“Maybe Jack’s present will have some use after all,” Josselyn mused. “If Violette comes, it might be the only way of convincing her that what happened was just.”
If Josselyn didn’t think her husband had talents, seeing Captain Violette waiting for her outside the securities building would have made her a true believer. Steely green eyes, eerily reminding her of Jack, pierced her. Josselyn had been sick on Violette’s ship, but now she could see the family resemblance in the woman. Violette had their mother’s cheekbones and chin, though her demeanor and facial expressions were all Jack.
“I’m going to her.” Josselyn clutched the black bag. “I don’t want to spend our life together looking over my shoulder, waiting for her to run me through.”
Violette’s eyes narrowed as Josselyn approached and it was clear by the woman’s expression that she didn’t expect Josselyn to be so forward. The captain’s gaze shifted around the crowded street before settling over Josselyn’s shoulder. Evan would not have left them alone and assuredly followed behind.
“You’re braver than I thought,” Violette said. “Or stupider.”
“I won’t speak ill of your father to you, but the man you knew is not the Jack I did.” Josselyn stopped, keeping distance between them, happy to have the crowd around and hoping that would be enough to keep Violette from attacking. She wasn’t worried about anything the woman would do to her, but she would hate to see her sister hurt.
“I think I knew him much better than you.” Violette set her jaw, her eyes narrowing. There was so much anger and hate inside her.
“Before your mother—” Josselyn began.
“My mother died when I was born.”
“Before she married Jack, she was my mother.” Josselyn didn’t move, didn’t take her eyes off her sister’s.
“Is that what this is? Mommy left you and so you sought revenge on the man who won her heart?” Violette snorted.
Josselyn didn’t want to be the one to tell the woman that their mother could never love Jack or that she married him out of depression and desperation. No child should have to hear they were conceived out of fear and convenience.
Josselyn reached into the black bag and found the holo-box. “You are my sister and I don’t wish you any harm. Long ago, when your father was a young man, he knew me and was protected by my father, Lord Craven. We grew up together in my castle home on Florencia’s fifth moon. Jack betrayed us and was part of the invasion that took our homes, our lives and imprisoned me in stone. I’m sure your father was not the same man, but he knew he had to pay for his past sins. Because of him, thousands of our people died, your mother’s people.”
“My father was a humanitarian. Because of him millions lived,” Violette spat. “My mother was a lady, a fine lady he saved. I did not interfere before because I promised him I wouldn’t, but that promise is fulfilled and I will not stop until you pay for what you have done.”
“I didn’t expect you to believe me, but before you ruin your life chasing revenge and trying to get to me, watch this.” Josselyn tossed the holo-box at her sister. “Perhaps your father’s words will convince you to find a better path.”
Josselyn backed away, keeping her eyes on Violette’s. A hand slipped onto her arm and she instinctively knew it was Evan. As they walked cautiously away, Josselyn glanced over her shoulder. The uncertainty of the future didn’t frighten her. She had Evan and the rest of the crew as her new family and she had the knowledge of what was to come after death. Violette had slipped into the crowd and disappeared. Lochlann and Jackson materialized a second later. Jackson nodded at her and they moved to follow Violette.
“Will she come for me?” Josselyn asked.
“It’s hard to tell. There’s too much anger and confusion. But she doesn’t strike me as an impatient woman. She will not act rashly and she will not act today.” He spoke with such certainty that she didn’t question him. “Let’s find that hotel. I can’t wait to get you alone and out of that impossible shirt.”
“Have I told you how much I love you today, husband?” she asked, resting her head against his shoulder.
“No, but I felt it the second I woke up.” Evan held her close as they walked down the glittering street. “And I hope to feel it every day of our long lives together.”
“Long?” Josselyn arched a brow.
“Mm, very long.” Evan laughed.
“And what did you see in this long life?”
“Happiness, starshine, complete and utter happiness.” Evan swung her around, meeting his mouth to hers.
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Rick slipped into his chair at the gaming table in the commons. “So, which element is she? Earth because of the prison statue she was trapped in like stone?”
“I thought you didn’t care,” Lochlann answered, stealing a piece of fruit off Viktor’s trencher of food.
“Hey,” Viktor protested, slapping at him. “Get your own.”
“I don’t, just curious,” Rick said, reaching to grab his own piece while Viktor was distracted.
“I think she’s water because we found her on and ice planet,” Jackson said.
“Air,” Viktor said, “because she died and became a spirit.”
“All I know is she’s not metal. I’m metal.” Rick hit his chest. “Hard as steel.”
Coming around the corner, Evan grinned. “I don’t know what element she is. All I know is that she’s mine.”
“Eh!” Viktor threw a piece of sliced fruit at Evan’s head. “Out of here! This party is for bachelors.”
