by Ella Maven
“Get some sleep and take care of your mate,” Miranda called over her shoulder.
“I will.”
As I heard their voices fade and leave the hut, I sighed, feeling better than I had in… a long time. Since I’d met Sax, threats had loomed over our heads, making it nearly impossible to relax.
Now I just needed him to wake up. To hold me. To kiss me and wrap me in those strong arms. I longed to see his smile and hear his laugh. I wanted to see him speed around on his bike with his best friend. I wanted him to be able to hug his brother. I wanted to start our new lives on this crazy planet.
Seventeen
Sax
Thin, small fingers brushed my forehead and there was a slight tugging on my scalp. “Oh shoot, sorry,” a female whispered. “Just trying to get the snags out of your hair. I know you don’t want to wake up with a rat’s nest.”
Not just any female. My female. My Val. But where were we? The last I remembered I was… dying.
I struggled to pry open my eyelids, but they were so heavy, and my lashes wouldn’t budge. I tried to flex my fingers and toes, but nothing moved. I didn’t have pain, but I didn’t feel connected to my body. What the fleck?
“Everyone is so excited to see you again,” Val was saying. “Daz visits every chance he gets, and I can tell he’s trying to stay strong for me and the rest of the clavas, but he’s worried, Sax.” Her voice shook, and she cleared her throat. “I’m worried too, but your wound is healing. Your body is responding to the medis. I know it is.” A small hand cupped my cheek, her thumb stroking my bottom lip. “Come back to me,” she murmured. Her hand slid down to my chest, and a light weight pressed down over my beating cora. Hair tickled my throat.
I wanted to. More than anything. Why wouldn’t my body work? I strained and focused, and with more effort than I would have liked, I opened my eyes. Above me was a familiar sight. The ceiling of Rokas’s hut. I was home. Somehow, we’d made it.
Val. Val got us here. But how? I knew my lioness was amazing, but this seemed nearly impossible.
She didn’t know I was conscious. Her head rested on my chest with her blonde hair splayed all around us like golden thread.
I wanted to touch her. I focused on moving just my fingers, and when my thumb twitched, I exhaled with relief.
Val’s body tensed, and then she slowly raised her head, staring down at my chest. “Did you just…” She lifted her gaze until her eyes met mine. Her mouth dropped open, and she jolted to her knees. “Sax!” she cried, leaning over me so her hair formed a curtain around our faces. “Can you hear me? Are you in pain?”
I tried to talk, but the words were nothing but clicks in my throat.
She reached over me, grabbed something, and held a cup to my lips. With a hand under my neck, she inclined my head so I could drink. I swallowed a few sips of qua, relishing the liquid on my parched tongue. “Val.” God, even that one word was like a dagger slicing my throat.
My pretty female’s eyes glistened. “Don’t try to talk too much,” she said. “Do you know where you are?”
“Home,” I rasped. “Safe.”
A beautiful smile lit up her face. “Yeah, Sax. We’re home. And we’re safe.”
I lifted a hand, finally gaining control of my limbs, and sifted it through her hair before brushing my fingers across her lips. “I thought I was dying.”
“You were,” she said. “But Rokas got to you in time.” A sob left her lips as her shoulders shook. “You came back to me.”
“I’ll always come back to you, lioness,” I said.
She pressed her lips to mine, heat flooding my weakened muscles with much-needed blood. I was home.
Once I woke up, nothing could hold me back. Soon I was sitting up, and then walking around the room as Val and Rokas watched me nervously. I felt strong already, and I couldn’t wait to exercise. I’d been passed out on Rokas’s cot for three rotations. Val explained to me what had happened. I’d been furious at the mere thought of her facing off against the Kulks. I couldn’t imagine how terrified she must have been. But when she spoke of Daz and the Night Kings flying into battle, I wished I could have seen the magnificence of that.
