’m your only nephew. Every other relative I have is from my mother’s side. Why?” Craddock’s leer grew sinister. “About time you figured it out,” he huffed. “Rurik the Conqueror, the brilliant strategist, yet I fooled even you. I made you that way, you know. The lofty titles, the recognition, the heavy battles. The distractions kept you off my trail. And you never guessed until now.” One of the guards who’d been defending them came closer. Craddock nodded to him. A signal. Before Rurik could react, the two other guards closest to the action evaporated at Hinrik’s and another’s hands. Rurik stunned the traitors with his laser as he pushed Trista behind him to protect her. The men fell and lay in a stupor. With the pistol pointed elsewhere, Craddock lunged for the weapon but Rurik was too fast and pointed the gun again at his uncle. “Give me the jamming device.” “I don’t have it.” His uncle raised his hands. “And it wouldn’t matter if I did. You’re too late, you know. The others will be here shortly.” Rurik glanced at the distant scene through the corner of his eye. “Your friends seem to have their hands full already.”

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“Tsk, tsk, Nephew, then why confront me? I wouldn’t kill you.” Hate filled his glare. “I have others who would gladly do that for me. The Renegades don’t like you, you know. Especially after you took revenge on their troops.” Rurik swallowed as the truth hit him. “They killed my father.” “Yes,” Craddock hissed. “You ordered it.” Craddock huffed. “I didn’t have a hand in it, not really. I merely suggested where he would be. I loved my brother, Rurik, but not enough to let him walk away with what should have been mine.” He was stalling. “Get moving. Now. This way.” Rurik waved the tip of the pistol in the direction he wanted Craddock to go. Craddock didn’t budge. “I said move, damn you.” Craddock sneered. “No.” Rurik heard the laser sear the air then felt the blast to his right shoulder. “Argh.” He grasped his numbed arm as he stumbled forward. “Rurik!” Trista grabbed him as he fell to a knee but the moment to flee was lost. “You see?” The tip of his uncle’s boots filled his blurry vision. Craddock stood before him and picked up his pistol. “They have already arrived.” Rurik spun his head around, fighting the urge to pass out. “Damn you,” he breathed. The bio sneered then aimed again, this time at Trista.

***** Touchdown. Hunter and the small party materialized some distance from the house. Per the early reports, two offworlder groups were fighting, and somewhere in the fray, his family stood. Hunter rushed forward in the direction of the house as the others trailed him, their movements quiet, unnoticeable. Voices sounded ahead. A small party hid in the woods nearby. Could it be his parents? He moved closer. Hunter recognized the green shirts of the Vulgarians. A woman was with them. Blonde. Her back was turned but he noted the sheer green getup that a fertile woman would wear. The warriors—a man and a woman—seem to guard her. For protection? Wanting to get a better look and knowing he’d have to make a wide berth to get around them undetected, he signaled the rest of his team and moved in that direction. Slowly they encroached, stooping when needed, hiding themselves in the foliage.

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When they grew closer, murmurs reached his ears. Hunter stopped to scan the area more closely and observe the group in front of him. Their attention focused on the lights from the lasers that flashed in the distance. The man turned his head as he spoke in low tones to his companions. Surprise caught Hunter, caused him to freeze for a moment and study the small group more intently. He recognized that man. Trusting his gut, he used a hand sign to the others, telling them to cover him as he moved in. With his rifle aimed, he stood and eased closer. “Charlie, I thought you were dead.” Stepping in front of the blonde woman to cover her, the two Vulgarian warriors swung around, pistols held high, the shock clear in their faces. Charlie paused then seemed to breathe a little easier. “I could have been. Your aunt’s attack left me out of commission for a while, that’s for sure. I’m still recovering.” Charlie lowered his pistol first and moved to push the woman’s down as well. “We’re here to help, Sergeant.” Hunter shook his head. “It’s just Hunter now.” He sighted the rifle. “Help who?” “The Svendians,” the woman huffed. “And I can’t believe it.” “Move out of the way, you big oaf.” Jinn shoved Charlie aside and came between the two warriors. “Hunter, you shouldn’t be here. There’s a mole on Craddock’s ship. I think he wants to kill you. You aren’t safe.” Hunter scanned what little clothing she had on then smirked. “Nice outfit, Aunt Jinn. I thought you were sick.” “I’m not,” she snapped. “Hunter—” He held up a hand. “I know.” Coming closer, he eyed his former platoon buddy. “I want your word as a comrade in arms you’re here to help.” “You have it.” Charlie took a step toward him and switching the pistol to his other hand, offered a handshake. “By the way, the real name’s Carl of Vulgaria.” Hunter took his outstretched palm with relief. “Carl.” “Kaia,” the woman said and smiled at him. “Nice to meet you, Hunter.” She moved her muscular body like a cat. Given other circumstances, he would have taken her up on the open invitation. “We’ve been watching over your aunt, here,” Carl interjected. “Your sire and his mate were under attack but I think our main force has the pretenders pinned. Last report, Rurik and your mother were fine.” “Look, enough of the niceties,” Jinn bristled. “Hunter, give me your rifle. We need to go.” Hunter snorted as he scoured her body with a skeptical eye. “In that getup? I think not.” “Hunter, I’m your aunt and I outrank you.”

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He smiled at her. “I don’t think Dad will ream me for this one. Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?” “What?” “Sue me.” Carl laughed and pushed Jinn behind him. Hunter looked at his one-time friend. “Where are they?” “Behind the house. You want company? Kaia can stay.” “With that hellcat?” She hoisted a thumb at Jinn. “She’ll overpower me in no time.” “Traitor,” Jinn grumbled, staring at her. Kaia giggled. Hunter signaled the two members of his party. Cautiously they came from hiding, their weapons aimed. “Lena, come with us. Thordis, contact Bjorg and tell him we found Jinn. Tell him why she stays here. The rest of us will reconnoiter and find my parents. We’ll send back status of the attacks when I can. You two will be our links.” He glanced at Carl. “For what it’s worth, I trust this man. He’s had too many opportunities to kill me before. He didn’t.” Jinn huffed from behind the two warriors. “That’s because Drakkar had his forces watching over you and Mercedes. These guys finally told me he wanted to use you and your sister to broker a peace with Rurik. Now dammit, let me go with you.” “No,” Carl ordered. “Drakkar says you stay here.” She elbowed her way around him. “We have to get Mercedes off Craddock’s ship.” “She’s on Craddock’s ship?” A thread of fear ran through Hunter but he accepted that he had to trust Sophos’ word. He shook his head. “Someone’s doing that. She’s safe for now. Thordis, I trust you can manage my aunt? I’m afraid she’s going to hurt herself.” “No, he can’t,” Jinn protested. “Aunt Jinn, you are not armed nor do you have the body armor that these uniforms provide. Forget it. Thordis?” He looked at the larger man. “I can handle it. I have before.” The warrior crossed his burly arms and aimed a lusty look at his aunt. Hunter grinned at Carl. “Old times?” His friend returned the smile and nodded. Like one, the small group took off. Behind him, Hunter heard Thordis. “Well, well, Jinn, how the hell did you ever get yourself in one of these things?” “Oh, shut up,” his aunt snapped.

*****

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Rurik threw himself in front of Trista to take the brunt of the hit, but then his uncle spoke. “Hold, Cassius my friend, the female can still be useful. We need to lure her son in as well. And I think she’ll cooperate better if Rurik is alive.” “Then what do you wish me to do?” Rurik noted the tension ease in Cassius’ arm but he continued to aim the weapon at Trista. Craddock glanced over the battle. “Contact Fenden and his Renegade band. His warriors are not having a good showing against the Vulgarians. Perhaps dropping a few more men in the battle and then attacking the Intrepid will have the desired effect.” “As you command.” The man Cassius broke off his assault and activated his communicator. Rurik let himself drop to the ground, steeling himself against the pain. The droid had used more than a stunning ray on him. The heat from the laser had sliced through his personal shield to sear his flesh and left smaller, secondary firings that shot off deeper within him, causing even greater damage. The shot had crippled him and would have killed him outright had the droid’s aim been true. Fortunately, between the Maloran fabric and the depth of the penetration, Trista couldn’t see the damage. He didn’t want her to be afraid. “Rurik.” Trista came to him quivering, trying to help. “I’ll be okay.” He gritted his teeth. “Need a moment. Stall them.” He whispered the last. “You bastard.” Trista’s bottom lip trembled. “Where’s my daughter?” His uncle chuckled. “She’s safe, safer than you will be. I promised her to my friend here, once I’ve settled this problem once and for all. He will take care of the girl. I’m sure.” “Craddock,” Rurik struggled to speak. “What the hell do you want?” “What is mine, of course,” the headmaster spat. “The birthright that was taken from me.” Rurik struggled to lift himself to a sitting position. “You’re sterile. There is nothing that can be done about that, not unless some scientist finds a solution to the DNA issue. You know that.” “But why me?” Craddock shouted, waving the weapon. “I was the favored son. I grew to be a good man, until the truth was known. I didn’t deserve this.” “Neither does my family.” Rurik held his arm as he steadied himself. Sweat beaded his brow. “Rurik?” Trista held him against her as he struggled to come to his knees, the worry showing in the arch of her brows. “What harm has my family done to you?” Rurik managed to say, scanning the area, hoping to find a way out of this.

