by Cara Wylde
Just as Pippa was descending the last flight of stairs, she saw Kayvor putting on his coat and snow shades as he came out of a side room and walked briskly to the front door.
“Kay!”
He stopped in his tracks, turned to her, and greeted her with a cold smile and a polite nod.
“You’re up and about, I see,” he said.
“You’re going out?”
He hesitated for a moment. “Yes.”
“Can I come with you?” When he didn’t answer, she insisted. This was her chance to get some alone time with Kay. She wasn’t going to let it slip through her fingers. “Ash and Trev said I’m only allowed to go outside if I’m accompanied by one of you. It’s getting lonely inside, and I need some air.”
“Is that so?” Kay adjusted his coat and his shades, then finally motioned for her to come down the stairs and join him. “You’ll need protection.”
Pippa gave him a grateful smile and hurried down the stairs and into the main hall. She let him help her put a heavy winter coat on, then she chose a pair of black-rimmed shades from the impressive collection they had in a drawer by the door.
“Just a few minutes, okay? I have some business to attend to in town and I can’t afford to spend the whole day walking your around.”
Pippa bit the inside of her cheek but didn’t say anything. Great! How was she supposed to convince someone who was so grumpy to do her a solid and send her back to her home galaxy? She followed him silently, thinking she’d just let things flow and see what opportunities might pop up.
Kay led her out into the bright morning and turned around to make sure she was wearing her shades. He inspected her for a second, then nodded in approval. The winter boots fit her well, and the coat stopped just above her ankles. Even when she was overly dressed, she looked amazing. He guessed it was true what they said... that Terran women had been so blessed by Mother Nature that they could easily pull anything off.
“It’s not that bad,” she said. The wind was blowing, so she had to raise her voice to make herself heard. “On Earth, we’d call this a proper winter.”
Kay grunted dismissively. “Just wait five more minutes. Here, it doesn’t matter how well you’re dressed. The cold will get to you.”
He started walking toward the left side of the villa, and Pippa had no choice but to follow him. They walked in silence for a while, but instead of feeling the freezing wind in her bones, as he’d said, she felt herself starting to sweat from the effort of making her way through the compact snow.
“Don’t you guys have snowplows?”
“We’ve given up using them a long time ago. It snows almost constantly. It’s impossible to keep up.”
Pippa stopped for a minute to catch her breath. She had her mouth and nose covered with the thick scarf that came attached to the winter coat, and she didn’t dare remove it and inhale cold air into her lungs.
“Tired already?”
He gave her an amused smile, and she hated him in that moment. Did he think this was funny? He loved laughing at her expense, didn’t he? Determined to prove him wrong, she pushed herself harder and took another step. To her horror, her boot found a patch of ice hidden under the snow, and before she could grasp what was happening, she was falling, arms flailing miserably in an attempt to regain her balance. The fact that her clothes alone weighed eight pounds, or maybe more, didn’t help in the least. She let out a sharp, rather pathetic squeal, and closed her eyes, waiting for the imminent impact. It didn’t happen.
“You’re the clumsiest creature I’ve ever seen.”
Pippa opened her eyes, and there he was, Kayvor V’tal, holding her gently in his strong arms. As he looked down at her, his brown eyes studying her in slight concern, his long black hair fell around his face. Some of the soft locks touched her cheek.
“Thank you,” she said.
She would have expected him to help her up and let her go, but they stayed like that for a while, simply staring into each other’s eyes. She swallowed heavily. Kay was just as handsome as Trev and Ash, but in a very different way. He had no tattoos, and he always looked so well put together. He had a harshness and coldness about him, but not right now, when he seemed so entranced with her. Or, so she hoped. Pippa held his gaze, and when it was too much for her, her eyes moved to his full lips. He’d removed his own scarf when he caught her, and she could feel his hot breath on her cheeks.
“Kay,” she whispered. She wasn’t sure what she meant by it. Maybe, she was asking him for permission.
“Yes?”
She chose to ignore the question mark in the way he’d said it and take his “yes” as “permission granted”. She pulled her scarf down and lifted herself up just enough to press her lips to his. Their breaths mingled, and when their lips met, time stopped. Unlike Ash, who’d pushed his tongue in her mouth and grabbed on to her for dear life, Kay barely responded to her kiss. His desire for her was there, she could sense it, but he was repressing it. He didn’t push her away, though, and after a few seconds, his lips started moving against hers, slowly and reluctantly at first, then more urgently. Just as their kiss was getting more intense, Kay sighed and pulled away. Brows furrowed and lips pursed, he looked at her as if he wanted to make sure that she was paying attention and he wouldn’t have to repeat himself later.
“You’re a slave, Pippa Steele.” His voice was low and stern. “I know what you’re trying to do, and it won’t work. You spent the morning with Trev, and last night, Ash was in your room. I saw him burst out of there as if he’d been bitten by a snake. If your plan is to seduce one of us to get out of here, then you’ve already failed.”
She huffed and pushed him off of her. Gathering all her strength, she forced her stiff limbs to cooperate, so she could stand up on her own. She’d been wrong about him. Now, she wouldn’t let him touch her even if he made the first move.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Kay chuckled darkly. He pulled himself back up to his feet and dusted the snow off his coat.
