Silver and Silence

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Stella has given her life to the Coalition, but her soul belongs to the men on her team. When they see something they shouldn’t, her men are locked in stasis while she is held hostage to keep the charade of their situation hidden. Her cooperation is the ransom to keep her men alive and when someone offers her an opportunity to rescue them, she would give anything to see them free. Anything.

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Silver and Silence A Trapezium Exclusive By Viola Grace

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he monitor with the current date and time scrolling across the bottom of the screen was always within her reach. Captain Stella Yivell was tortured with the image of her men in comas with minimal brain activity. The split screen gave her another image of their data history. “You will be ready this evening, Stella, or your little troupe will be reduced by one.” Councilman Arken Shahs was a handsome man, but just looking at him made Stella queasy. “I will be ready.” She faced him when she spoke. He hated talking to her back and she wasn’t always able to hide the bruises in the clingy evening gowns he required her to wear. He looked as if he wanted to pick a fight, but he turned and left her alone with the images of her men. Her men, her team. They had trusted her to keep them safe, but stumbling into the remains of a black op after an entire population had been killed for mineral rights had put them in way over their heads. They were a standard check and report patrol, running one day ahead of schedule. One simple day. If they had arrived even six hours later, the ships would have been gone, the local 1

Viola Grace magma pocket would have been punctured and the people of Deliotha would have disappeared as if they had never even existed. Shahs’ men had captured them and been forced to deal with a difficulty. Her group had reported in when they found the first bodies and there was a record of their arrival in the Coalition archives. If not for that bit of procedure, they would have been left as corpses with the population. Shahs had given her an ultimatum. If she kept her silence for one year, she would be free and her men’s minds would be returned to their bodies unharmed. To assure her that this could be done, she had experienced it firsthand. The memory of separation and then nothing only to be returned to her body haunted her when she looked at her men. Shahs had assured her that they were in a virtual world, boring, but enough to keep their minds occupied. The images of their mind reports were enough to give her hope that her men might one day walk out of the facility. In the meantime, she had a dinner and dance to attend. Shahs had set her up with a full wardrobe of evening gowns and elegant clothing. He had thankfully stopped coming to her rooms during the night for sex and settled for beating her in spots that would not show with a gown on. The beatings were easier to take than the feel of him against her. 2

Silver and Silence She opened the huge closet doors, stepping inside to make her selection. The trappings she had been given were lovely but still a reminder of her servitude. Stella selected an ice blue gown. The marks on her ribs and back would not be visible through the lined fabric and its silken construction and quiet colouring suited her mood. Every day she filed a status report that was taken across the sector and sent to the Coalition offices. She lied in every single report that she sent, but if the Coalition ever suspected that she and her men were not where she claimed, her men would be dead. It was a peculiar situation, but after one year, Shahs had promised them freedom. No one would care about the Deliotha, nor would anyone believe a report that had been so long in coming. He was a brutal man, but Stella held hope that he would honour his word. The other option was to find a way to her men and free them, but to date, she had no idea where they were being kept, and was unclear on precisely how to release them from their virtual prisons. This was not something she wanted to do on theory. She sighed and shook herself back to the moment. The gown was simple, so a braid draping down her shoulder would be a fine complement to her costume. 3

Viola Grace Shoes in a muted grey matched the trim on the gown and she was ready in ten minutes, waiting patiently for Councillor Arken Shahs to arrive and escort her to yet another event as his beloved companion. If only they knew the truth, but the truth in this case would kill six people. She continued her silent vigil, the monitors and video feed her only comfort in the dimming light of sunset. “It is lovely to meet an active member of the Coalition, Miss Yivell. If more young ladies took an interest in politics, the meetings would be far less of a chore.” The Councillor reached out with one of his tentacles and caressed her backside. She smiled and let the male grope his fill. It was part of her duty as Shahs’s hostess. “I am honoured to meet such a distinguished representative as you, Councillor Glerig. My companion, Councillor Shahs, is very happy that you have come to our little gathering here on Dakora.” The tentacle curled over her hip and tugged her close. “Perhaps we could discuss this honour more privately?” A deep voice, rich and rumbling, interrupted. “Leave her, Glerig. This is no time for you to monopolize our hostess.” Stella breathed a deep sigh of relief as the 4