A commotion from the front of Rokas’s hut caught our attention before a tiny body, all limbs and long brown hair flew into my arms. “Sax!” Fra-kee sobbed against my chest. “You’re okay. Oh God, you’re okay.” She pulled back, tear-streaked face smiling up at me before she frowned, red-faced, and slugged me in the biceps. “Don’t you ever sacrifice yourself like that again. Don’t you ever scare us by getting injected with gross Uldani poison. And never, ever, ever pass out on us for days where we’re unsure you’ll ever wake up.” Her eyes fired at me. “That was… rude! You big jerk!”
Then she collapsed against me into sobs again. I wrapped my arms around her as her little fists pounded me.
“I tried to keep her away longer to give you time,” Daz’s deep voice filled the room, and I glanced up to see my brother leaning in the doorway, arms crossed over his massive chest. “She snuck out and ran here because she doesn’t listen to her mate.” With a pointed look, he directed the last words at Fra-kee, who wiped her runny nose and glared at him over her shoulder.
“Your mate wanted to see your brother, who put his life on the line for both of us,” she hissed back at him.
Daz’s expression melted as he stepped toward me. “Brother,” he said, his voice a low rumble from his chest. That one word held so much.
“Brother,” I answered back with a nod. Fra-kee left my arms, and Daz gripped me at the back of my neck, his fingers digging in with a slight tremble before he brought our foreheads together. I laid my hand on the back of his neck and closed my eyes.
He didn’t speak, and neither did I. I basked in the presence of my big brother, a warrior I’d looked up to my whole life. “I’m proud of you,” he said. I opened my eyes to see his were a whirling purple and black. “I didn’t—” His throat worked. “I didn’t think I’d see you again. Not only did you escape the Uldani, you retrieved their research for us to study, and Fatas blessed you with a courageous mate.”
He didn’t let go of my neck, but he pulled back to be able glance between me and my mate. “You should have seen her facing off against the Kulks before we showed up. I heard her. She claimed you, and no way were the Kulks taking her away from you. Magnificent.”
I met Val’s gaze head-on. She no longer blushed or ducked her head when receiving praise. This time, she smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed. Fra-kee grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Val smiled at her, and the two females nearly glowed with happiness.
I squeezed Daz’s neck, so flecking happy to be safe and back home. “I learned from the best, big brother.”
Daz smiled and huffed a laugh. “I don’t know. I think I’ve been hard on you in the past for not taking things seriously. I’ve chastised you for driving your bike recklessly, but Val had something to say about how your skills saved you in a rather exciting vehicle transport battle.”
I nearly leapt with excitement. “Did she tell you about my solar gun aim? I took down a vehicle! Two shots!”
Daz frowned, but I saw the amusement in his eyes. “She might have mentioned it, but that was a big target, so I don’t know that deserves praise…”
I shoved with him a laugh. “Oh, shut up, you fleck.” I jabbed a thumb at my chest. “I’m doing nothing but practicing now. Before you know it, I’ll be a better shot than you.”
Daz’s eyes glittered. “Bring it on.”
I looped an arm around Val and tucked her into my side, so flecking proud of my mate. My cora felt like it would burst with happiness. I couldn’t wait to get out of this hut and see Xavy and Nero. Pick on Hap. Get a few grunts from Ward and Gar. “Thanks for taking care of my lioness while I was recovering,” I said.
Daz nodded. “She’s a great mate for you. I think she’ll keep you grounded, and you need that a little, huh?”
I pressed a kiss to her temple. “She’
ll keep me in line. You’re out of a job now.”
Daz raised a brow at Fra-kee. “I think I have plenty of work to keep me busy.”
“Hey,” she protested, but her eyes shone with adoration for her mate.
Daz reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar red band. A Night Kings tag. I remembered vividly when the Uldani had ripped mine from my arm and spat on it. I knew I’d never see it again, which had hurt worse than the damn shock rods. Our clavas tag was sacred. We wore our scarred, beaten up bands with pride.
Daz didn’t wait for me to take it from him. He grabbed my arm and wrapped the band around my biceps. Something in my soul settled. I hadn’t realized how naked I’d felt without my tag until I once again bore the crown symbol stamped into metal.