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“Harm? They exist. That is enough. If your mother hadn’t interfered to help you in your plan to bond with this female, perhaps this would not have been necessary. These offspring of yours, as well as this woman, could be well on Earth without anyone the wiser.” “You knew?” Rurik asked. “I’ve known for ages. I had them tested years ago. Hunter, then Mercedes—but you didn’t know that did you? That she is yours as well.” For a moment, he grew pensive, sad. “She is much like you. Her mind is strong. She’s brilliant, at least according to Earth standards.” He grimaced. “She could be of some use to my friends and myself.” Keep him talking. Right now, stalling was their only option. Rurik prayed fate would intervene. Surely someone on the Punisher knew something was amiss? At least Drakkar got Jinn away. “Then why kill us?” “Why?” Craddock sneered. “Because I no longer have need of any of you, especially you since you soiled yourself with Earthers.” He huffed and shook his head. “This is your fault, you know. I begged you to leave these creatures of yours on Earth where they belong but no, you wouldn’t listen.” He stared at his nephew. “I don’t want to kill them but now I have no choice. It’s too late to return them to their old lives. As for you? I cannot turn you. I’ve tried. Now you are no longer needed. And I do not need you causing havoc anymore as a distraction. My friends and I have put the key pieces in place. You see,” his eyes narrowed with hate, “the war you so proudly fought covered our tracks and gave us time. Now the purists are ready to strike. I’m only sorry I couldn’t convince you to give up your dedication to this one.” He nodded at Trista. “We could have used you in the fight. You could have had the pure offspring needed to carry on for me when I was done. Now I will have to find someone else.” “You elitist swine,” Rurik hissed. Craddock’s lip curled in a mocking grin. “Headmaster,” Cassius interjected, “your suggestions are being implemented. The fighting has intensified and the Renegades are closing in. We should move to safer ground, unless of course, you prefer to return to the ship.” Craddock shook his head. “I can’t with these two. Not with Sophos traipsing around. Besides, some of the crew do not belong to the fold.” Craddock eyed Rurik as he pursed his lips. “Bind my nephew and carry him along. I’ll get the female.” “The hell you will.” Trista moved to bolt upright, ready to fight. Rurik stopped her with his good arm. “Don’t give them an excuse to hurt you, too.” “Yes.” Craddock bent over and brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. “Give me a reason.” He clutched her arm like a vise and jerked her to her feet, pointing the pistol at her head. “Let’s move,” he ordered Cassius. Rurik’s anger peaked but all he could do was glare at the aberrant bastard his uncle had become.

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***** Drakkar tried to pinpoint Rurik and his mate, but the trees and the barrage of laser fired prevented it. “Captain, we need more men,” Khariton said as he crouched behind the bush with Drakkar, the house to their rear. Drakkar fired another strike, then another, hitting his target both times. “I know. They’re so thick now it’s hard to miss them. Where the hell are they coming from?” He glanced over the scene. There was no sign of Rurik. Had the mighty Conqueror abandoned the fight? “Get two squads to make a wide circle and attack them from behind. We’ll take refuge in the house and hold them off until then.” Khariton jerked a nod and took off, setting the commands into action. Firing a few more times, Drakkar and some of the others made for the back door, keeping up a stream of laser fire to cover the ones on the move. Under heavy fire, Drakkar rushed to the opening, shouldering one of his wounded soldiers who’d been shot in front of him, and setting the man behind the wall. The din from the crossfire was deafening as it hit the house, melting the windows in the rear. A signal from the ship sounded on Drakkar’s comm. “Captain, we’re under attack. The Svendians again.” It was Dagmar, the next in command. “They’re not Svendians. Evade. I’ll send Khariton back when I can.” “Evasion underway but we can’t teleport. They’ve hit the generation device. Moving now. We’re going to deep cloak status. Out here.” “Damn.” Drakkar swore aloud and cursed whoever was behind this. His ship, his crew under attack. His sister. Suddenly he knew how Rurik felt when he thought Jinn had been threatened. He activated his comm link again before the ship could cloak. “Dagmar.” “Here, Captain.” “Contact the Svendian council ship. Get Sophos. Now. We need her help. Perhaps she can persuade the Svendians to attack whoever that is. Tell her. Tell her everything that has happened.” The link blurred. “Captain?” Dagmar asked. “Just do it. Trust me.” “Aye, Captain. It will be done. Out here.” “Perhaps I can help you with that.” Drakkar swerved toward the male voice that sounded behind him. The Svendian had taken cover behind the interior wall and had a pistol aimed at Drakkar’s chest. “Hold your fire,” the Svendian ordered. “We know who the traitor is. We’re here to help.” “My ship’s under attack.” “Give me your coordinates.” 203

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Drakkar hesitated. History with the Svendians advised caution. “Do you have a choice?” the Svendian asked. He didn’t. The ship was already wounded. Kaia and the others wouldn’t have a chance. “B sector, 5-2-3.” The man nodded as a shot fired through the doorway, scouring the wall. Drakkar ducked and he heard the Svendian slam against the inside of the interior as the man contacted the Punisher and ordered their fleet to the area. “This is a strange war,” he overheard one of his men saying. The Svendian chuckled and crawled toward Drakkar. “What war? This is playtime.” He stopped by Drakkar and fired through one of the windows, peering out for a moment. “We’re going to have a hell of a time mopping this up.” He turned to Drakkar and introduced himself. “Bjorg, Rurik’s Number One. I’ve sent the others to rescue Rurik and his woman. The headmaster has been behind the subterfuge all along.” “Hold a moment.” Drakkar held up a finger then lifted himself to fire again. Bjorg did the same then sat with him and continued. “He and his purist friends covertly hired a band of Renegades that have been posing alternatively as Vulgarians and Svendians. They’re the ones who have been attacking, trying to set both you and Rurik against each other. Sophos has proof. The Svendian council is working even now to convict Craddock. They’ve sent the evidence on to the Galactic Quorum as well.” Drakkar nodded. “My men are circling our perimeter. We’re hoping to trap these men in between.” “I know. I saw them. Can you tell them we are friends?” Drakkar nodded and signaled to one of his men to contact Khariton. “Now, my ship…” Bjorg grinned. “Nasgorov is a hell of a leader. She’ll get them. Be assured.” The blast from a laser cannon hit the side of the building. “Damn.” Drakkar slapped his comm link to activate it as they scrambled. “Khariton, take out that cannon.” A second blast took down the wall.

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Chapter Sixteen “Damn this thing.” Mercedes tried another tack with the computer. Figuring out how to use it was the easy part, so easy she was able to verify Cassius’ claim—that her mother and brother were on the Punisher, Rurik of Svendia’s flagship. Was that man her real father? After looking at a life-sized hologram, there was no doubt that he was her brother’s. The two men looked too much alike. After that, she’d hacked into some of the ship’s private files and found out much more, about Rurik, about Cassius—and his “owner”, but it wouldn’t let her open the friggin’ door. “Shit.” She slapped the console. A swoosh sounded behind her. She covered her naked body with her hands and arms as best she could and spun around. The man Knossos entered. “How did you?” She lifted a finger off the flesh of her breast and pointed to the door. “You must come with me. Now.” He motioned to her. “I’ll take you to your mother.” Cassius seemed to trust him. Mercedes didn’t need another prompt. She grabbed the sheet off the bed to cover herself. Knossos watched her actions and chuckled, shaking his head. “Earther modesty.” Then he led her out.

***** Trista. I have to protect her. To Rurik, the words of the bonding ceremony were more than ceremonial. He would die to see that she lived. He clenched his jaw and steeled himself against the pain. No matter what happened, he knew now how deeply he needed her. He could never live without her. Not again. Rurik dragged his feet once more, trying not to let on that his sluggishness was an intentional ploy to slow them down. If he could delay enough, perhaps Drakkar and his troops could find them. If his old enemy had a mind to, that was. “Do you know where the boy is?” Craddock asked the bio as Cassius rushed Rurik on. “I know as much as you. Last I heard he was on the Punisher.” Without warning, Craddock stopped then grasped Trista’s hair at the nape of her neck and put the pistol to her temple. “Rurik, where is your male offspring?” 205

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“Before we left he was in training with Bjorg.” Rurik didn’t hesitate to answer, not with Trista’s life in the balance. “Hmmm.” Craddock eased his hold on Trista and nodded, pensive. “How do we get him here? If I can do that, then my job is complete.” It was as if his uncle asked himself the question, then he looked at Trista. “Use his mother. Tell him the truth. With the Vulgarian attack, his mother’s life is threatened.” “No,” Trista protested, and struggled to free herself from Craddock’s hold. “Leave him out of this.” “I can’t.” Craddock shook her hard. “Not now. You see, since Andromeda and your mate here have ensured he was accepted by the Svendian council he, too, is a threat to my authority. Andromeda will see to that. She hates me, you know.” “I can see why,” Trista spat. “Trista,” Rurik cautioned. “Don’t antagonize him. It’ll only make things worse.” Craddock swung his malicious gaze at Rurik. “Yes, warn her, if you can. Although it is one trait I do enjoy about some of the Earther breeds. Their dogmatic adherence to what they think their power is. As if telling me not to kill your progeny has any bearing on the decision. It’s quite interesting, you know. However, I believe your Earther saying that ‘might makes right’ is more appropriate in this case. I have the power. Right now, you can do nothing.” “I can speak.” “Ah, I see. The ‘pen is mightier than the sword’ version. And if I silence you?” “You can never control how I think.” “As if that’s important. Cassius, we’ll stop here. Bind the female and put her with my nephew, then contact Captain Aegis. Tell him to send a message to the Punisher. Have him tell the Punisher’s Number One of the Vulgarian attack and that I have only now escaped with your help but that Rurik, our Conqueror, and his mate, are in danger. Their lives are being threatened even now. Hunter must come to me now if we are to save his parents. Insist on it as he knows this area. Give Aegis the coordinates to the middle of the battle. That should do it.” “No.” Trista struggled. “Trista, stop,” Rurik whispered to her as Craddock rambled. “It won’t help.” “Rurik.” Her face contorted with sadness. “I thought Hunter would be safe with you.” The sick feeling he had in his gut twisted. Rurik bowed his head. Think. “And have Aegis ask on the status of the Punisher’s landing party,” Craddock droned on. “The healer was supposed to be sent to check on Jinn.” “Your niece was here?” Cassius asked. “Yes, she is now a traitor. Why else would she have been with that blasted Vulgarian?” Craddock growled. “See to it.”