Silver and Silence odious male moved away and she was left facing this new threat to her equilibrium. “Hello. I am sorry, I did not catch your name.” He was tall. Taller than her by a head, fit, with intelligent eyes set over a no-nonsense nose and a rugged chin. His shoulders dwarfed her, made her feel petite. The slender physique of Shahs would be no match for this man. “Councillor Hahn of the Necrion assembly. I am honoured to make your acquaintance, Madam Yivell.” He took her hand in formal fashion and bent over it, the lightest touch of his lips on her knuckles. Her breath hitched and her belly shimmied in response. Oh, if only she could have met this man when she wasn’t constrained to hide herself. “You have me at a disadvantage.” She could feel the blush on her cold cheeks. This was the first waking moment that her hormones had had since this debacle began and a ripple of shame ran through her that she could be aroused while her men waited for her to save them. “And I intend to keep you there.” He kept her hand in his and led her to the dance floor. Without an invitation, he swept her into his arms and waltzed around the other couples with a grace and control that she admired. “You were not on the guest list.” Her words were a whisper in his ear as he held her close. 5

Viola Grace “I know, but I am new to my position and Shahs was willing to make an exception when he realized where I was from.” She laughed lightly. It was a forced laugh. The Necrion assembly controlled the Deliothan system and if he was here, he knew something was up. “What could our small gathering have to offer a Councillor from such a sector?” She leaned back to meet his gaze and he was staring at her with a wealth of sadness in his deep grey eyes. “I am finding what I was looking for.” Unaccountably, tears rushed to her own eyes and to cover her lack of composure, she shifted and tripped the lady of the couple passing them. The couple crashed into Stella and her partner and during the intervening apologies, the song ended and she slipped off to the buffet table with a regretful smile to Councillor Hahn. She was eating a tiny sandwich when she felt the chill that Shahs triggered. “Who is he, Arken?” He hated it when she used his first name, but he had no choice when they were pretending to be lovers. Using formalities when they were supposed to be mimicking a happy couple was out of the question. “He is the newest Councillor of the Necrion assembly and as such, he has power over every mining and investigation within his auspices and his range is extensive. What did he ask you?” 6

Silver and Silence She thought about it. “He didn’t ask me anything. He simply introduced himself and then we danced.” Arken looked down at her. “Do you think he is interested in you?” While they danced, she had felt the warmth of his formal clothes as well as the occasional hard brush of his erection. “He might be. Why?” “Give him whatever he asks for and whatever you can think of. I want to stay on his good side.” In that one instant, she went from prisoner to whore and she struggled to maintain her calm. She nodded coldly and composed her features so that they didn’t show her utter shock. A quick bright smile and she walked away from her tormentor, heading for the open balcony. Stella thought about jumping and her body would flutter endlessly to the ground before she struck and ended her torment, but that would doom her men to their deaths as well and that was something she would never do. She gripped the railing and stared out at the stars. She had visited many of those places in her time and wished upon wish that she would be allowed to return to her duties one day. “This is an odd place to find the hostess.” Hahn’s voice was smooth but not intrusive. It became part of the night that she wrapped around her. 7

Viola Grace “I was embarrassed by causing the scuffle on the dance floor and needed a place to hide. I am guessing that I am not doing a great job.” She tried to put on a bright smile, but he saw through it. “Something has upset you.” She barked out a short laugh. “That is the most subtle way to put it.” He leaned close to her. “Is there anything I can do?” She closed her eyes for a moment. He smelled wonderful, sounded concerned and had a set of shoulders that might even expunge the memory of Arken heaving into her. “I am afraid not.” He chuckled and lifted her chin on his knuckles. “And yet, Shahs has given me full use of your person, no holds barred. What am I to think of that?” She seethed. “That he is a ravening lunatic who would like to see me jump off this balcony and end the awkwardness of us appearing together at these things.” “Surely the thought of time with me does not repulse you.” She had wounded his pride and quickly had to patch it. “It is not you. I simply despise being used as an appliance that he would lend to a neighbour in exchange for good will.” Hahn inclined his head. “I understand that you would feel that way. May I offer a compromise?” 8