“That doesn’t help the rest of them.” Rick chuckled.
“Them?” Jackson asked. “The last time I checked, you were as cursed as the rest of us.”
“Not worried,” Rick said. “I already told you, I’m metal and so will my soul mate be, just as soon as I steal her pleasure droid body from the nearest brothel.”
“I hope she electrocutes your bal—” Lochlann began.
“Oh, not right!” Rick jumped slightly in his seat. “Don’t pout because you’re jealous of me.”
“Seriously, Ev,” Viktor said. “Which element do you think she is?”
“Sorry, space cadets,” Evan popped the fruit Viktor had thrown at him into his mouth. “I really don’t know. Guess you’ll have to figure that one out for yourselves.”
The End
* * *
The Series Continues:
His Fire Maiden
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His Fire Maiden
The Series Continues
His Fire Maiden
Dev has found a home with a misfit outlaw band of space pirates and he will do anything to protect his makeshift family. He knows he will never be accepted into human society. The demonic race of his birth shuns him and the humans fear him. So when the woman of his dreams comes gunning for his crew, the fiery maiden leaves him no choice but to show just how naughty his demon can be.
His Fire Maiden
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Prologue Excerpt
Rifflen Federation Military Base, Desert Planet of Rifflen, V Quadrant
Violette Craven Stephans stared as the blood trailed down her forearm over her hand, only to watch as it drip steadily from her fingertips onto the hard tile floor by her feet. For a long moment the deliberate cut didn’t even hurt, but then a deep pain radiated over her, and she cried out as she moved to pull the limb close to her body in a protective gesture.
“This is a blood oath, Violette, between us.” Her father grabbed her wrist and shook it hard, forcing her eyes to meet his steely green ones. His fingers slipped in her blood as he held too tight. “I need you to remember this moment. I need you to remember what I tell you. And I need you never to speak of it to anyone.”
Violette was still too stunned by the fact that her father had actually cut her to give him a quick answer. In all of her eight years, she had never seen her father angry with her, let alone violent enough t
o do her harm. What made it all the more puzzling is that she hadn’t been doing anything wrong—at least, she didn’t think she had been. It wasn’t like the time she had burrowed a tiny hole in the military base’s transparent exterior wall because she wanted some sand from outside. The entire military structure was located beneath the moving white dunes of Rifflen’s sandy surface. That one hole caused a pressure crack that could have caved in and buried the four hundred and sixteen residents of the base. For that she’d been stuck in room seclusion for a mere two days.
“Your blood is mine, and mine is yours,” he continued. “Do you understand? If you do not honor your word, nothing in your life will matter for you will have forsaken your blood. Do you understand me? Blood is everything.”
Her father, General Jack Stephans, was an important man—not just because he was her father, a general in the Federation Military, and the sole authority on the Rifflen base, but because he was a humanitarian and an alienitarian. He dedicated much of his life to promoting equality and fairness between alien races.
“The universes are a big place,” he would tell people. “Large enough to hold all species. Humanoids are no better than a Kintok, or a Torg, or a…”
“Do you understand?” he repeated, louder than before, shaking her from her scattered thoughts. The smell of liquor was thick on his breath.
She looked from his eyes to her blood and then back again, trying to reconcile what she knew with what had just happened. Frightened, she nodded. The fear she felt of him at that moment outweighed the physical pain caused by his thin blade. Her fingers tingled with numbness. In truth, she didn’t understand. “I only wanted to watch the new holo-box. It didn’t say it was military access only. It didn’t need a code to view it. I thought it would be one of your species profiles or an award invitation. You always let me see them.”
The holo-box was a standard issue Federation communication device, initially used to send encoded memos and official orders. Now, they were utilized by the military for all sorts of formal letters, when more than a voice was needed. Private messages were always encrypted so that the wrong person couldn’t watch them.
Instead of an award, the holographic recording had shown the small image of her father, standing in his shiny white uniform on the round disc on top of the box. It appeared as if it had been recorded that very morning. He’d been talking about some strange things too, things that didn’t make any sense to her adolescent brain.
“Josselyn, I’m glad you are well,” the recording had said. “It’s what I’ve hoped for these last, long years. By this time and because you are still alive after the term of your imprisonment has ended, we have probably spoken. Knowing the temperament of your family, we have not spoken kindly. So much has happened and changed since that day long ago, and I have to force myself to remember that you don’t know the good I’ve tried to do. All you know is my sins. I cannot take back that which was done, but I can give you a new life. With these papers, you will never have to explain your age or your past. As my daughter, a general’s daughter, you will have the freedom to pass by Federation ports unhampered. I cannot leave the life I have chosen. The Federation has granted me the home, which I so longed to be a part of in those years you knew me as a reward for my services. I know it is not the land it once was, but all it is, I give to you.”
