by Hope Hart
“I’ll see her tomorrow.”
He looks at me for a long moment, something like disappointment in his eyes. I’m not fooled. Varian cares about himself and his mate. He will take any opportunity to manipulate me if Harlow will reward him with a smile.
He nods and leaves, and it takes every ounce of my self-control to not destroy my lab in rage.
Later that day, Eve had visited, sent by Varian on some nonsense errand. Even now he’s still attempting to control my life.
Daliz’s face flashes through my mind, her eyes laughing at me. I steel myself, sinking into the reminder. Play by Varian’s rules for now. Do as he says, go on his missions, with one goal in mind.
I will bring my mate back.
Chapter Two
Eve
I can feel Korva’s eyes on me, even as I’m dancing with Sam, my good friend. I can tell from the look in Sam’s eyes that he wants more from me, and I’m on the fence, needing the feel of a man’s hands on me, even as I know that I can’t give Sam what he wants, and he can’t give me what I need.
He’s cute and sweet, an engineer who managed to get a job on Arcavia. He looks at me like I’m the moon and all the stars, and that look tells me that climbing into bed with him would be a bad idea.
Korva looks at me like he finds my clothes offensive and he’d like to rip them off with his claws.
I don’t even know why he’s here, and I grit my teeth in annoyance, even as I nod my head as Sam tells me a joke that I’d need several more degrees in order to understand.
Korva was probably bribed into coming to Harlow’s wedding. Everyone knows that Varian has to convince him to do anything remotely close to socializing.
I know he likes Harlow though. She’d thrown her arms around him after the ceremony, and his hard expression had softened slightly, his lips almost curling into a smile.
He’s never looked at me that way. All I get are scowls and narrowed eyes, which occasionally heat enough to tell me that he’s still a male, even if he’s been celibate for centuries now.
Centuries.
That’s what happens when your mate is killed and you go crazy. Korva communicates in grunts and glares, and everyone gives him a wide berth. I must be crazy though, cause in my weakest moments, I fantasize about him putting his hands all over me.
“Eve?”
I return my attention to this moment, blocking out Korva, who’s holding up the wall while everyone else dances, drinks, and actually socializes.
“Mmhmm?”
“Why do they call you Small?”
I narrow my eyes, and Sam’s widen.
“Wow, uh you’re looking a little vicious there.”
I groan as my alarm goes off, and I push it off the table. I have a meeting or I’d continue sleeping, still wiped from my healing yesterday. I check the time. Nineteen hours of sleep. Usually, I’m lucky if I get two or three.
I flip onto my back and shove my hair off my face. Why is Korva haunting my dreams?
The wedding was almost a year ago. And what I remember the most isn’t Harlow and her dress, taking shots with my friends, or slow dancing with Sam.
I remember Korva staring at me like he was trying to figure out what made me tick, even as everyone insisted on using my new nickname.
I throw back the covers and use my annoyance to fuel my trip to the shower. I choose the Arcav setting, which is quicker, although it means I won’t be relaxing under streams of water.
When I finally made it onto Harlow’s guard, we had a ceremony to introduce us to both Arcav and Humans. Thankfully, we were rewarded with copious amounts of alcohol at the party after the ceremony. Unfortunately, that party almost ended in death when Cheryl got hold of a grenade and nearly took us all out. I’d been sneaking around her, looking for my chance to take her down, when a giant hand had clamped around my waist and a mountain-sized male had shoved me behind him, wedging me against the wall.
When Varian tackled Cheryl, Korva threw me on the ground, covering me with his body, even as the other guards descended on the bomb and arrested Cheryl.
It was my night. The one I’d worked so hard for. Instead of showcasing my competence and proving that the first female guard had her shit together, I was left struggling out from underneath Korva’s huge body. When I tried to explain that I was on the guard and I didn’t need any Arcav to pull the caveman routine, he’d simply frowned, scanning his eyes up and down my body.
“No,” he’d declared. “Small.”
And that’s how the worst possible nickname was born.
I’ve mostly gotten used to it now. It still makes me grind my teeth, but the name has stuck. What I haven’t accepted, is the humiliation I felt when I was unable to do my job because I was trapped under a giant Arcav.
I grind my teeth as I work my damp hair into a braid and pull on jeans and a sweater. The last thing I needed was to start my new career with public embarrassment. And yet not only did I fail to successfully avoid Korva, but I managed to—
“Eve, you there?”
“Yeah.”
At least Nathan has finally learned to knock. At one point, he walked in on me wearing nothing but a towel— wrapped around my hair while I walked around bare-ass naked.
I’d internally cringed in awkwardness, even as I stared at him, raised an eyebrow, and watched him almost fall over himself as he backed out of the door spluttering apologies.
Then I’d flushed in embarrassment, buried my face in my hands and groaned. I knew better than to let Nathan see any signs of weakness. Plus, any awkwardness on my part would’ve made it an even bigger deal.
He’s obviously learned his lesson though, because he waits patiently outside the door.
“You can come in.”
I sit on the end of my bed, the weird gel stuff molding to my butt. I nod toward my boots and Nathan hands them to me, pacing my room while I put them on.