Silver and Silence She blinked at him. “Yes?” He moved in close and whispered, “Come with me to see your men and I promise to help you gain their freedom.” Shock struck her so hard that she swayed and he had to support her with hands on her elbows. To any casual watcher, he was simply taking her into an embrace, but to her, his warmth was a lifeline and his words sweeter than those of any lover. She raised her lips to his and whispered, “And why should I believe anything that you suggest, this could be one of Arken’s traps.” He closed the kiss for a brief moment and then parted just far enough to reply, “Lieutenant Anders Argeel is my brother.” She quickly pressed her lips to his in a wild kiss, tangling her tongue with his and on a quick exploration, she found what she sought. Argeel was a Ventan. They marked their family insignias on the interiors of their teeth. Hahn was indeed Argeel’s brother. He was the older brother based on his position in the order of status carvings. He broke the kiss, but based on his tight grip holding her flush to him, it was not his first idea. “Will you come with me to my private shuttle?” She quirked her swollen lips and stroked her finger tips along his formal wear. “I suppose that seeing it is not out of the question. Will you stay in 9

Viola Grace our guest quarters?” She dug her nails into his shoulder slightly and bit her lip to give him all the clues she could manage. He seemed to catch on that they were being watched. “As enchanting an idea as that is, I prefer my own bed when I am studying.” She blinked. “What will you be studying?” “Every inch of you, my dear.” He set her down on her feet and held out his arm. Without a thought, she took the proffered arm and let him escort her out of the party, past the guards who had been warned to let them go and to the shuttle pads on the north of the compound. The click of her heels on the landing pad echoed eerily. She kept her arm loosely around his and when a scan ran over them she fought the urge to take a defensive posture. The beam emanated from over the doorway and when it had completed the sweep the door opened and the entry ramp extended. The security officers must have been warned to let them pass because no one stopped them from walking onto the shuttle. The moment the door sealed behind them, Stella turned to question Hahn about what he knew, but a hard strike from an unseen attacker made everything go dark.

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Silver and Silence **** Rendos Hahn caught Stella before she struck the ground and looked at his companion. “What the hell, Trethan?” “She might have tried to escape.” He sneered at the woman. “Whatever we thought was going on here, she isn’t what we think.” “You are gullible and being led by your emotions. If you are worried, take her to the med unit and scan her while I get us going.” Lifting the slight form of Captain Yivell was not difficult. She didn’t even moan as he carried her to the med unit and strapped her into the standing frame for a full-body scan. No sense having Trethan torture her for information if she was pregnant with Shahs’s baby. He hung onto the grips as they lifted off and watched the readings that the unit was putting out with a sick feeling in his gut. He patched the bleeding on her head, sealing the wound, and went to speak to his partner about what the med scanner was showing. Their grand plan was spiralling rapidly into a situation that he had never considered. “Treth, we have a problem” He held up the scanner pad with the data on it. Trethan was working to lose the followers, but 11

Viola Grace he lifted his head as Rendos sat in the nav seat. “What?” “She has been systematically tortured.” Their shuttle wavered alarmingly. “What? What the hell do you mean?” “She has residue of old bruising, sexual assaults, cracked bones and tissue damage I can’t even begin to describe. All damage occurred within the last six months.” Trethan closed his eyes. “Since they disappeared.” Rendos nodded. “Yes, since they disappeared.” “What does she say about it?” “Nothing, she is out cold. You gave her a concussion.” His words were contradicted by the blood-curdling scream that came from the med unit. Trethan gave him a grin. “It sounds like she is up. Better go and find her before she comes in here.” It was too late. Blood streaked her ivory hair and she had a blaster in her hand. She pressed it against Trethan’s head and said in a low, even voice. “Take me back. You have to take me back.” Rendos got to his feet and tried to calm her. “You don’t have to go back there. We know he was hurting you.” She snarled and kicked him back into his seat, 12