“I wish we could have retrieved your old one, but I’m sure you’ll dirty this up in no time.” He patted my shoulder and stepped back.
I was unable to talk for a moment, not until Val’s hand clenched mine, and her pretty smile beamed up at me. “Red’s your color,” she murmured, running her fingers along the tag.
“Thank you, brother,” I said around a lump in my throat. “Proud to wear the Night Kings’ tag again. The stamp was always on my cora when it wasn’t on my arm.”
Daz cleared his throat, and I knew that was enough emotion for both of us for the rotation. “You up for a walk in the sun?” he said. “Your poor mate has been stuck by your lazy side since she got here.” Daz lightly slapped my face, and I batted his hand away with a growl. “She needs a tour. And the males are eager to see you.”
Fra-kee clapped. “A tour!” She reached for Val’s hand and squeezed. “It’s not so bad. Kind of a medieval-castle-slash-frat vibe. But like, a frat where the guys can cook. And sew. And take care of themselves. It’s truly impressive, to be honest.”
I didn’t know what those words meant, but they made Val laugh.
She gazed up at me, her hand resting protectively over my pounding core, her smile so big that her eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m ready for the tour. Let’s go greet your fans.”
Val
The Night Kings clavas was massive, and it seemed like everyone had a job. Drixonians milled about, many filling the massive garage-type structure where they stored all the bikes. There were a series of huts, which Sax explained belonged to Daz, him, and several of the higher-ranking males in the clavas. The rest lived in a dorm-type structure. The compound itself was built on a pointed cliff and only accessible from the front. Walls extended from one edge of the cliff to the other with the only entrance guarded by Drixonians.
Males from all over rushed to greet us when they saw Sax was on his feet. Xavy nearly bounced, his excitement infectious and youthful. The two of them did that neck-grip-forehead-touch-thing that I learned was a customary greeting for the Drixonian warriors. That greeting then dissolved into a playful tussle that kicked up green dirt and resulted in Daz cuffing Xavy on the back of the head and telling him to go find a job to do.
Seeing Sax with his friends and a community who cared about him only solidified what I already knew. Sax was amazing. A good man. He kept his arm around me the whole time as he laughed with his friends and rolled his eyes at his overprotective brother. Daz followed us with a happy Frankie at his side as we walked the compound. At first, I thought Daz wanted to watch for Sax’s health, but I soon realized he simply didn’t want to leave his brother’s side. Every time a male greeted Sax, Daz’s chest puffed out more and more, his pride for his brother evident.
It warmed my heart.
Nero emerged from a hut, rubbing his neck. His face lit up when he caught sight of Sax. “I heard you were up and about. Had us worried there.”
“Ah, you shouldn’t have been worried about me,” Sax said with a grin.
“Your mate gave Daz the chip you stole. I’ve been working on decrypting it. It’s a bitch, but we’ll get to their research soon. It’s invaluable. I can’t believe you managed to escape and steal from them.” He clapped Sax on the shoulder. “Of course, if anyone was going to do that, it would have been you.”
Sax shrugged, but I knew the praise pleased him. The panther in his aura preened.
A large Drixonian strode toward us, and I recognized him as the one with scars and a broken horn. His eyes were all black, and his lips were thinned. He greeted Sax quickly, murmuring a few words. I learned his name was Gar, and he gave me a quick nod before turning to Daz. “Drexel, I’d like to discuss the plans for the search party for Ward.”
Daz’s casual posture immediately shifted as his back straightened and his shoulders tensed. “Are you ready to leave soon?”
Gar’s fists tightened, the only physical reaction he gave away. His face remained stony. “Yes, but…” He glanced at Frankie and me before he swallowed. “I’d like to speak to you alone.”
“Where’s Ward?” Sax frowned.
Daz’s eyes flicked briefly to his brother. “When the females first arrived on the planet, one ran away, and Ward chased her. She was taken by a Rizars pack, and he had been tracking them the last we heard.”
“Fleck,” Sax muttered.