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“Yes, Master.” Cassius’ eyes grew hooded. A corner of his uncle’s mouth cocked in a leer. “Then have him send Mercedes to me.” “No,” Trista sputtered, unheeded. “But…” Cassius paused. Rurik noted the flash of anger in the bio’s face before he grew sullen again. Craddock chuckled and held up his hand. “You will have her, given you do what I ask. I will only use her as a tool. Besides—” Craddock shot the bio a darkened glare from under his bushy brows. “As I’m sure you’ve guessed, I didn’t get everything I desired out of your last liaison with her.” All emotion left the bio. The half man, half droid seemed to turn to stone. “Yes, Master.” The acid in Rurik’s gut churned as he watched the interplay between the two men. He wondered what that liaison had entailed.

***** They’d lifted the wounded and ran to the front of the cabin, the only shelter that remained. With his ship under attack and the teleporter down, Drakkar couldn’t get the injured the help they needed. “Did you bring a healer?” “Yes,” Bjorg nodded then activated his comm. “Alaric.” “Here.” The man’s voice sounded strong through the device. “We need you at the battlefield. The Vulgarians can’t get their wounded back. Contact Hunter and have the rest of the group meet up with him. They must find the commander. Half the house is gone but the way into the front remains clear.” “Understood. Out.” “Hunter is with them?” Drakkar asked. Bjorg smirked. “He’s a warrior. His father and mother are in danger. What did you expect?” Drakkar understood and prayed his sister would be all right. His mother had trusted him to keep her safe. That was impossible now. Returning another volley, he was thankful he’d taken Jinn from the battle. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate otherwise, although the bond they had affected her more. Drakkar thought that might have to do with the infusions she’d taken. It lessened her scent, although it was still strong to him. But it certainly didn’t lessen his smell, and the effects showed on her. Another enemy crossed his sights. He fired, wounding him. “Captain, my fuel is gone,” one of his crew reported as another cannon blast hit the house.

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“Go help the wounded,” he said. “Prepare to evacuate them if necessary. “Khariton,” Drakkar yelled into his comm link, “the cannon?” “It’s entrenched but we’ve got an idea.” “Hurry. If we can take that down, we’ll have them.” “Aye.”

***** Jinn scowled as she watched the scene. She needed to do something. Now. The heavier firepower would defeat the Vulgarians. There was no doubt about that. And Drakkar was in the middle of it. Jinn pressed her eyes shut, wanting to will away the odd sense of gloom that enveloped her. He can’t die. “We can’t stand here and do nothing,” Kaia cried. “My brother.” Jinn knew what her new friend meant. “Thordis.” She glanced at him. The same sullen expression Kaia wore covered his face. “Let’s move.” Thordis’ eyes narrowed and he nodded. “Kaia, give me your rifle.” Jinn held out her hand. “But…” “Can you hit a target from this distance?” The girl shook her head. “I’m good but not that good.” “I can.” She lifted the weapon from her. “Let’s go save your brother.” As one, they moved. Even hampered with the flowing sheer garment she wore, Jinn knew she would be deadly.

***** “I have contact with Number One,” Gilda, the communications officer told Meda. “He understands and agrees with your instructions.” “Patch him through,” Meda ordered, and bit her lip, praying her plan would work. Captain Aegis of the council ship insisted on speaking with Bjorg. They’d already lied and told Aegis that he couldn’t have a visual because of damage to the ship. Aegis couldn’t deny that. He could see the effects from his vantage point. Yet Meda didn’t want the man to suspect Number One was on a mission and asked Bjorg to act like any information given to him was new. Gilda put Bjorg on the bridge’s speakers so everyone could hear. The battle the men waged sounded fierce. The communications officer filtered out the background noise. When Gilda patched Aegis through, Meda held her breath.

*****

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“Bjorg is assembling a troop now,” Aegis reported. “Their capacity to transport is limited. He said Hunter would be in the first wave.” “Good, good.” “But the woman you spoke of wasn’t there.” “What?” Craddock glared at Cassius. “I locked my quarters securely,” Cassius replied, maintaining his stoic exterior. Inside, he allowed himself to feel relief. “Find her,” Craddock ordered the captain. “She must be on the ship somewhere. Check Sophos’ quarters.” “But that’s off limits. Diplomatic immunity and all.” “Check it,” the headmaster growled. “And report to me when you find her.” “Aye.” Aegis signed off. “If you have played me false…” Craddock threatened Cassius. Cassius only quirked his brow. “How could I? You had your comrades insert the destruction device should I ever disobey your commands.” “No wonder,” Rurik gritted out from under the large pine where Cassius had placed him and Mercedes’ mother. “That’s illegal, Craddock. And here I thought you were so law-abiding.” Cassius studied the large man. The commander’s face had paled. Since the laser wound remained untreated, the effects of his shot were still echoing in Rurik’s body. Cassius knew that those hurt like a bitch. Cassius looked closer. The right half of Rurik’s body seemed to lose function, but he wasn’t sure. Craddock huffed and interrupted his thoughts. “I didn’t order the procedure, Rurik, nor did I do it. I only remarked that it would be useful. My friends decided to complete the task for themselves.” “With something in return no doubt,” Rurik spat. Craddock ignored the barb. “I maintain a strict adherence to the law. You know that.” “Laws you’ve helped change to suit you,” Rurik glared, “especially those that enhanced the power of the headmaster.” “Yes. Clever of me, I know. And you never suspected. Too busy warring, I suppose. Of course, if you had, my other friends would have seen to it.” He cackled then paced and spoke, mostly to himself, as he thought aloud. Everyone present had heard the report of the headmaster’s captain. “My guards wouldn’t let Alaric go so we are good there and Hunter will be dead soon, destroyed by the Vulgarian horde. Now if I can only find your daughter, madam. I would not take it well if she showed up somewhere she shouldn’t.” Craddock glanced at Trista. Cassius watched the woman’s face. The expressions were so like Mercedes’. He admired the woman’s tenacity. Although frightened, he knew she would not be

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deterred. He sensed she would do anything to save those she loved—one of the deeper emotions taken from him and the others when they were sterilized. In the far distance, the din from the battle raged. The cannon fire demolished what was left of the old home. Cassius pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. With his special skills, he watched the remaining Vulgarians flee, and would give all he had to be one of them.

***** Knossos held Mercedes tightly against him before she stumbled over. “Teleportation takes a little getting used to,” he whispered in her ear, enjoying the sensation of her in his arms as they stood on the Punisher’s teleportation platform. He could sense what Cassius found in her. She rubbed her temple. “Tell me about it.” The doors to the room opened. “Mercedes.” Andromeda of Svendia ran to the girl. Taking Mercedes away from him, the older woman hugged her granddaughter. “I’m Andromeda, your grandmother. Knossos tells me you know your true heritage.” “I was told my mother and brother were on this ship and that my father was a Svendian. I understand his name is Rurik. I’ve seen a hologram of him. He’s the spitting image of my brother.” “You’ve seen a hologram?” Andromeda asked and looked at Knossos. Knossos nodded. “She’d broken into the computer when I found her.” “Well then.” The councilwoman smiled. “Apparently you are much like your sire also.” “Meda,” Knossos’ mother sounded over the intercom. “The Svendian Council is assembled and online.” Meda nodded. “Coming.” She turned to Knossos. “Would you please escort Mercedes to my quarters?” “Gladly.” He took the girl in his embrace again. “She’s a little wobbly.” Meda smiled. “I understand.” “Eh, Grandmother?” Mercedes said. “Are my parents in trouble?” Meda bit her lip. “They could be.” “Then I’m going with you. I want to know what’s going on.” “All right.” Andromeda nodded. “A true Svendian, I can see that.” She turned to leave, expecting them to follow. “Uh, Grandmother?” The councilwoman turned in the doorway. Mercedes flipped a lock of her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Um, at some point, would clothing be possible?” The girl looked over Meda’s outfit. “Something a little more sturdy and covering?” 210

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Knossos held back a snort, thinking the Earthers’ fixation on covering their bodies funny, and watched his mother’s old friend. The exquisite elder beauty glowed when she smiled. “I’ll see what we can do.” With that, Mercedes fled from his arms to the side of her grandmother. Knossos smiled, although sad with her departure, and couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of Cassius, knowing his lifelong friend had tasted such a unique and exotic beauty.

