by Hacket, Anna
“I like him,” Eve murmured.
“You would,” Davion said. “Eve, this is my second-in-command, Second Commander Brack Thann-Felis and my Medical Commander, Aydin Kann-Ath. Warriors, this is Sub-Captain Eve Traynor.”
The men nodded.
Davion cupped her face. “Are you okay, Eve?”
“I’m fine. My injury is healed.”
Suddenly, Davion’s symbiont pulsed and she felt it. There were no words, just feelings, but she knew it was checking that she was okay. She reached out and stroked the band on his wrist.
The symbiont pulsed up her arm, black scales covering her skin.
He pulled her closer. “I was so afraid.” A near-silent whisper.
God, her warrior. She gripped him tightly.
Brack and Aydin both made strangled noises. They stared at Eve like she were a Kantos creature that had just burst out of an egg.
“It…your helian, it responds to her?” Aydin choked out.
Davion nodded.
“You should have told me! It would have changed my healing protocols.” Clearly recovering from his shock, the doctor moved closer, pressing his fingers to Eve’s neck.
“Uh, touching me didn’t work out so well for you last time,” she said.
The warrior froze, green-black eyes flicking to hers. “I’m…sorry. May I check your vitals?”
“Sure.”
An excited woof echoed in the corridor. Eve lifted her head and saw a medium-sized, brown-and-white canine running toward them. It reached them, wiggled its butt, and then bumped its head against Eve. It lifted its woolly head and familiar aqua eyes stared at Eve.
“Shaggy?” Warmth exploded inside her.
“I brought him with us,” Davion said.
“For some Cren-cursed reason.” Brack’s face twisted. “The creature is a menace.”
“The biome changed just before we left Hunter7,” Davion added. “He went from aquatic animal to this.”
“Hey, boy.” Shaggy licked her face and gave a yip. Eve laughed.
“Aydin, how is she?” Davion demanded.
“Fine. Healed and healthy. She needs more rest, however. But in light of your symbiont’s reaction to her, I think it would be better if she stays with you.”
Davion nodded, rising and taking Eve into his arms. “You can remove the last of these tubes?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Do it. Then if you need us, we’ll be in my cabin.”
* * *
Davion carried Eve to his cabin, laying her down gently on his bed. “You need to rest.”
Shaggy, who’d already made a bed in Davion’s closet, trotted to his spot and disappeared through the doors.
Eve looked around and smiled. “This is where we first met.”
“Where you abducted me?”
She grinned. “Sure did. You were gloriously naked.”
“Impertinent female.” He plumped the pillows behind her. She looked gorgeous. Her skin was glowing, and there was no sign of her grievous injury.
His gut tightened. He hated the memory of her so badly hurt. “Now, time to rest.”
“No.” She grabbed his arms.
“Eve—”
“I need you.”
He hesitated.
Her fingers tightened. “Please.”
He slid in beside her, wrapping himself around her. She nuzzled close and he breathed in her scent. He closed his eyes for a second and memories peppered him. He’d come so close to losing her.
A shudder ran through him. Eve turned her head, her lips pressing against his collarbone. Then her hands started unfastening his shirt.
He groaned. “You need to rest. Doctor’s orders.”
She smiled at him. “I’ve never been that great with orders. When have we ever actually rested?” She shoved his shirt off. “I need skin.”
Davion let her divest him of his shirt. Her hands stroked over his skin, hunger flaring in her eyes. He pushed her back on the bed, ripping her medical outfit off. Then she was naked, and he set his mouth on her. He kissed her all over—neck, breasts, belly, thighs—until she was writhing. He worshipped her, checking every inch of her skin.
He lavished her belly with attention. It would take a long time for him to forget what had happened to her. But thankfully, Aydin was good at his job, and there was no sign of her wound.
Eve twisted, rearing up. She shoved Davion down on the sheets, and then her mouth was on him.
She took her time. Nipping at his skin, sucking his nipples, tongue tracing over the ridges of his stomach. When she sucked his cock into her mouth, he bucked.