Nathan’s like a caged tiger. I get it. We’ve been on this ship for days now, and we’re all desperate for fresh air. Right before the Arcav invaded, I’d watched a documentary about space travel to Mars. If everything went right, and humans could eventually make the trip happen, they’d have to spend a whole year traveling before they even arrived.
We’re in a state-of-the-art Arcav ship and our trip is only a couple of weeks. But neither of us are dealing with it well.
I work out, train, and fight. Nathan does the same, but also paces night and day, almost never still. Blake handles it better— he seems to take most things in his stride. Rob acts like he’s on vacation, drinking with the Arcav or hanging out in the control center and questioning them relentlessly about space travel.
“Ready?”
I nod and we head to the meeting room. Nathan looks like a surfer, with messy dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and he talks with a slow, Southern drawl. If you’re dumb enough to take him at face value, or if you miss the calculation in those eyes, you’ll pay for it. I underestimated him during our first fight and nearly lost my teeth.
This ship isn’t nearly as big as the one we took from Earth to Arcavia the first time. That one could carry several hundred thousand humans and Arcav. This one could take a few thousand, but there are just a few hundred on it this time— mostly Arcav males who are collecting their mates, or humans taking the opportunity to take a trip home.
It’s still fully stocked though, with meeting rooms, plenty of bedrooms, dining halls, gyms, and even a cinema.
Vazta is already seated when we arrive, and I take a seat next to him while we watch the others file in. Vazta is Methi’s brother, and Varian was an asshole for sending him on this trip when he’d rather be looking for Methi. I don’t know what Varian was thinking, but maybe he’s hoping that Methi will be back home and safe by the time Vazta returns.
Vazta is the only Arcav member of the Queen’s Guard with us on this mission. Varian felt it was more important to send human representation, but we’ll still have Arcav backup when we hit the ground.
My stomach clenches at the thought.
Korva walks in and takes a seat and I studiously ignore him.
What the hell is he even doing here?
Blake sits down across from me and raises an eyebrow, likely in reference to Korva. I coolly raise one back and he grins. Idiot. He clears his throat and murmurs die down. He’s become the unofficial leader of the human members of the guard. I don’t mind. When he’s not annoying the hell out of me, he’s a good friend with a cool head. He’s also ex-law enforcement and was Harlow’s partner on Earth.
“As you’re all aware, we’ve received information about a potential new faction of HAA. While HAA was generally focused locally on issues relating to them and the people they knew personally, this faction is setting their sights higher.”
I sit back in my chair. From the way Blake talks, you’d never know that he was a member of HAA. Or that he was the one who helped Harlow run. The fact that he managed to convince Varian to let him compete for a spot on the guard showed some serious balls on his part.
A muscle twitches in his jaw. “According to our intel, this faction may be either attempting to, or already working with the Grivath.”
“Fucking idiots,” Nathan mutters.
I nod. It’s one thing to wish the Arcav would leave, and I can understand the urge to fight back. But working with the Grivath?
The Grivath are massive grey beasts with red eyes and a strong urge for universal domination. They run slave planets, and over the past few centuries, they’ve attempted to take over a number of planets— sometimes successfully, and sometimes, such as when they tried to invade Arcavia, unsuccessfully.
There are only a few laws that are enforced in this universe. The most important, and the one with the most consequences, is that aliens are not allowed to introduce themselves to planets where people are unaware of alien life.
Planets like Earth.
The Arcav broke that rule in a big way. They argue that they had extenuating circumstances. Either way, it meant that Earth was suddenly on the map as far as other aliens were concerned. Unlike other planets, where the locals were aware of alien life and had the technology and defenses to at least try to keep themselves safe, Earth was screwed.
Now, the Arcav are completely responsible for the humans’ safety—both because they need human women as mates, and because their Queen is a human, and she tolerates no shit.
“Why would they work with them? Do they really think the Grivath are better than the Arcav?” Rob’s voice is disgusted.
Blake sighs. “The Grivath probably promised them all kinds of things. Things they have no intention of delivering. Some of the humans will believe them, while others will simply take any revenge against the Arcav that they can get.”
The room is silent for a long moment.
If I think too long about visiting Earth, I’ll curl up in fetal position under this table. All I can do is keep my goal front and center. I’ll do whatever it takes to wipe out the Grivath and keep Harlow and her baby safe. I never expected to find a home and a community in Arcavia. When I got on that ship, it was for one reason only: Escape. Now, I won’t let anyone destroy my new home or the people in it. And they don’t get to destroy Earth either.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask.
“Divide and conquer. You and I will head to the FBI. They’ve already been told to expect us. Nathan and Rob will work directly with the cops on the ground, and once we have the info we need, we take them out.”
My eyes widen and he grins. “By that, I mean take them off-planet and back to Arcavia. The goal is to keep losses minimal. Varian wants them questioned on our home turf.”
Blake turns to Vazta and Korva. “You guys can each pick a team and go as backup. We’ll do most of the talking to start with. Law enforcement will be more likely to work with humans.”
Vazta nods. “I will go with Nathan and Rob.”