***** “This is good.” Jinn halted the group. “We have the angle I need and the height. That is if I can shimmy up this tree. Thordis, can you give me a push?” He handed his rifle to Kaia, who stood guard, and Jinn grew amazed at how fast the diverse group had become a functional working unit. They trusted each other. That, in and of itself, was a miracle. A thought breezed through her mind then evaporated. Perhaps Drakkar was right. Maybe they could work out the inherent problems that their different nationalities wrought. Thordis bent over and interlocked his fingers to give her a rung up. Swinging Kaia’s rifle onto her back, Jinn grasped the rough bark and put her slippered foot into his palms, then pulled herself to the nearest branch. In moments, she scrambled to the top. Her grasp was more tenuous on the thinner branches but she needed the height. It would work. Securing herself behind the main stem, she hefted the rifle off her back and moved the setting to max. The shot would give her a good kick but she needed the firepower. The cannon had to be completely destroyed. Using the vee where one of the branches met the stem, she balanced the rifle in it. Her aim had to be perfect. She glanced over the battlefield. The scene was strewn with the bodies of warriors, most of them the pretenders. She spotted the cannon. They’d reinforced their position with a laser shield, which meant she could only hit them when they were about to shoot. Jinn could tell they were readying to fire again. She pulled the visor she’d borrowed from Kaia over her eyes, needing the enhanced acuity it would bring. Aiming, she inhaled then exhaled in tempo. One, two. The laser field opened. Jinn slowly released her breath then fired. The light ray arced through the sky and slammed into the cannon. “Bingo,” she said and smiled, using one of Hunter’s phrases.

***** “What the—” Bjorg cursed as he crouched next to Drakkar, not expecting the fire from above. Drakkar activated his comm link as the men’s voices rose from the battlefield. “Khariton.”

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“It wasn’t us,” his comrade and friend replied. “It came from above but I’m damn glad some angel is on our side.” Drakkar pressed his mouth closed and eyed the tree where the blast came from. “Jinn,” he uttered through gritted teeth then addressed Khariton again. “Full scale attack,” he ordered. “Hit them with everything.” Firing, he ran onto the battlefield. Jinn scanned the combat zone and saw Drakkar rush in. “Damn fool.” She fired and hit a few of the pretenders before her sexual nemesis beat her to the punch. He glanced up. Seeing him through the visor, she noted the scowl on his face. It was as if he could see her and was chastising her for participating. “The hell you say. Don’t tell me I can’t be a warrior, damn you. Who do you think you are?” she muttered but time was limited. Now their small crew’s number-one priority was to find her brother and his mate. Thordis had told her enough. Her uncle was a traitor. Now that she looked back on everything that had happened, the fact Craddock stood at the root of this only made sense. A sickness churned her gut. She tamped down the eerie foreboding she got about that, not wanting the sensation to get in the way of what she now had to do. Looking farther out, she squinted as she eyed the horizon. With the thick foliage, it was hard but finally she saw the blue colors of Trista’s garb. “For once, I love that outfit.” Slinging the rifle on her back, she rushed down, wanting to hurry. She didn’t see Rurik and only glimpsed what looked like the shadows of a few others. Too fast. Her sheer garment caught on a branch. She worked to free herself but without the gripping power of her boots, the movement caused her foot to slip. She fell and tried to grasp one of the limbs. “Shatz,” she cursed as her arm slammed into the branches and loosed Kaia’s weapon, but she was able to loop the rifle around her arm and hold it close until her head banged against the bark. Then her vision blurred.

***** Everyone heard the blast. Trista wondered what it meant and prayed Hunter hadn’t been nearby. Sweat from fear moistened her armpits. “What the hell is going on?” Craddock cursed as he paced the glade. “Cassius, use those extra powers of yours and tell me what you see?” Craddock’s man had moved to a place he could see the battle more clearly. Trista sat by her mate, sidling into him so he would know she was there. He was fading in and out. The pain showed in the creases in his face. Oh God, please. He can’t die. For once, she had found happiness in her life. She couldn’t lose it now. Not because of the twisted man in front of her. Nor from her own bullheadedness. Rurik might not know what love looked like but he loved her just the same. She hadn’t a clue when she’d figured that out but she knew

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it for a certainty. He never would have risked everything he had all these years for her if he didn’t. And he would never have come back to her. “Well?” Craddock growled. Cassius eyed him with his stoic indifference. “It appears the Renegades have lost. A strike destroyed their cannon. Even now the Vulgarians are overtaking them, with some help from at least one of the Svendians. Bjorg, the Punisher’s Number One, is fighting beside Drakkar—not against him.” “No,” Craddock hissed. “I believe your game has been compromised.” “How?” “I know not.” Cassius holstered his pistol. Standing taller, he settled his hands behind the small of his back. “Contact Aegis. Find out where that girl is and what Sophos is up to. Quickly.” Cassius pressed the communicator on his chest. “Aegis.” “Here,” the other man responded. “Report.” “We can’t find Sophos or her spawn. I think she’s fled the ship. We—” The communication halted. “Shatz.” Rurik’s uncle paled. “Get him back.” Cassius worked the comm unit again. “The signal is blocked.” Craddock growled. “Signal Fenden. We need to leave. Now.” Craddock’s man moved to do so as Craddock paced and sputtered on. “Trista,” Rurik uttered. “When I give you the sign, I want you to run. Find help. I’ll hold them off until you’re free.” “No,” she whispered. “I won’t leave you.” “You must,” he commanded. “We won’t get another chance. Craddock’s distracted now. You have to try. I’m not sure this will work but no one knows where we are. The droid won’t kill you. Not unless Craddock orders him to, and my uncle won’t do that as long as he thinks he needs you.” “Droid?” she whispered. Rurik nodded. “Cassius. He must have hidden himself in the woods. Now, when I make a move, run into the heaviest foliage you can. Make a wide arc around the battle and move to the front of the house where the Vulgarians are but keep your eyes open, in case they get overrun. I believe Drakkar will protect you.” “Rurik…” She hesitated. “Go,” he said and leaned against the trunk as he tried to rise, “I will not have you hurt. I lov—” Flinching, he slid part way back down the tree and shut his eyes against

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the tremor that shook him. “Trista, go,” he rasped. “Save yourself.” Pressing against the trunk once more, he lifted himself off the ground. She wiggled her way up. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him then flew as fast as she could. She had to get help. Branches whipped her face. The ends of the wood dug into her arms. The sounds of her heavy breathing filled her ears. When she heard a thump, she was afraid to turn around and look. Would they kill Rurik? She prayed not. She ran faster, fear driving her. In the distance she heard Craddock yell but she was too far away to distinguish the words. Suddenly, strong arms came around her and pulled her down. When she hit the ground, her face thumped into the dirt. The man crawled on top of her and held her down. “Do not think you can get away from me,” the droid jeered. “Right now, think of your mate. Think of your daughter,” he urged. “Trust me in this, Craddock is not that forgiving. He will have me kill them.” “I understand,” she nodded and wondered why he warned her. He hoisted Trista up, and without another word carried her back to the site. Rurik lay sprawled on the ground, unmoving. Cassius eased her feet to the ground and she ran to him. “Rurik.” He said nothing. She kneeled by him and touched him. He moaned and lifted his head. The area around his eye was red and swelling. “What did you do?” Helpless, she yelled at Craddock and felt the water form in her eyes. “Foolish woman,” the headmaster scoffed. “I do not have time for your games. Don’t do that again.” “I’m fine,” Rurik rasped and struggled to rise. “Craddock, you have to get him some help,” Trista insisted. “He can’t be traveling in this condition. He’s…” Tears spilled down her cheek. Craddock’s harried appearance stilled somewhat as he studied her. A hint of compassion seemed to show in his gaze. “Touching,” he murmured, and she’d thought he actually meant it. “He’s your nephew,” she whispered. Craddock eyed her strangely. “We’re your hostages. He won’t be any good to you dead.” The headmaster sneered. “Better that than a traitor to his race. No, I cannot help him.” Suddenly his demeanor changed again to the single-minded man he had been. He turned to Cassius. “Well?” Cassius cut a quick glance to her then straightened and placed his hands behind the small of his back again. “As I was saying before we were interrupted, the Renegades followed your request and attacked the Intrepid. Now they are under attack by the Destiny. Their ability to teleport is limited.”

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“But that’s…” Panic sounded in Craddock’s voice. “Yes,” Cassius said and Trista thought she heard derision in his voice, “it is Captain Nasgorov’s ship, a Svendian battle cruiser. I say again, Master, you have been found out.” “Argh.” Craddock’s face contorted. Wild-eyed, he swerved and lifted the pistol he held toward Trista. “No,” Rurik shouted hoarsely. Now on his knees, he strained as he moved to cover her. Cassius rushed to Craddock and knocked his arm upward, holding it there. “Save your fuel. Her death is of no consequence. Take your anger out on me if you must but for now we must flee.” “What?” Craddock’s face smoothed. “Yes, yes,” he uttered as if distracted. “Thank you, my friend. How stupid of me. We can use her. In fact, they are our only out.” Cassius released him. Stepping to her, Rurik’s uncle grabbed the upper part of her arm and jerked her but Rurik barreled into the grip and broke his hold. “You will not have her,” he snarled. “If you need a hostage, Craddock, take me. I’m more valuable to you.” “No, Rurik.” She struggled behind him. Quickly she leaned over to free her leg and to get a better angle, then she kicked the bastard uncle. “Damn,” Craddock groaned and rubbed his shin. He raised his armed fist to backhand her but Rurik came between them. “Don’t,” Rurik spat. Craddock eyed him and lowered his arm. “Fine. You’re right but do not fight me, Rurik, or I will kill her.” Her mate nodded. “Agreed.” “Pick him up,” Craddock ordered the droid and pointed the pistol at Trista. “Now, keep fighting me, girl, and I will kill him. I have no compunction at this point about killing either of you.” Cassius hefted Rurik to his feet. He could barely stand. Then Craddock yanked Trista to him. “Umph.” She spun away from Craddock’s embrace, not wanting the bastard to witness her anger and frustration. “Master, the battle is closing on our position. The Vulgarian army will be here soon. We should leave.” Although Trista knew he couldn’t see it, Craddock looked to where the fighting would be. The acrid smell of the battle had strengthened. The sounds of men and laser fire grew louder. From the voices, it sounded like the Vulgarians and the Renegades were hot at it. “Here,” she yelled, and struggled as Craddock roughly hauled her into him.