Silver and Silence one foot on the balance point of his chest while she kept the gun on Trethan. “Lives are at stake. You have to take me back.” Amazed at her strength and the pain that her heel was delivering to him as well as the arousal that rippled through him at the exposed length of creamy thigh, Rendos regretfully snapped his hand under her knee and held her immobile on his lap. “Now, Captain Yivell, tell me why lives are at stake.” She dragged in a deep breath. “I can’t.” He nodded. “If you can tell us why, we can tell you where.” She looked into his face, her huge blue eyes wide with shock. She bit her lip and took a deep breath and he watched every nuance on her face. He could see her grappling with confusion, deliberation and finally make a decision. “What do you know?” He smiled. “We know that my brother and the rest of your team are being held here on Dakora. We are on our way to the facility right now.” “You had better beat Shahs to the location. He swore to kill them the moment that I tried anything and your little stunt qualifies.” The pilot who must have been the guy who hit her gave her a look that bordered on respect. “Why was he keeping you alive?” 13

Viola Grace “Because he needs me to keep the detachment alive on paper and filing our rounds. He is putting as much distance between our little bunch and Deliotha as possible in the archives.” She bit her nail before she jerked her hand back to her lap. “Why did you two pick now?” **** Hahn sighed and she felt it everywhere they touched. “I have been trying to make my way into Shahs’ inner circle for months, but I had to get voted into the councillor position first. That happened three days ago and so, here I am.” The surly pilot shifted suddenly and they were headed for the forest edge of the mountain range. He skimmed along the tree line and the lines of concentration on his face showed that he was intent on his mission. “Why me and then them? Why not rescue them first?” She kept her tone low and even so as not to distract the pilot. He spoke to her anyway. “We thought you had something to do with their incarceration and I am not convinced that you didn’t.” Well, that put her in her place. “Fine, bring me to a tribunal the moment that this is over, but get my men free and reassembled first.” Hahn almost crushed her. “Reassembled?” 14

Silver and Silence “They have had their cognitive functions redirected through a computer system. I am hoping that you are prepared for that.” She bit her lip. All her clandestine research had told her what needed to be done, but she wasn’t sure she could manage it. “Why are they hooked to something so barbaric?” His voice had the same shivery effect on her as it had in the ballroom. “I needed proof of life. The moment that one of them died, I would stop cooperating.” Stella watched a low roof grow rapidly closer and in a sharp move that would make any pilot proud, they rocked up and back into a controlled landing. She was off Hahn’s lap with her blaster in hand and heading for the door before either of the men could move. Her men were in imminent danger and she was running out of time. Hahn and the pilot who gave his name as Trethan pushed past her and opened the door into the facility with the sharp tapping of an access code. The guards at the facility were struck with blasters on stun. When Stella and her companions made it into the holding area, they all stopped for a silent moment. Beyond her six men were row upon row of people in similar confinement. Nausea built as she realized that Shahs’ depravity reached further than 15

Viola Grace she knew. Trethan went to the control panel and tried to gauge the workings of the machines. “I can do this.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think about it. She settled down to work the codes until her fingers ached, but when she heard a groan, it was all worth it. One by one, the men and women who were wired into the computers came back to themselves. They sat up while Trethan and Hahn made rounds disentangling the prisoners from the computer. Private Fremmer was refusing to wake up. No matter which code she used, his responses were sluggish and locked into the virtual world. She left her post and went to his bedside, whispering in his ear. “Fremmer, get up. Get your ass out of bed. This is an order from your captain.” The monitor on the side of his bed showed that he was returning to his body and she smiled in triumph before she heard a blast and the monitor went dark. Stella whirled and glared as Shahs came through the door with a group of guards. With a flick of her finger, she changed the setting from stun to kill and let her blaster burn a hole through his sternum. He screamed and dropped to the ground, writhing for a few seconds before lying with his eyes wide open. His men laid down their weapons 16