Soon, he couldn’t stand it anymore. He wasn’t coming in her mouth. He wanted to come inside her tight body.
Davion rose up on his knees and gripped her waist, lifting her. She smiled, wrapping her legs around his hips. He jerked her down, plunging inside her.
He gritted his teeth. So good. He watched the look on her face. Could watch her forever.
“You’re always wet and ready for me,” he growled.
“Yes.”
They kissed again, as he continued driving inside her. It didn’t take long until her cries changed, became more urgent.
“Come, my Earth warrior. My mate.”
Her orgasm hit her and her head dropped back with a scream.
Driven by the need to find the release only Eve could give him, Davion kept thrusting inside her. More. Deeper.
Then he pulled out of her, listening to her cry of protest. He spun her onto her hands and knees.
He covered her, pressing one hand to the bed, his cock into her tight heat.
She turned her head to look at him, and he saw that her eyes were burning, glowing a neon blue that matched the filaments in his eyes.
He realized what was happening. An Eon mating fever. A cementing of their union, powered by the amplification of their feelings by his symbiont.
He looked up and saw their reflection in the mirror on the closet. Her face was flushed, and his body looked almost brutal covering her smaller form.
But the sight made him harder. He’d never seen anything sexier. He shifted a hand beneath Eve, sliding his hand across her skin, until he stroked the top of her folds. He found her clit, rolling it between his fingers.
She bucked. “Hell, yes.”
“So beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” she gasped.
He pinched her clit and her back arched. “Find it again, Eve.”
“With you, it’s guaranteed.”
Davion felt his own release gathering, and felt a pulse from his symbiont.
“Oh,” she cried out. “That feels so amazing.”
He’d heard stories of the mating fever, but he’d never felt anything close to this. With his symbiont amplifying their emotions, he felt the exact moment when she came. He experienced the rush of scorching pleasure she felt, and it set off his orgasm.
Pistoning into her, he groaned through the gut-wrenching pleasure.
Together they collapsed, covered in sweat. He felt his release leaking down her leg, but she just smiled lazily.
“I believe we’re experiencing an Eon mating fever.”
She blinked. “Say again.”
“The helian amplifies our desires. It helps cement a mating.”
“A fuck-a-thon?” She ran her tongue over her teeth. “Sounds good to me.”
“It can last several days.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Days?” Then she smiled wickedly. “I’m game.”
He smiled in response. “Shower?”
“Can’t move. You go.” She waved a hand.
He nuzzled her. “Did I tire out my Earth warrior?”
“Give me a second, and I’ll recover enough to take you on.”
He kissed her shoulder. “I didn’t hurt you?”
“Not even close.”
“The mating fever can be intense.”
“I abducted the most fearsome Eon war commander and battled waves
of Kantos on a killer planet. An Eon mating fever with the sexiest man I know?” She made a pfft sound. “Piece of cake.”
That was his Eve. “In case it wasn’t obvious, I love you, Eve Traynor.”
Emotions flitted across her face. “In case it wasn’t obvious, Davion Thann-Eon, I love you, too.”
Just hearing her say the words had elation flowing through him. He kissed her again. “You’re my perfect match. I think my symbiont knew it before me.”
“Clever alien organism.” Then her face turned serious. She shoved her mussed hair back. “But what now, warrior?”
“What do you mean?”
She sat up. “You’re an Eon war commander and I’m a Terran criminal. Your people hate mine. And the Kantos—”
“Shh.” He gripped her chin. “We’ll face it together. All of it. We make a hell of a team, and we can tackle anything. Disapproving people and killer aliens are nothing.”
She smiled. “True.”
“I’ll fight anything and anyone to stay at your side.”
She bit her lip. “If you make me cry, I’ll hit you.”
“Well, if you’re feeling refreshed.” He lowered his head, pressing a kiss to one breast.
She squirmed beneath him. “I’m still a bit tired. You’ll have to do all the work.”