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“Trista, no,” Rurik warned. He lurched against Cassius’ hold, almost breaking it as Craddock pulled her, but with Rurik’s injuries and tied hands, the droid held him back. Craddock covered her mouth with the forearm he held the pistol in, squeezing her head in an arm lock against his iron chest. “Don’t hurt her,” Rurik glared. Craddock snickered. “Another word, my dear, and I will kill your mate and you. I am desperate now. Do not tempt me.” He pressed hard against her mouth and, after releasing her slightly, slammed her head backward against him again. Her eyes watered with the pain. She nodded. “Good.” He looked at Cassius. “Let’s go.” They made it a few yards until a shot fired over their heads. “Stop right there.” Jinn’s head and shoulder appeared behind the side of a large tree. She held a rifle and pointed the weapon in their direction as she leaned against the bark. She wasn’t in uniform. She wore a sheer like Trista, which billowed out from behind the tree by the wind that skirted the glade, except the fabric in her dress was green. “Drop your weapons,” her sister-in-law demanded. Another rifle appeared a few yards to the side of her. With Trista bound to him, Craddock slowly retreated. “Jinn?” He moved closer to Cassius and backed behind the droid to protect himself, leaving Trista exposed. Rurik looked at her. The expression on his face seemed to tell her to be ready if he made a move. Trista gulped. What did he want her to do? Craddock droned on. “What are you doing here? And in breeder clothes no less? You shouldn’t be wearing those. You are sterile, like me. We are comrades in that way. I thought you had more respect for the laws.” Trista didn’t know much about fighting but she thought Craddock was working to buy time. “Let them go, Uncle.” Jinn ignored his attempt to distract her. “And if I don’t?” Craddock laughed. “I am sorry to say, dear Niece…” His voice reeked with mock sincerity. “They are my prisoners. They have betrayed their people.” Trista felt the tip of the pistol against her temple. “Uncle, don’t make me hurt you.” “Why would you do that? Think, Jinn. Who looked after you when your father was mercilessly killed? Look at all I’ve done for you. I have never played you false.” Jinn paused. “What’s wrong with my brother?” Her voice wavered. Trista glanced at Rurik. He had slumped forward. “It was an accident.” Trista felt Craddock shrug. “Call the healer if you need but we must go.” He and Cassius sidestepped to the trees. Without taking her eyes off them, Jinn nodded to the other with her. “Thordis, call for Alaric.” She stared in the direction of her uncle. “Not another step.”

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Craddock and Cassius stopped. “Now let my brother and his mate go.” “I cannot,” Rurik’s uncle argued. “Craddock,” Cassius warned, “the troops.” “I apologize, darling Jinn, but we must go.” He looked at Cassius. “Contact the council ship. Get us out of here.” “But if the ship was compromised…” Cassius lowered his voice. “Just do it,” he gritted out. “Use your special talents with the computer.” The droid activated his comm unit. “Don’t, Uncle,” Jinn warned. “I don’t want to shoot you. I can, you know. I’ll fire through the droid if I have to.” “And hit your brother? I think not.” “Craddock,” Jinn snapped. The air crackled. Rurik broke from Cassius’ grasp and in one swoop turned and bowled into Craddock, freeing Trista and knocking him to the ground as he fell. “Run,” he said to her between gritted teeth from the ground but her balance was off and she stumbled. He looked beyond her. “Now, Jinn,” Rurik called to his sister. Jinn fired, but the droid had already disappeared. Craddock was back on his feet, and before Trista could steady herself enough to escape, he had her again. “Dammit,” she cursed, and lifted her knee to kick him like a donkey, but he dragged her backward, closer to the oncoming battle, stepping away from both Rurik and Jinn. Rurik rolled onto his back and, using his powerful legs, swung them over his body then flipped himself up, his breaths heavy, his chest rising in anger. “Hurt her and I’ll feed you to the Telrusian squids.” Craddock huffed. “Oh please. Your morals are too noble for that. A simple killing is the worst you would do. Besides,” he put the pistol to her temple again, “I have the upper hand.” Trista twisted her torso, trying to wrench away from him. “Damn.” Craddock steeled his arm around her. “Don’t move,” he snarled in her ear. “I really do have nothing to lose at this juncture.” She swallowed as he tightened his arm around her neck and pulled her back, making her struggle to stay on her feet, somehow reaching his comm unit with his finger. “Fenden,” he said, but no response. Trista saw another figure change positions. A woman. “Don’t.” Craddock must have seen it too as he jammed the tip of the barrel into Trista’s skin, cutting it. “All of you, come out. Now.” He pushed so hard with the weapon this time he shoved her head to the side. 217

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No one moved. He jerked his chin at Rurik. “Tell them.” Rurik looked at Jinn and nodded. The three of them eased from behind their protected positions. “Kaia, stay behind Thordis. This isn’t your fight,” Jinn ordered. The girl wrinkled her nose at Jinn then did as she asked. The girl was the only one not armed but the others kept their rifles up. “A Vulgarian?” Craddock spat. “You are a traitor. Now drop those,” he snapped, nodding at their weapons. “They won’t help you.” “No.” Jinn seemed to steady the rifle against her body, taking aim, although her steps appeared shaky. “Jinn, you don’t want to hit your brother’s precious mate, the one he’s given all he has for.” Craddock’s whiny voice grated on Trista’s nerves. “I won’t.” Her voice rang hard and clear. “If I even think you’re about to hit that trigger, I’ll have you.” Craddock spoke into his comm unit again. “Cassius, come in. Where are you?” No answer. Jinn eased closer. A light breeze blew some debris in her face. She shuddered but otherwise ignored it. “Don’t,” Craddock snarled at Jinn as he pulled Trista back again, then addressed Rurik. “I won’t kill her if you get me transport to some place unnamed that I know you won’t be able to track.” “Agreed. But you leave her here.” “My guarantee? I think not.” “Let me shoot him, Rurik.” Jinn took another step but then her hand wavered and her chest rose with each of her newly labored breaths. The headmaster chuckled. “You see, my dear Niece? I’m your uncle—and headmaster of our people. You wouldn’t shoot me. You don’t have it in you.” From nowhere, laser fire sizzled and lanced the air. Craddock groaned and Trista felt his hold loosen. She twisted free and ran to Rurik. “She might not,” Hunter stepped away from another man in a Vulgarian uniform and stood near Craddock, pointing the rifle at his chest, “but I would.” “Hunter…” Trista sighed, for once glad the boy had become the fighter he had.

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Chapter Seventeen “Thordis, you and Carl take the others and set the perimeter,” Jinn ordered as she recovered herself. “What the hell took you so long?” Jinn snapped at Hunter as she strode toward Rurik. Hunter scowled. “I got interrupted.” He jerked his head toward the trees. “You might as well come out now. You’re already in trouble.” Hunter grimaced. “Somehow she was able to track my location and beam down. I couldn’t leave her, and with that guy able to carry her and kept up with us the way he could, she wouldn’t let me. I couldn’t leave her traipsing around with all the fun and games going on.” Mercedes peeked around one of the trees, dressed in what looked like a toga. “Mom?” Another head peeked out over top of her. The blond man waved. “Mercedes?” Trista sighed with relief. “You’re all right.” “Mercedes,” Rurik breathed in awe as he gazed for the first time on his daughter. Trista could tell from the look in his face he was moved. “And Knossos.” Rurik huffed. “I didn’t think he had it in him,” Rurik whispered in Trista’s ear as he held his stunned arm. Jinn went behind Rurik and swung the strap of the rifle she held over her shoulder. “By the look of you, I thought you were seriously injured.” She worked to free his hands. “I am but it could have been worse. I can still move, at least for now. The droid used a reverberating ray on me.” “Fuck,” Jinn whispered as she examined his wound. Rurik huffed. Trista could tell he struggled to hold himself together. “Wanted them to think I couldn’t function well. I thought you would come. You’re stubborn like that, but I wasn’t sure after Drakkar dragged you off, and I needed to buy the time.” Trista swallowed and studied Rurik as Jinn came behind her and freed her. “You really weren’t dying?” Trista asked. Jinn leaned over and looked at his wound. “Well, he could if this stays untreated.” She patted her brother on the back. “Alaric should be here soon.” From nowhere, a light rent the air. Smoke billowed around Craddock. Trista heard a thump. “Fuck,” Hunter grunted, choking through the smoke. “Dammit.” He was on his knees. “The shithead’s gone.” Hunter bolted up and ran from the smoke to the edge of the glade. “Hunter,” Rurik called. “It’s no use. The droid probably had a personal cloaking device. I’m sure he came back for him.”