Silver and Silence and waited for orders. “Captain, how did I get here and why are you wearing a dress?” Fremmer’s voice caused tears to prick her eyes, but in the next moment, she crumpled as the pain of a stun blast took her down. As she faded, Trethan stood over her and pronounced, “By the authority vested in me, I arrest you for treason and consorting with the enemy.” She would have flipped him off, but the darkness called. Coalition secure rooms were the same all over. Stella had no idea where she was. Hahn sitting at the foot of her bed was a pleasant addition to her prison. “I am glad you are among the living, Captain. I am here to debrief you.” She sat up, wincing at the pain in her limbs. “How long was I out?” “Six days. Once the Coalition was involved, they decided that sedating you until they were ready to proceed was the best option.” She nodded and swallowed. “What do you want to know?” “Start at the beginning. Deliotha.” She breathed in and started the story. He recorded her entire statement without asking additional questions. She glossed over the beatings 17

Viola Grace and other indignities that she suffered at Shahs’ hands. When she had concluded her statement, he nodded, kissed her on the cheek and left her alone. Three hours passed before she had word and it came out of the monitor in the corner of her room. She sipped at the coffee that had been brought to her with a meal and watched her sentencing in absentia. “While her circumstances were under investigation, it has been found that Captain Yivell has acted as a Coalition officer with care for her men and for innocents around her at all times. That said, the trauma that she endured has now rendered her unfit for service, so a pension package has been prepared and she will be issued an honourable discharge.” The councillor nodded and answered a few more questions, but Stella had heard what she needed to. A lifetime of service was at an end and now she had to think of something else to do. It wasn’t going to be easy. She had wanted to remain in Coalition service until she retired happily or blew up in a battle. This kind of behind-the-scenes sneaking was never something she had considered. She sighed and tried to think of all the skills that she could use in the private sector. All she could think of was self-defence instructor. Now, where 18

Silver and Silence could she find a place where she could operate a small business and teach women how to defend themselves when someone wasn’t holding their loved ones hostage? A knock on her door got her attention. “Come in.” Councillor Hahn came through the doorway with fabric draped over one arm. “Good afternoon, Stella Yivell. She winced when she realized that she would not be able to use her rank again. “Good afternoon, Councillor. I am guessing that it is time for me to get out of my Coalition accommodations?” He gave her a wry grin. “Something like that. Do you know where you will go?” She shrugged. “I don’t have a clue. I suppose I could use my stipend to see the worlds that I have missed. I have no idea what planet would accept me now.” “You have no family?” She shrugged. “I was raised in the Coalition. My family donated me to a priesthood when I was an infant.” “Abandoned then.” She grimaced. “Twice in one lifetime, who would have guessed?” “Would you accept a job offer on Benia?” His eyes were earnest. She was tempted. “Why would you? I put your 19

Viola Grace brother in danger.” “In the line of duty, but you kept him alive at a cost to yourself. I will never forget that.” She winced at the details that he had gotten from the reports. Even though she had skated over the gory bits, she had the feeling that he was aware of everything that had been done to her. “Benia was on my list of worlds to visit. If your offer is genuine, I will accept.” He laughed and handed her the armload of clothing. “There is a shuttle waiting. I will meet you there in a few days and let you know what your job will be.” “You have that long to make something up, but thank you.” She touched his arm and he quickly wrapped her in his arms. “This was real.” He didn’t give her additional explanation, but lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was as wild as she remembered. She leaned up into him and grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands. He leaned away from her, his chest rising and falling quickly under her palms. “I would like to table this discussion until I can go over the job with you. Your shuttle is waiting.” She was panting a little herself and quickly licked her lips, watching his pupils dilate and his jaw flex. “You knew I would say yes?” “I was really, really hoping.” He gave her 20