“It will be my pleasure, my mate.”
Chapter Nineteen
Eve sensed movement and cracked open one eye.
Aydin was beside the bed, running a scanner over her. She jerked, yanking the sheet up. God, she was naked. The twisted sheet was only preserving the barest hint of her modesty.
Davion was facedown beside her and completely out.
“What are you doing here?” Her voice was husky with sleep.
“Checking you’re both alive.”
She sat up on the pillows, clutching the sheet to her breasts. She gave a small groan. She and Davion had pretty much had sex for two days straight. She was more than a little achy.
“We’re alive,” she muttered.
“I’m told the mating fever can be…intense.”
She snorted. “You don’t say.”
A faint smile crossed the doctor’s rugged face. His scanner beeped. “The only thing you need right now is some sustenance.” He aimed the scanner at Davion. “As does your mate.”
Stirring, Davion groaned and rolled. His gaze snagged on Aydin and he scowled.
The doctor held up his hands. “I was the unlucky one selected to invade your cabin.” He paused. “And to inform you that the king has requested you contact him.”
Davion’s face cleared. “When?”
“In twenty ship minutes.”
Davion cursed, threw the covers back, and pushed out of the bed. Apparently, he wasn’t fazed being naked in front of his warrior. Eve blatantly watched his ass as he headed for the washroom.
“I’ll be ready,” Davion called back.
Aydin cleared his throat. “He wants to see Eve, as well.”
Eve rubbed her suddenly sweaty palms on the sheets. Shit.
“He’s extremely interested in the Terran sent to abduct you. The same Terran you mated.”
Davion nodded from the washroom doorway. “We’ll see you on the bridge.”
As soon as the doctor left, Eve ran for the shower. God, she needed to be presentable to meet a king. The freaking king of the Eon Empire.
When she looked in the mirror, she nearly screamed. Her hair was a tangled mess and she had a large hickey on the side of her neck. She spun. Davion was turning on the shower and when she saw his back, she winced. He had several scratch marks down his skin and a matching hickey on his neck. Yikes. Two of them.
“Come on, my Earth warrior.” He nudged her into the misty shower. “Surely you aren’t afraid.”
“I’m not afraid…exactly.”
But as they showered and dressed, Eve felt her nerves growing. Her entire planet and all the people on it depended on her talking the king into supporting them. Hand in hand, they headed out into the corridor.
The bridge doors approached and she blew out a breath. She’d prefer to be facing down a swarm of Kantos. Davion squeezed her fingers.
“It will be fine,” he said.
“I’ve never met a king.”
“He recently accepted the mantle from his father. Gayel is a good man.”
Right. Who’d had his war commander abducted and tossed into danger by the very people who needed his help.
They strode onto the bridge and she felt every single warrior look at them. Nearby, Brack looked at them with amusement. Of course, the man’s gaze went straight to the bruises she’d left on Davion’s neck. Eve wanted to wither, but Davion straightened and smiled. Like he was proud, or something. She wanted to smack him, but instead, fought her threatening blush.
“We’ve made connection with the palace, War Commander,” a young warrior called out.
Davion nodded. “Put it on-screen.”
The huge viewscreen flickered and a man’s face appeared.
Oh, wow. Eve blinked. He was clearly Eon, but he was so handsome that it nearly hurt to look at him. He was built like a warrior, broad shoulders stretching a sleeveless, blue shirt, and a cord of gold strained around a muscled bicep. But where Davion’s face had a rugged edge, the king’s was pure, masculine beauty. He looked like a movie star or model, except one who could also fight a swarm of Kantos, if required.
“War Commander Thann-Eon.” A deep, authoritative voice.
“Your majesty.” Davion bowed his head.
“Davion, I am very happy to see that you’re alive.”
“Me too, Gayel.”
The easy familiarity made Eve stare at Davion. It was clear they were friends.
“I’ve been informed of your…ordeal,” the king said.