That leaves Korva with us. Damn it. As if this trip isn’t going to be hard enough.
I don’t want to talk to the FBI. If I could, I’d swap with Rob and work with the cops instead. But that’ll lead to too many questions. Blake’s obviously hoping that I’ll be seen as a friendly face among the FBI. He couldn’t be more wrong.
I finally look at Korva, who meets my eyes. The last thing I need is for him to come with us. This meeting will be hard enough.
I clear my throat. “I don’t think we need Korva,” I say.
“How come?” Blake sits back in his chair, mimicking my body language. I get the weirdest urge to laugh.
I open my mouth.
“I’m coming,” Korva says, as if putting the question to bed and I see red.
“Look,” I say softly to everyone but Korva. “He’s useless to us if we’re truly hoping for collaboration with human law enforcement. He’ll growl, they’ll either piss their pants or clamp their mouths shut, and we’ll be faced with an uphill battle if we want any cooperation at all.”
Nathan raises an eyebrow.
“Well now, I’m sure some silent but deadly backup will go a long way with anyone thinking about giving us the runaround,” he says, his voice low and his words slow.
I kick him under the table, and he catches my foot as I glower at him. Where’s my backup when I need it?
Blake nods. “He’s going,” he says.
“Who put you in charge?” I mutter, and he winks at me.
“Moving on,” he says, and I grind my teeth. I’ve lost this round, and if I’m not careful, I’ll also make myself look like even more of an idiot.
Nathan’s hand tightens on my calve, and I glare at him, even as he shoots me a confused look. The hand gentles to a long, slow stroke, and my mouth drops open. Nathan frowns at me and I whip my head toward Korva.
Shit.
I miscalculated and kicked him under the table instead of Nathan. I grit my teeth and attempt to pull my foot free without causing a scene, but his huge hand simply tightens, even as he shoots me a wicked grin.
I immediately dampen.
That was the same grin he gave me when he—
No. Don’t go there.
This is punishment. He’s making it very clear that he’ll do what he wants, and too bad if I have a problem with it.
Korva keeps my foot prisoner for the rest of the meeting, forcing me to stay leaning back nonchalantly in my chair. Each time I think he’s loosened his grip and try to wrench it out of his hand, he tightens his hand or slowly strokes a finger along my shin, my calve, and at one point, under the bottom of my jeans and along the skin of my ankle.
I’m so aroused I’m dripping, even as I shake with fury.
Korva’s nostrils flare and my cheeks burn. Arcav have much, much better noses than humans.
Korva staring down at me, one hand in my hair, the other on my ass as he holds me tight against him.
“You know, I can smell your tight, wet cunt every time you look at me. Why don’t you stop pretending?”
“You good with that, Eve?”
“Sure,” I tell Blake, with no idea what I’m agreeing to.
“Excellent. We’ll divide and conquer as soon as we land. Is there anything else?”
We all shake our heads, and everyone gets to their feet. I attempt to pull my leg free, and I want to break things when I realize that Korva has no intention of letting me go.
“Eve?” Nathan’s voice is confused. “You coming?”
“Soon. I just need a moment to think.”
“Uh, okay.”
I sit and stare at Korva as the others leave, and then bring my other foot up, kicking him solidly in the shin.
He’s fucking fast for such a big guy, and before I know it, he’s got both of my feet trapped in his hands as he narrows his eyes at me from across the table.
Korva
I have no desire to go and talk to humans. I had planned to stay on the ship, keeping to the letter of my agreement with Varian.
But something about Eve’s determinatio
n to keep me away stoked my curiosity.
I stare at her, so defiant as she glares at me. Eve reminds me of a prickly plant in Arcavia. If you’re unlucky enough to be stabbed by its thorns, you’ll be in pain until you can see a healer. But if you can cut away the thorns and crack it open, you’ll be rewarded by a sweet, rich syrup.
“Let go,” she orders, voice hard.
“Why is it that you do not wish for me to go with you? Is it because you are worried that you cannot keep your hands off me?”
I can smell her desire, buried deep under her rage, embarrassment, and a tiny sliver of… fear.
My horns straighten.
“Who are you afraid of?”
She flails her legs beneath the table, wincing as her knee hits a chair. I rub her knee, even as I frown at her.
“No one. Let me go, dickhead.”
“Others are excited to go to their home planet. You had to be convinced to go. Why?”
She leans back, folds her arms, and studies me coolly.
“I’m going to say this one more time, and hopefully you’ll finally get it. My life is none of your business. You made that clear six months ago.”
Eve throwing her head back, laughing, her shoes in one hand. My arms around her, desperate to trap some of that light and life and make it mine. Her mouth under mine, sweet and soft as she moans beneath me.
“Korva!”
I stare at her, stunned. Somehow, I blacked out, and I’m inches from her white face. I’ve let go of her legs and lunged over the table; my eyes fixed on her mouth. She’s looking at me like I’m something poisonous, nose wrinkled in distaste even as her desire fills the air.
She gets to her feet. “That table can’t take your weight. Stay away from me, or I’ll make you sorry.”
She stalks from the room as the table gives one creak and then crashes to the ground.
Chapter Three
Eve