Silver and Silence another quick, searing kiss and then disentangled himself from her. With a long, lingering look, he exited her rooms and left her with her change of clothing. She tried to purge the silly grin off her lips, but it doggedly remained. The loose skirt and blouse that she wore to the shuttle bay fluttered around her in the electronically powered air currents. A raised arm called her over and she ran toward him the moment that she recognized Lieutenant Anders Argeel, Hahn’s brother. The familiar and friendly face was enough to bring tears to her eyes, a feat that not even Shahs’ most vicious tortures had been able to accomplish. “Why are you here, Argeel?” “Why, to ferry you wherever you wish, Captain Yivell.” He paused and grinned, “Actually, I am under strict orders to take you to Benia and install you in my brother’s home as his assistant, but the first sounded better.” “Captain no longer, call me Stella or Yivell.” She patted his arm as they headed into a gracefully built shuttle. He grimaced. “I can’t believe that you were relieved of duty like that.” She snorted. “I can, but it doesn’t make it easier.” They chatted companionably about 21

Viola Grace inconsequential matters while he got clearance and they started their journey. When silence fell, her mind wandered and she finally had to say what was on her mind. “I felt certain that they would charge me with treason.” “You can thank Fremmer for that. His final seconds were spent gathering all the data he could regarding the Deliotha project and everything that came after. The data is stuck in his head, but it enabled him to speak on your behalf as well as to Shahs’ guilt. Unfortunately, the videos that he pulled out of the system of you and Shahs were so disturbing that the Councillors deemed it impossible for you to be fit for duty.” She fought tears and nodded. “I was hoping that no one would find out about that.” “Why? You were paying a ransom for our safety. There is nothing for you to be ashamed of.” His tone was sincere and reminded her of his brother’s. “So, Councillor Hahn was determined to find you at all cost.” “He’s a good man and you should consider his offer.” She blinked. “I have gathered that and I am considering it. I just don’t have any idea what it would entail.” He had the most shocked expression on his face. “You don’t know what marriage entails?” 22

Silver and Silence Stella coughed and stared at him. “Marriage? Who mentioned marriage?” He blushed crimson. “Oops. Forget I said anything.” Snorting, she punched him in the arm. “Like that is going to happen. Now, it is going to be the only thing on my mind.” “We laid in a selection of desserts in the galley.” “You know me so well.” With a grin, she abandoned her post at the nav station and took off down the hall. If she was going to be dropped on a new world, at least she had someone standing by who understood her. Three days passed quickly and she used a portion of her settlement to get her a new wardrobe and shoes. The folk of Benia were friendly, cheerful and didn’t care what species she was. Their laid-back attitude was refreshing after the regimented life of the Coalition. When Councillor Hahn returned, Anders and Stella were at a local café and exchanging memories of assignments past. He wandered up to them and stared at them in shock. Stella chuckled. “Welcome back to Benia, Councillor Hahn. Congratulations on your successful rescue of your brother.” Anders got up and hugged his brother while 23

Viola Grace Stella sipped at her tea. “I see that you have made yourself at home, Stella.” Hahn snagged a chair and took a seat at their table. “I have. I have been in touch with a realtor and am looking at housing options for myself.” She raised her brows at Anders and dared him to speak. If Hahn wanted to play hard to get, she was going to make herself the hardest thing he ever chased. He cleared his throat. “I was wondering if you would consider remaining in my home.” Anders snickered and jumped. Apparently, Hahn had kicked him. “It is inappropriate for an unwed woman to live in the house of a man not her husband, brother, father or betrothed. I checked. I want to blend in here and make a life, not be a scandal.” “I know you have been through a lot, but I was wondering…Anders, stop laughing!” Stella sighed and put him out of his misery, standing and hauling him off by the hand. “Come on. I have something to discuss with you.” She waved at the housekeeper and the cook as she dragged their employer through his own home. She pulled him into the master bedroom and shoved him until his knees hit the back of his bed. She spoke as she calmly stripped in front of him. 24