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“Who?” Mercedes had eased around the area and came to her mother. Knossos followed in her wake like a lost puppy. Trista hugged her, glad her daughter was in her arms. “Craddock’s assassin,” Rurik answered, his mouth drawn as he looked at her. “Cassius?” Mercedes looked around. “He was with… But he was so nice,” she muttered. “That killer?” Hunter piped up. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Mercedes frowned. “He was protecting me. He told me so.” “And you believed him?” her brother scoffed. “Hunter,” Trista chided. Mercedes was obviously upset. “He’s gone, Mercedes.” Rurik cringed in agony as he came to her. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he peered into her face. His features were etched with concern. “Did he hurt you?” “Cassius?” she squeaked, then cleared her throat and pulled away from Trista. “No.” She paused a moment and licked her lips. Rurik studied her a moment. “Mercedes, he has no emotions, not like you.” He spoke softly to her, fatherly. “He can’t love.” Trista blinked. Did her mate actually mention the word love? “Yes, that was taken away from him,” Knossos said, bitter. “What they did to them was wrong,” Mercedes said. “The computer told me what happened. What a crock.” “You accessed the computer?” Rurik asked. She nodded. “Yes. I found Hunter on it, too, then I convinced Knossos to teleport us down to him.” Alaric chuckled as he entered the glade. “Apparently she’s very resourceful. Got away from Meda without anyone noticing.” He came toward Rurik. “Let me see you first, Commander.” “Father?” Mercedes asked before Alaric reached him. It was Rurik’s turn for silence. “Yes.” Without saying another word, she hugged his waist. Rurik wrapped his good arm around her and eyed Trista as his eyes glazed. He kissed the top of her head and held her tight. Watching them, a warmth flooded Trista, the knowledge that life with him would be all right. Rurik would know what the love of a woman was because he had already found it. He just needed her to point it out.

*****

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Cassius laid his unconscious bundle down, glad he’d zapped Craddock with a sleeping ray. The two of them would get away and he didn’t feel like listening to the man’s mouth at the moment. Sitting, he watched the tender scene in front of him, relishing the warm feelings that came from the closeness the Svendian royals had found. Mostly, he watched Mercedes. She was with her family now. She would learn what her true place was. Cassius had saved her. Some part within his twisted metal soul felt glad for her. Another part ached, longed for the warmth of her body again. He swallowed, not wanting to feel the pain of losing her. He had felt that hurt too many times already in his life. First, his father to the war, then his mother to the asylum. But like a moth to a flame, he couldn’t help but yearn for the life a normal man could lead with Rurik’s daughter. Swallowing, Cassius turned away. He’d always known she couldn’t be his. Knossos had told him some time ago Drakkar would make a compelling argument for her, one that would ensure harmony between the two peoples. Knowing her the short time he had, she would accept. If only to make peace. Cassius closed his eyes a moment to dispel the reality, then, looking at her, he dreamed once more that she would be his. Attenuating his ear, he listened to her banter, needing to hear her voice one last time. “What is this you’re wearing?” her father asked her. Mercedes face beamed. “The only thing I could. A sheet. Hey.” She stepped away from him and pulled the sides out, letting the fabric billow. “It’s a lot more covering than what my grandmother wears.” Cassius smiled. Through the cloth, he saw the outline of her body. His groin heated as he remembered her gentle touch. “You met Mother then.” Rurik laughed. Mercedes nodded. “Yes. And I like her.” The healer came to Rurik and attended his wound. Good. Cassius had known the injury was not that severe, at least not yet, but it was certainly painful. Mercedes frowned then seemed to look in Cassius’ direction, searching for him. Could she sense where he was? He shook his head. No. That wasn’t possible. She wasn’t a biodroid. Yet, her gaze lingered while Cassius watched. He absorbed her features like a thirsty man with a cup of water, searing them within the nanobytes in his brain. The soft curve of her face, the tumble of the ocean waves in her eyes. Her sensual body under his. A lone drop of water formed in the corner of his eye and coursed down his cheek. He touched the unusual moisture and wondered how it could be, but there it was. Craddock stirred next to him. Time to go. He could delay no longer. Keeping his eyes on Mercedes, he pressed his comm link and ordered the teleportation from the renegade’s computer. They would disappear with no one knowing where.

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He grimaced. He still had a job to do, one that promised him retribution for his loss. Sneering, he allowed himself to feel his superiority. He would be able to keep his secrets without anyone else the wiser, the hidden talents he possessed that only the one person knew of, the skills he used to spy on Craddock for the only person who could override the man’s total authority over him. Slowly, Mercedes faded from sight. “Goodbye, Beloved,” he whispered. Before he disappeared entirely, he thought she stared in his direction again—and imagined she knew she was his.

***** Alaric took Rurik’s arm and scanned it as he debriefed him. “Bjorg and Drakkar’s Number One are heading up the joint forces. They’re taking care of the rest of the Renegades. Apparently Craddock was financing a part of the Renegade troop from public funds. He’d designed procedures to hide his endeavors, yet appear legal. Drakkar went back to the ship to check on his people and find his sister. The Renegades had attacked his ship and Bjorg sent Nasgorov to help defend them. Seems one Renegade cruiser got away though.” He eyed Rurik a moment then smirked. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Drakkar’s the devious bastard we’ve been led to believe—at least, not in this.” “He isn’t.” Kaia stepped up, defending her brother. “He’s a good man. Honest. And he isn’t going to find me there, darn it!” “You’re Enemy Number One’s sister?” Hunter pointed to her then pressed his lips together and scratched his head. “Oh shit.” “Look.” Kaia stood with her hands on her hips. “My brother’s never thought much about your dad either.” “God’s teeth,” the Vulgarian with Hunter cursed, interrupting the two. “I forgot to tell Khariton she was here. She snuck into the last wave. I had to keep her with me. Drakkar is going to have a fit.” Jinn giggled and stepped to her, slapping her on the shoulder. “Good for you, girl. I knew I liked you. I wondered why that arrogant prick would let you come.” Kaia quirked her lips. “Jinn,” Rurik schooled. Rurik’s sister shrugged. “Well he is, damn him, trying to tell me…” She cut her banter short and cleared her throat. “I better get back to the ship.” “But your head,” Kaia said. “You need it looked at. Drakkar will have a fit if there is something wrong with you and he didn’t know.” Alaric jerked his chin up and stared at the girl. Rurik glanced from Kaia to Jinn. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” “Me? Of course not.” Jinn backed up.

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Kaia had a look of mischief in her eyes. “Stay there,” Rurik ordered. “I mean it.” “Grrr,” Jinn said under her breath. Alaric finished with Rurik. “Better?” Rurik rolled his shoulder. “Yeah. Much.” “I’ll give your wound a thorough examination when we get to the ship.” He turned to Jinn. “Your turn.” She waved him off. “I’m fine,” she snapped. “Go away.” Alaric scanned her. She stamped her foot. The healer chuckled. “Well, other than a lump on her head and a bruised arm, it says she normal. No other activity.” He looked at her strangely then shut the instrument off and cocked his brow as he glanced at Rurik. “Your mother will be glad to hear that.” Rurik frowned. “It’s more like a lump in her brain, if you ask me. What’s going on, Jinn? And don’t lie. I already have my suspicions.” “Nothing. Nothing that you need to be aware of.” The air crackled. Another figure beamed in. “I-I really have to go,” Jinn said. “Someone needs to track Craddock and that killer biodroid.” “No you don’t.” Rurik pointed to her then looked at Drakkar as he slowly materialized. “Oh shatz,” Jinn cursed and backed up, reaching around for the pack she’d somehow gotten, along with the rifle. She licked her finger and lifted it in the air, as if testing the wind, then slipped behind the tree next to Trista. Drakkar solidified. For a moment, the two men who led their separate people in battle stood and glared at each other. The murmurs of the others quieted. Trista held her breath. “I owe you, Drakkar of Vulgaria,” Rurik said as he broke the silence. “You and your men saved my mate and myself. We would have died here.” The tension in Drakkar’s stance abated. “I am also in your debt, Rurik of Svendia. Your Captain Nasgorov saved my ship. We had sustained too much damage from the last attack to properly defend ourselves.” He glared at Kaia. “I am also glad my sister is safe and that your people had the good sense to keep her from harm.” Kaia crossed her arms and frowned. Rurik glanced at the girl then pressed his lips together, grimacing. “None of this would have been necessary if it wasn’t for my uncle’s conspiracy. You lost warriors on my behalf.”