Her father looked at his desk and frowned. His grip on her arm loosened, and she pulled her wrist free. She took a slow step back, careful not to make too many sudden movements. Her eyes darted to the thick oak door of her father’s private office. The wood seemed out of place in the metal construct of the military base. Carved patterns bespoke of craftsmanship and time, not portability and ease of assembly. A barren fireplace graced one wall, surrounded by emblems and even a banner with the Craven family crest. Craven had been her mother’s title and name, a title her father had taken when they married, a title that would be passed on to her—the only child of the couple. Her mother had died soon after she was born. All Violette had were the memories and descriptions her father had given her. That title was her gift from her mother. The name, a few holographic images, a notion, and a family crest—that was Violette’s mother’s legacy. How could her father think to give any Craven land to this Josselyn woman?
Violette’s legs trembled, as she was unsure what to make of her father’s expression. His shortly cropped black-gray hair and hard green eyes appeared both menacing and familiar. He wore his white, long tunic uniform, material that gleamed as it reflected the soft orange firelight. A thin brown stripe ran down the sides of his legs and arms, signifying his rank. Her clothing mimicked his in style though the loose pants and tunic were blue and cut with shorter sleeves.
“Who is Josselyn? Why did you call her your daughter?” Her eyes filled with tears. Violette didn’t have siblings. “I don’t understand. Why would you give her your land? I’m your daughter. Me! My mother died after giving birth to me. You said—”
“There are things you cannot understand,” he whispered. “Things you cannot comprehend. The land I spoke of does not belong to you. You will never see it.” Then louder, his eyes clearing as he found her inching away from him in fear, he added, “You must promise me you will not say a word about what you have seen, and promise that you will not interfere in this matter because—”
“Who is she?” Violette demanded, dying to discover the answer. She had never seen his eyes so cold.
“There are things you don’t understand, Violette!” Then, softening his demeanor, as if the gesture took great effort on his part, he continued, “You are my daughter. My blood daughter. As my heir, you will be well taken care of. The land I speak of is not for you. You would not want it. All that you see here is yours, including what is in my safe. Always remember that this base operates on the old code, and you will not be questioned, or stopped from taking what is yours. You will always be provided for. I have seen to it.”
“I remember the old code,” she said softly. “I won’t forget.”
“Good girl.” He gave her a small nod. “That is why this oath is important because I know you will not be able to break your word to me. Someday, a woman named Josselyn might attempt to find me. She’s my history, my personal ghost, and she’s a furious one. You must not get in her way. Whatever she comes to do, you must promise me you will not try to stop her. What will come is what must be, for events were put into motion long before you were born.”
Her father rolled the sleeve of his shiny, pristine uniform and reached for his knife, holding it gingerly in his palm.
“What else did the holo-box say? You didn’t let it finish,” she interrupted what he was doing. She pulled her bleeding arm closer to her stomach. The blood wet her shirt, but she didn’t care.
His eyes moved briefly to where the holo-box sat on his desk next to a stack of ID chips, intergalactic maps, and official travel papers. When he again looked at her, he’d banished the anger from his grave expression. “Promise me that when Josselyn comes, you will not interfere. Someday you will be a great captain, heir to my fortune and to my position on this base should you choose that path. But, blood is thicker than military ranking. Promise me, when Josselyn comes, you will obey my wishes and not lift a finger to stop what she chooses to do. You will let events play out as they are meant to regardless of the cost.”
“I don’t understand,” Violette protested, puzzled. Her father lifted his knife and sliced through his arm. Without giving her a choice, he lunged forward and grabbed her, placing her cut to his to bind the wounds together. Their blood mingled on her skin, and she felt dizzy. The acrid odor seemed all at once overwhelming and comforting.
“Your blood has made the oath for you. The scar you are left with will remind you of the promise, but I would have you say the words. Say you promise. You will not ask about Josselyn again. You will not speak of my history unless I speak of her first. And, when the time comes, if I ask you to do something, to help her, you will do what I say without question
and without hesitance. Do you understand me? Say you promise.”
“I promise.” Violette nodded, and her father released her arm.
“Good girl. Good.” He suddenly seemed despondent. The general stood for a long moment, staring at his wound. “I am sorry you looked at the box, Violette, thus making this necessary. I wished for you never to have known.”
She backed away from him, wanting nothing more than to run to the furthest corner of the military base. There was no escaping the enclosed building beneath the moving white sands, but she knew every secret hiding spot, every tight corner.
Her father turned from her and lifted a decanter to pour himself a drink. “Before you go to your virtual flying lesson see the medic and have your cut attended to, but leave the scar. I will not have you forgetting your promise.”
His Fire Maiden
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