Silver and Silence “Now, Hahn, you came to rescue your brother, tried to defend me against your companion and then against the arresting agents who would have charged me with treason and dumped me in a hole. You did all that and you didn’t know anything about me.” When she was naked except for the fading bruises left behind by Shahs, she went to work on his clothing. “If what was done to my body doesn’t repulse you, then I am happy to share it with you.” He grabbed her hands. “I abhor the actions, not you.” She grinned, tears pricking in her eyes. “Good, then can you help here, because I am losing my nerve.” He immediately threaded his fingers through her hair and he brought her lips to his in a kiss that made her feel safe, protected and desired beyond measure. He moved one hand to her back and brought her between his thighs so that her breasts were pressed to his chest. Her nipples scraped his skin and she sighed as his light touch continued to skim her back in a calming stroke. When he lifted his lips from hers, she smiled. “No running off this time.” He grinned. “No running off.” He stood, keeping her flat against him and flipped the covers back before settling her into the 25

Viola Grace bedding. She was wet, her channel slick and waiting as she watched him remove his trousers. She wanted this, wanted to prove she was still normal and that sex was for pleasure not pain. It was a lot of pressure to put on a first time, but she knew Hahn was up for the challenge. Looking him over, he was more than up. Their make-out session had him dripping precum, or perhaps it was just the way he looked at her, but suddenly, she was rushing up the slope of arousal and he was with her all the way. Instead of covering her, he lay between her thighs and parted the lips of her sex with his fingers while applying his tongue to her in the most delightful way. She panted, moaned and twisted against him, tugging at his hair, but it was no use, she climaxed in a rush of shivering and groans. He continued to lick at her until she relaxed against the sheets and then he slid two fingers into her while he lapped at her clit. Stella thought her body would have cooled, but it was only idling and he quickly brought her panting and to the edge of release again with his mouth and fingers. He pulled away from her and slid up her body, replacing his fingers with the blunt heat of his cock in a slow thrust that had her closing her eyes 26

Silver and Silence before she realized that she wanted to watch him moving above and within her. She held him tightly, sliding her arms under his and wrapping them around his back while he surged and retreated in an endless rhythm. She could feel him quivering as he held back his own release, so she reached between them and hastened her own with her index finger circling her clit until she arched and uttered a choked cry. He closed his eyes and shuddered immediately. His only purpose in waiting was for her pleasure and she knew it. His hips shoved into her hard and the jerk deep inside her let her know that his orgasm was just as powerful as her own. Hahn sighed and rested against her. She pressed a quick kiss to his neck. “Thank you.” Blearily, he raised his head. “I think that is my line.” “You made me feel beautiful, desirable and whole. For that I thank you, Hahn.” He blushed. “My name is Rendos. Please us it instead of my title.” She laughed. “Of course, Rendos. Anders told me, but I am stubborn and wanted to wait until invited.” He pressed his head to hers. “Thank you for honouring me with your first time.” 27

Viola Grace She blinked. In all the most important ways, he was correct. After her time with Shahs, she was starting over in every way that mattered. “Stella Yivell, will you marry me?” She tried to banish the tears that tried to appear. “With all of your charms, why would you want battered, old me?” He grinned. “Because in every way that matters, you are the woman for me. You are strong, brave, determined, intelligent, beautiful, sexy and are willing to put up with me.” He punctuated every compliment with a kiss to her neck, breasts or shoulders. She sighed and arched into his caresses. “I suppose that I am. Are you sure you are willing to take me on? I can be kind of bossy.” He laughed. “Images of you have haunted every letter that Anders has sent me over the last four years. He thought we were perfect for each other and I could not believe that a woman with your qualities actually existed. Thank you for proving me wrong.” She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair as he explored one breast and then the other. “He is lucky that I was relieved of duty, or I would have given him graveyard sentry duty for three weeks.” His words made her smile. “If you like, you can assign me to the graveyard shift. I am at my best in 28

Silver and Silence the evenings.” She groaned and arched against him. “At your best in the evenings but amazing in the afternoon. I may not survive to wed you.” He laughed. “You seem made of sturdy stuff. It is one of your most endearing qualities.” “What is?” “All this softness around a core of will and steel. Talk about sexy.” He had shifted lower and was trailing kisses across her belly. She was done talking about sexy. It was time to act and she had always been a woman of action.

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About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales. Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.