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Drakkar nodded and studied his old enemy. “Yes, but maybe fate intervened.” He glanced over to the tree near Trista. “Tell me, Commander, if our roles had been reversed, would you have done the same?” Rurik paused a minute. His look measured the man. “Perhaps. Then again,” he looked to where Jinn had been and cocked a brow when he didn’t see her, “maybe I should know more about why you were chasing my sister.” The Vulgarian smirked. “Maybe you should ask her.” He nodded to the tree Jinn hid behind. “Psst.” Jinn hissed at Trista. “Give me your comm unit.” She put her palms together like she was praying. “Please,” she mouthed. “You’re my sister. Save me.” “But…” Trista glanced at her then back at Rurik. The crowd around them stared in her direction. The air near Drakkar crackled again. Three other figures materialized next to him. Trista took the chain off and held the unit in her hand. “Why?” she clutched the item and asked in a whisper to Jinn as Rurik’s mother and a beautiful dark-skinned woman solidified. Drakkar spoke again, drawing away Trista’s attention. “I asked your mother and Sophos to be here. As witnesses.” When the two women and Meda’s guard, Ranulf, were released from the rays, the men in the gathering bowed their heads. “Trista,” Jinn whispered through her clenched jaw as if trying not to breathe. Her sister-in-law wiggled her fingers, wanting the comm unit. “You didn’t answer my question,” Trista whispered back. “Oooh, no,” Jinn moaned and grasped her chest, leaning against the bark as the breeze changed directions. “Shatz.” Drakkar looked Jinn’s way again then back at Rurik. “I thought to cement the peace with an old-fashioned deal, a type of guarantee that has been long accepted by both our peoples.” He paused. “This war has gone on much too long. Too many have perished at your and my hands.” “Agreed.” Rurik nodded but Trista could tell his guard was up. “What do you suggest?” Sophos stepped forward. “Drakkar has his council’s approval to seal the peace, Rurik. He would like your daughter for a bondsmate as a personal guarantee that the Svendians will keep the agreement.” “What? Like hell,” Jinn yelled from behind the tree as Trista gasped. Drakkar chuckled and waved his hand. “No, Sophos. I didn’t have the chance to tell you. It isn’t Mercedes I want.” “But?” Sophos lifted a finger, confused.

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Trista released a sigh of relief and the thought brushed her mind that these people might be well advanced in technology but they had a long way to go when it came to societal issues. “If you don’t mind, for a concerned mother’s sake,” Trista interjected. “What the hell is going on?” Drakkar’s dark, enigmatic look darted to the tree where Rurik’s sister hid. The Vulgarian wanted Jinn. “With my apologies, Trista of Svendia,” he formally nodded to Trista, “I didn’t mean to upset you but I devised the plan some time ago. I knew someone was out to hurt your offspring, but not who, so I kept them safe. I did not want the Vulgarians to be blamed for their demise. When the attacks renewed, it was then I planned on using Mercedes to bind the peace. You see, before now I had never found my mate and I thought,” he looked at Rurik, “with one of your own in Vulgarian hands, you wouldn’t attack us again.” “But I never attacked you in the first place,” Rurik answered. “I know that now,” Drakkar said. “Noooo yooooou don’t.” Jinn stood, her legs shaking, and came around the tree. “I’m not going with you. I have things to do and I’ll be damned if you are going to tell me how to do them.” “You promised.” Drakkar crossed his burly arms and glared at her. Jinn gulped. “I promised I was your mate but think again what I agreed to.” She wobbled. “I didn’t say I’d live with you, you just assumed that in the heat of passion.” She backed farther from the tree. “The what?” Rurik winced as he swerved to look at Jinn. Turning his head, he glanced at the Vulgarian. “But Jinn’s sterile. Why would you want to bond with her?” Drakkar shook his head. “No, she isn’t. She’s been using some ancient remedy to cover her scent. She told me. That’s how she’s fooled everyone for so long. Apparently, it doesn’t show up on the med scanners, but the infusion wasn’t strong enough to prevent me from detecting her fertility.” “That would mean…” Rurik looked at him, shocked. “Yes,” Drakkar stared at Jinn. “She’s mine. Nature has put us together. I’ve officially claimed her.” “You did what?” Rurik roared and glared at Jinn. Jinn backed away. “Don’t look at me like that.” “Jinn,” Rurik said. “Is this true?” “Don’t ask me that.” “Jinn,” Rurik demanded. Meda glanced at her son then her daughter. “Jinn, it’s too late now. You must tell them the truth.” Jinn growled. “Okay, so I couldn’t help myself, but I won’t be bonded to him. Not as some package in some agreement. It’s barbaric. And I will not be told what to do, especially by that man. Hell, he doesn’t want me to be a warrior but it’s my life. I decide 225

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what I want. Besides, I swore I’d get the man responsible for Father’s death. Now I know who that is.” Her voice trembled. Trista heard a grumble throughout the crowd. Rurik looked at his mother. “You knew?” She sighed and shook her head. “She is my daughter. I’m sorry, Rurik, but there were reasons.” “Mother.” Rurik cringed and ran a hand through his hair. Swerving, he looked at Drakkar. “If you’ve already claimed her then it’s an easy agreement. She’s yours and we’ll seal the peace we negotiate with your bonding.” “No,” Jinn yelled. “I won’t do it.” “You already promised,” Rurik groused at her. “There’s not much I can do about it now.” Drakkar grinned. Rurik huffed and stared at his old enemy. “I hope you know what you’re getting. She’s spoiled and willful and she isn’t the easiest person in the galaxy to deal with.” Drakkar’s mouth tilted in a frown. “I already have experience in that regard.” He glanced at his sister. Rurik followed Drakkar’s gaze with his own and huffed. “Even so, I’m sure I’m getting the better end of this bargain.” Drakkar studied Jinn a moment then addressed Rurik. “Look, I don’t know why this happens. But I need her.” Rurik paused. A pensive expression crossed his face then he looked at Trista for a long moment. The warm smile he gave her reflected contentment. His eyes shone and locked with hers. Was there more? “I know what you mean,” he murmured. Trista returned the smile then felt the comm unit yanked from her. “No,” Drakkar and Rurik yelled as one. Jinn had pulled the comm from Trista’s hand. Trista looked back. Rurik’s sister had disappeared. “Damn.” Drakkar rushed to where Jinn had stood. “How…” Drakkar eyed his sister. “Kaia? You gave her your pack, didn’t you?” His sister shrugged. “Jinn needed it. It had my visor in it. Besides, she saved your backside. Who do you think took that cannon out?” “But it had your personal cloaking device in it, didn’t it?” he growled. “Yes.” She crossed her arms in protest. “You shouldn’t have told her she couldn’t be a warrior. We allow that, you know.” “Damn it.” Drakkar ran his hand through his hair then snapped his head toward Rurik, panic-stricken. “Go find her,” Rurik said. “She’ll be looking for Craddock. I’ll put everything we have on it as well. The peace is safe. Don’t worry.”

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“I’ll take you at your word.” Drakkar strode to him and held his hand out. Rurik clasped his forearm as Drakkar did the same and they shook on it. “I will stand as witness,” Sophos said. “As will I,” Andromeda piped in. Sophos rubbed her hands together. “Finally. This is a historic event.” “Khariton, take command,” Drakkar grunted. “I’ll be indisposed for a while. God’s teeth,” he uttered as he activated his comm unit and disappeared into thin air. Khariton got his men together and group by group they left for the ship. “Bjorg,” Rurik said. “Aye, Commander.” “Get back to the ship and see what you can do.” “Aye.” Rurik’s Number One looked grim. “Hunter, the rest of you, teleport back. Get someone to clean up this mess and clear the area. Make sure the locals are made unaware. Shatz, I hate that.” He shot a quick look at Trista. “Yes sir.” Hunter worked to round the others together. After nodding at Meda, Ranulf went with him. “Mother.” Rurik scowled at her. “Why?” Andromeda shrugged. “Bonding scares her more than anything. I’m not sure why.” She rubbed her stomach and cringed. “Meda?” Alaric came to her. She looked at him. “I’m queasy, again. I’m not sure why lately. I should have never agreed to bond with you. I’m too old.” Alaric frowned. “You say this because you feel sick?” He huffed. “Don’t worry. You’ll get over what it is you have.” “How do you know?” She arched her brows as Trista came to Rurik. “Because,” Alaric beamed, “I scanned you while you slept.” “You…” Meda bristled. Alaric took her in his arms and kissed her. “I’ve been trying to get you alone to tell you. You’re pregnant, Meda.” “What?” she shrieked. “At my age?” He laughed. “Yes.” He dipped his chin and studied her. “Although it won’t matter to me, tell me, am I the sire?” She gaped then wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Alaric, it’s you. Since I’ve been alone, it’s always been you.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed him. Rurik cleared his throat and pulled Trista tighter against him.

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“Um.” Alaric backed away as if suddenly realizing the rest of the group was there. “I guess we’ll be taking our leave.” He lifted Andromeda and cradled her in his arms. “We’ll see you on board.” “As will I,” Sophos said. “There is one thing that must be decided though. Hunter is satisfied with his new life but I must be sure Mercedes is as well. She is part Earther. She must be recompensed for being pulled away from the life she had.” “I know what I want.” Mercedes stepped up. “I want Cassius as compensation.” Sophos sputtered. “Mother, she is allowed whatever she wants, within reason,” Knossos grunted. “I think her request reasonable.” Sophos studied him a minute then nodded. “He will be yours, if we can find him and get him away from Craddock. That will be the difficult part.” “Mercedes,” Rurik schooled, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” “It’s what I want. I’m sure of it.” Rurik’s daughter lifted her chin in defiance. Trista could see Rurik in that move. Sophos placed her hand on Rurik’s arm. “If you’re worried about her safety, don’t be. I believe Cassius would protect her with his life.” Rurik took a deep breath then nodded. “So be it then.” Sophos smiled. “We’ll see you on board. Mercedes, would you accompany us? I believe your mother and father would like some time alone.” Mercedes giggled. “Sure. See you on board?” She hugged her mother then rushed to Rurik and stopped in front of him as if unsure. “Am I supposed to bow or something?” “Huh?” Trista asked as Rurik left her side and stepped to his daughter and hugged her, lifting her in his arms and swinging her around. “No, Mercedes.” He kissed her temple. “Men will only bow to you. It is our way.” He set her down. Trista went to Mercedes and hugged her. “Why did you ask such a question?” she asked, overwhelmed that she finally had her family back. “Because,” Mercedes put her hands on Trista’s shoulders as she leaned back and looked at her, “with Craddock gone, now Rurik is the head of the royal family.” Mercedes glanced at her father. “I looked it up when I broke into the computer.” Rurik shook his head. “You are brilliant. I can see you will give the teachers at the institute a difficult time.” Merecedes’ mouth quirked in a frown. “So they say.” Leaving Trista’s arms, she kissed Rurik’s cheek then backed up and waved. “Well, see you on board.” In moments, the final group departed. “Trista,” Rurik pulled her to him, “I…” He exhaled and looked down for a brief time. “I’m so sorry. I should have known. About you, the children—my uncle’s treachery…”