“Daz, we should speak in private.” Gar shifted his weight.
Daz nodded and turned to his mate.
She squeezed his biceps. “I know, you want me to make myself scarce. Will do.” She raised pleading eyes at Gar, which surprised me because the male was downright scary. “I hope Ward and his woman are okay. Bring them home.” After giving me a quick hug, she strode off in the direction of one of the huts.
Daz and Gar walked away, their heads close together as they talked. “Do you want to follow them?” I asked Sax.
He watched them carefully before shaking his head. “Nah, it’s okay. Daz will fill me in later.” He gripped my hand and we continued the small tour on our own until we reached the back of the compound where the land abruptly came to an end.
When Sax led me to the edge, I gasped. We stood on a cliff, and, as far as I could see stretched a green sea. Waves hit the rocks below, splashing into swirls of white and seafoam.
“An ocean,” I whispered.
“We call it the freshas. But I like your word ocean.” He grinned at me.
I peered below. “Do you sail? Have you ever traveled on the freshas?”
“We have small boats we use for emergencies.” He pointed to a pulley system. I saw a few canoe-like vessels braced against the side of the cliff, ready to be lowered.
“We are in a good defense position here,” he said. “But we have to be prepared in case of a siege.”
That sounded scary, and I decided not to think about it. “This is beautiful.” The air smelled slightly sweet and the humidity coated my skin. The breeze picked up, and my hair lashed my face. I turned to see Sax standing beside me, tall and proud, his chest out. He barely limped, and I knew it was only a matter of time before all evidence of what he’d gone through was gone. But we’d remember. Both of us. We were bound by our experience, mutual respect, and love.
Sax reached for me, tugging me into his arms, and I went willingly, so happy to be in his embrace again. I’d thought I’d never feel the weight of his arms around me, cradling me.
“I remember you said something right before I passed out,” he said. “I believe you used the word love. We don’t have that in our culture, but Daz explained it to me when we were in the Uldani prison.”
“I meant it,” I watched avidly as his lips twisted into a self-satisfied smirk.
“Of course, you do. I’m completely lovable.”
I laughed. “Oh, I see someone’s back to his old self.”
He suddenly dropped to his knees, and his hair waved in the wind like a shiny black flag. “I love you, too, my lioness. There were times in the Uldani prison that I despaired. I wondered if I made the right choice to stay alive, to remain there while my brother and his mate survived. And then you showed up. I knew you were my purpose. My brave lioness. My healer.”
“I didn’t heal—�
�
“Rokas told me that the tourniquets surely saved my life. You did that. You stood up to the Uldani and pulled me from the river, and you stood up to the Kulks.” His eyes narrowed. “Although if I ever hear about you threatening to take your own life again, I’ll tie you to my bed.”
I smiled. “I can accept that deal. No more sacrifices.” I inhaled, loving the scent of the freshas and Sax and the lingering smoke from a campfire. “We get to be happy now. We earned this.”
He kissed my hands and rose to his feet. “We did. Now let’s go to my hut and make the rest of the males jealous while I lick you until you scream.”
Memories of his wicked tongue slammed into me, and I squirmed. He grinned devilishly, like he knew what I was thinking. Wait, he did know. Stupid auras.
“You should probably rest. We did a lot of walking— Oomph!” I was airborne, carried over Sax’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “Sax, put me down!” I hit my fist on his back, which was about as effectual as a flyswatter.
Drixonians watched us as we cut through a crowd on the way toward the huts. Many laughed. I saw Tab giggle and wave. I shot her the finger, which caused her to double over with laughter.
“Nope, I earned my female’s pleasure cries. And I’ll get them.” He dropped me in front of a hut before pushing the door open and then shoving me inside. He bent down and invaded my mouth, seeking entrance. I melted into his arms. “It’s time to make my lioness purr.”
I did purr. And touch. And scream.
Later, as Sax and I fell asleep in each other’s arms, sated and sweaty, I vowed to always be his brave lioness. To always stick up for myself. And to never turn down a Drixonian-induced orgasm.
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