“Yes. The Kantos.” Davion launched into a quick recap of events on Hunter7.
The king’s gaze moved to Eve and she straightened.
“Gayel, this is Sub-Captain Eve Traynor of Earth. Eve, this is King Gayel Solann-Eon.”
“Uh, King Solann-Eon.” She bowed her head. Shit, she hoped she wasn’t supposed to curtsy or anything.
“I’m not impressed with your planet’s decision to abduct my war commander, Sub-Captain Traynor.”
She swallowed. “Sorry about that. I thought it was a terrible idea too.” She blew out a breath. “But the Kantos are closing in on Earth, and our backs are to the wall. Your people have the ability to help us, but have ignored us for decades.”
The king was quiet for a long moment, then looked at Davion. “She is your mate?”
“Yes.” Davion smiled down at Eve. “She’s my everything.”
Looking at him made her nerves melt away. She smiled back, linking her hand with his.
The king made a sound and when Eve looked up, she realized he was laughing.
Shit, for a split second, she’d forgotten all about him.
“Please, your majesty. Earth needs your help. The Kantos are our common enemy, and they won’t stop—”
The king held up a hand and she closed her mouth. He opened his mouth to speak in turn, but was interrupted by Davion.
“Sire, I fully back my mate. If the Eon don’t agree to help Earth, I will henceforth resign my commission and go back with her.”
“What?” Eve stared at him.
All around them, there were indrawn breaths and shocked looks. The king was silent, his expression pensive.
“I will not be separated from you. And I sure as Cren won’t leave your sisters and your planet to be destroyed.”
God, the man was crazy about her. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too.” Davion pulled her tightly to his side.
The king cleared his throat. “It is true that my father was stuck in the old ways, and this is something that I have long questioned. If my best war commander has accepted you as his mate, you must be an incredible woman, Eve Traynor. And I hope that means Terrans have qua
lities that we’ve thus far underestimated.”
“The people of Earth are both good and bad, your majesty. We’re not perfect. Regardless, we deserve to live, and will fight to survive.”
“Fierce. And I see you have grit and loyalty. All very good qualities.” The king glanced at Davion and smiled. “Well done, War Commander.”
Davion’s fingers tightened around Eve’s.
“Unlike my father, I dislike the idea of leaving an entire species in firing range of the Kantos. We will help Earth.”
Relief washed through Eve and she blew out a breath. But then the king’s face changed. If he’d been on the bridge, Eve was sure she’d have felt the full force of his anger fill the room.
“Unfortunately, abducting Davion wasn’t your planet’s only ill-advised decision.”
Dread trickled in. “Oh?”
“They’ve also hijacked the Desteron’s sister warship, the Rengard.”
More shocked breaths and a few curses.
“Eon High Command’s last contact with the ship said that whomever Earth had sent had infiltrated the ship and taken over the ship’s systems.”
“All of the ship’s systems?” Brack asked incredulously.
“All of them, Second Commander Thann-Felis. War Commander Dann-Jad was tearing the ship apart to find the hijacker when the ship’s stardrives ignited, and it disappeared.”
Oh, shit. Eve’s palms were sweaty again. What the hell had Space Corps done? And who the hell would have been crazy enough or skilled enough to pull this off?
“They also sent another operative who snuck into our sacred temple on Felis. They stole the sacred gem of Ston.”
Now Eve felt a rumble of anger from the agitated warriors on the bridge. She squeezed her eyes closed.
“We suspect the thief will be going after the gems of Alqin and Eschar, as well.”
Davion gripped her hand hard.
This was not good.
* * *
Davion watched Eve’s tense, pale face and wanted to hug her.
“Gayel,” Davion said. “If we announce a treaty with Earth, I’m sure all of this can be rectified.”
Eve nodded. “I can talk to my planet’s leaders. They’re desperate. Clearly, they didn’t just send me to kidnap Davion—” When the king’s jaw tightened, she hurried on. “—and they probably expected me to fail.”