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His face filled with a swirl of emotions that Trista had a hard time trying to name. Love, regret, sadness. She put her fingers to his lips. “It’ll be all right. I promise.” He swallowed. “But your things. I doubt there’s anything left.” She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around him. “It won’t matter, Rurik. The most important thing I need is right here in my arms. I know that now.” He kissed her and ran his hands over her shoulders to her neck, cradling her face in his palms. “I have something to tell you but I need some privacy.” “Hmmm.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I think I know just the place. There’s a small inn not far from here. I have credit and cash on Earth. This will be my treat. Can we? I mean, do you have the time?” The corner of his mouth cocked upward in a grin. “I’ll make time. You deserve it after all I’ve put you through. What is the Earther custom after two people are bonded? I know there is one.” She smirked. “It’s a honeymoon. And since we’re on Earth, you’d better use the word marriage.” “Marriage.” He took her in his arms and nipped her neck. “Mmmm.” He lifted his head. Pulling something from his mouth, he stared at it. “What is it?” she asked, and looked at the small object. “Well, if my guess is right, it’s the jamming device. My uncle must have placed it on your neck so I wouldn’t search him.” He tested his comm device. It still didn’t work. “Hold this.” He walked away. When he was far enough, he tested his comm again and smiled. “My uncle is a clever one.” He strode back to her and took the jamming device back. “Well, this could be useful for now.” He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “I guess I’ll be like an Earther now. It’ll be a new experience. So where is it you want to take me?”

***** The rugged coast of the North Pacific always stirred Trista. Naked underneath the opened robe she wore, she stood on the balcony of their room at the small inn and let the wind rush against her. Her skin pimpled in the cool air and her nipples peaked, yet the rays of the sun heated her skin. The ends of her garment snapped in the breeze as she inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of the salt air, not knowing when she’d get to do this again. Rurik came behind her only wearing the towel he had wrapped around himself after their shower. As soon as they’d arrived, she’d wanted him. They’d made hot love for the better part of the first half-hour then did the same in the bath. Still she couldn’t get enough of him. Rurik wrapped his powerful arms around her body and snuggled his face into the loose strands of hair at her neck. His warm arms and gentle touch were a stirring contrast to the breeze. “What are you thinking?” His breath caressed her ear.

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She smiled. Leaning back into him, she brushed his face with her fingers. “Wondering if Jinn will be all right. Glad the kids are fine and have embraced your world.” Rurik grunted. “Yeah. Me too.” A corner of his rich lips rose into a partial grin. “I told you the children would be fine.” Then his lips thinned as he hugged her close. “As to Jinn…” He placed a soft peck on Trista’s shoulder. “She’s resourceful but she’s never been totally alone before. I’m worried about her but she’s not stupid, and if Drakkar is the man I think he is, he’ll find her.” Rurik’s gaze held Trista. “I know he won’t stop until he does. He can’t help himself.” Softly, she chuckled. “And I suppose that explains all your behavior over the last several…well,” she shrugged, “whatever the Svendian timeframe is.” “Yes,” he said, his voice husky. The color in his turquoise eyes deepened. “Trista, what about you?” She rubbed her palms over the powerful arms that held her. “What do you mean?” “Will you be able to embrace my world? If not, I will live here with you. We can rebuild your home. I can—” She put her finger against his lips to stop him. “Rurik, what are you saying?” He kissed her fingertip then bypassed it and placed a lingering peck on her lips. “That I would give up everything I have to be with you.” She turned in his embrace and rendered him a smile. “That won’t be necessary. I know I told you that I wanted something important to do but I’ve found that.” He drew his brows together. “With everything that’s gone on?” “Yes, I’m going to love you with all my heart. Then I’m going to get involved with your social issues, especially women’s rights.” He let out a hearty laugh then smirked. “Now I know I’m really in trouble.” She giggled as he nuzzled her neck. “You know, you could tell me more about being a Svendian royal. How much influence do you really have?” His lips thinned but the edges lifted in humor. “A lot.” She stood on her toes and nipped his earlobe. “Good. Then that should make my job easier.” He forced a grimaced look to his face. “I can see life with you will be full of challenges.” His turquoise eyes gleamed then grew somber. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t live without you, Trista.” She kissed him. “Rurik, I can’t live without you either. I don’t want us to ever be apart again.” “We won’t. Not like before. I swear it.” He placed his lips against her neck and suckled her skin. She moaned with the heated sensation that built in her core. “I’m glad this place is private.” His throaty voice stroked her skin.

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She leaned into him and inhaled deeply. “Yeah, no beach for anyone to walk down. We could stay naked out here all day without anyone knowing.” She closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest, relishing the feel of him. He nipped her ear. “Sounds good to me.” She tugged off the towel he wore around his hips and dropped it to the deck. Taking his penis, she stroked him. She wanted him again. Apparently, Rurik felt the same. With a few pulls, his sex grew long and hard. Inside, she glowed at his reaction to her. He inhaled then groaned. “God’s teeth, woman.” He held her tight as he suckled her earlobe. Trista giggled. She had come to love his Svendian sense of smell. It let him know how her body reacted to his. And right now, the moisture between her legs bloomed again. “Trista,” he breathed in her ear, “before I have you again, I must tell you something.” Burying his fingers inside the shoulders of the robe, he slid the fabric off her and let it drop, piercing every part of her with his heady gaze. Finally, he took her face in his palms and stared into her eyes. “I love you, Trista,” he said, his voice thick, husky. He ran his hands slowly down the length of her arms. The day had been so full of emotion. She wanted to cry, but as serious as he looked, she didn’t want him to misunderstand her tears, as they would be ones of joy. Instead, she swallowed. “Are you sure, Rurik?” He grunted. “Yes. More than anything. What I’d told you was true. I didn’t think I knew what the love of a woman was, but when I thought I might lose you, it occurred to me that I’d never experienced love with another woman because I’d already found it in you.” He brushed her lips with his thumb. “I’ve been such a fool. About Craddock, about you. So much time that I’ve wasted. I promised to keep you safe. I could have lost you forever.” She bit her lip. “But you didn’t. You really love me?” “Yes.” He palmed her face and tenderly took her lips with his. “With everything that I am.” She slid her arms around his neck and lingered a kiss on his lips. “Then that’s all that matters, Beloved.” He touched his forehead against hers and smiled. “I love you, Trista of Svendia.” “And I love you, Rurik. With all that I am.” Standing on her tiptoes, she leaned against him and kissed him again. His penis burgeoned. She felt his cock pulse against her torso. “Mmm,” she moaned, “and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.” “Good,” he said, lifting her and setting her ass on top of the rail, “because I don’t ever intend to stop loving you or having you in my life.” The tip of his penis teased the folds of her sex. His hot mouth came down on her breast and licked then nipped the tip as the cool wind blew against the wetness.

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“Oh.” She closed her eyes and arched against him, holding his tawny head against her, sensing every move he made. His large hand grabbed her rear cheek and squeezed, holding her steady. He parted her legs even more with his body, then a finger from his other hand reached for her clit and stroked her, entering her vaginal canal, then pulled back across the nub of her sex, coating it with the wetness that came from her. Intense heat built in her core but it was more than just sex. It was one of bonding. She loved him and could never live alone without him. She purred as the sensation rose. “I love you, Trista,” he rasped again then thrust into her. “You are the best of everything that I am.” He nipped her neck and came to her mouth, devouring it with his lips, his tongue. “I’ll never stop telling you that, or believing it. I swear.” She smiled. Her walls clenched around him. “Then that’s all I need to know, because I love you, Rurik, forever.” With a lusty grin, he lifted her onto him and pumped into her, the friction within her driving her higher than she’d ever been. When she peaked, she knew, she would always find love, his love. And that there wasn’t anything in the galaxy that mattered to her as much as this.

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About the Author A Woman poised on the edge of discovery. That is who I am. If we watch closely enough, we find who we are by what we do. I love to write. I love the alternative worlds that the mind drops into when dreaming. It’s liberating, it’s invigorating. It is an exploration. It’s a creation. I believe in dreams. I believe in the power of dreams to motivate you. Dreaming is a gift. Pursue it, pursue the thoughts, I say to myself. To whatever end. For who knows where the journey will take me? I’ll never know what I can achieve until I garner the courage and take the first step. So in this, Elle is a woman of discovery, an explorer, an adventurer. Now, I must admit, I developed the nom de plume so readers will know they’re getting a different kind of book from my others written under Lise Fuller. Yes, I still love the action and adventure, and will always have some of that in my works, but as I kept writing as Elle, more things of wonder came to me, and I hope, as you read my works, the same will come to you. As to the name? I took it from the French—“Elle” for “she” and “Amour” for love. She loves. This is what I do, who I am. Join me on the journey. Elle welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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