“Then I’ll tell you now, so there won’t be any misunderstandings. The only reason you’re still here is because Trev insists the Heart of Iarna reacted to you and you can help our planet in some way. I agreed to give him a few more days, but once this foolishness is over, you’re boarding a ship to Sephara. You belong to the one who brought you to our galaxy, and he will decide your fate.”
“I can’t...” She felt like she was about to lose her voice. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, but she held them back. The last thing she needed was tiny drops of ice sticking to her face. “I can’t even with you!”
He cocked an eyebrow. “That makes no sense.”
“Ugh!” She closed the space between them, sticking her finger right in his face, even though she was aware it all looked like less of a threat and more like a tantrum. “Listen here: I am not a slave. I was brought here against my will, and I do not abide by your primitive, barbaric rules. If you don’t want to help me, fine. But I’ve got news for you: you’re underestimating me, Kayvor V’tal. I’m not who you think I am. I’m more powerful and dangerous than you could ever imagine.”
Pippa was shocked by her own words. The second she said them, she wanted to take them back. It was too late, though. Kay was looking at her as if she’d just gone insane. Good. She’d said too much, and it was better if he didn’t believe her. She huffed again, then walked past him and back toward the house.
“Be careful!” He called after her. “I won’t be there to catch you if you slip again.”
She gave him the finger and didn’t even turn around to see whether he knew what it meant or not. More important than to get her point across was to focus on every step, lest her boot found another hidden patch of ice.
* * *
Kay
He’d almost fallen into her trap. That woman could bewitch even the most rational, level-headed, and sober man. He only hoped he hadn’t been wrong, an
d Ash and Trev had resisted her advances. That kiss... When her wobbling form disappeared inside the house, Kay closed his eyes and allowed himself one moment to relive it. Her lips were like nothing he’d ever tasted. He’d had his fair share of ladies, but she was nothing like the cold, thin, and bony women of Iarna. She was soft and warm. Like a summer day. Her lips tasted of sweet fruit, and her breath smelled like fresh summer air. Why couldn’t he indulge just this once? Because he knew better than to take a bite out of someone else’s property, especially when that someone was one of the most respected slave traders on Sephara, the planet that was considered to be the center and the capital of the Lichora Galaxy.
Sephara was also the richest planet in Lichora, and Iarna needed the Sepharans’ support. Since the people of Iarna didn’t have much to trade now, the planet was in serious debt, and the Council of Four could only negotiate so much. Kayvor’s father was part of the Council, and Kay had turned into his trusted, unofficial advisor in the past few years. He knew about the Council’s struggle to convince the other members of the Coalition that Iarna could still be useful and should not be forsaken. They had great warriors, and under Ashtar’s command, they could protect the galaxy from any kind of outside threat. Unfortunately, everyone had gotten so used to the current era of peace, that they’d forgotten the terrors of war and bloodshed. Especially the Council on Sephara. They believed Lichora was so prosperous, safe, and powerful, that they weren’t even willing to consider the possibility of a neighboring galaxy attacking them. Not even when the slave trade was in bloom and they were literally kidnapping men and women from their home planets. Pippa’s home galaxy was their preferred target, and they knew that the Milky Way didn’t have the military power to seek justice.
Kay sighed, covered his mouth and nose with his scarf, then headed to the garage. He had to pay his father a visit, and he needed the Red Beast to get to Kriva. He hadn’t told him about the Terran woman yet, nor about the fact that Trev believed what the Prophecy said was unfolding right now. Just like Kay, his father wasn’t much of a believer. In the good old days, Iarnians had been very serious about their gods. Now that the gods seemed to have turned their backs on them, more and more people had started worshiping the gods of Sephara – Turms, and his consort, Laverna. But they were the god and goddess of commerce. Not even Kay resonated much with these new-to-Iarna deities, and preferred to call himself a non-believer.
As he got behind the wheel, Kay removed his scarf and unbuttoned his coat. Was it him, or today wasn’t as cold as the other days? Was it Pippa, maybe? No, that was insane! He knew Trevkon had faith, and he respected him for that, but the theory of how the red stone was the heart of their planet was too childish for him. When the eternal winter fell over their lands, it was true that a handful of priests of the Temple and historians had said that the red stone lost its shimmer at the exact moment of the first snowfall, but that didn’t mean the incident had any true connection with the sudden change in climate. To Kay, it was speculation, not science.
“There’s no good reason to bother my father with this nonsense,” he muttered under his breath as he started the engine and waited for it to warm up. “And the sooner we take Pippa to Sephara, the better. We can’t afford a conflict now. Father would not be pleased to know that we have one of their Terran slaves and haven’t given her back yet.”
He drove out of the garage and onto the main road, which was barely visible. It had been snowing almost constantly for days, weeks, months, years... At night, it snowed more heavily, and during the day, the snowfall was lighter and calmer, but still steady. A snowflake here, another one there, but never a clear sky. As he settled at a comfortable speed, Kay thought that yes, it would be nice if Pippa could save them from this never-ending nightmare. But he couldn’t look out the window and believe in such fairytales. Daydreaming was one thing, and the harsh reality was another.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ash
After leaving Pippa’s room the night before, Ashtar had slept in the attic at the Angry Cerber, woken up in a pile of old sheets and dirty clothes, gone downstairs to treat his pounding head with a couple of pints, then wolfed down a plate of rather mysterious food the bartender’s wife had managed to put together for him.
“General, please forgive me, but can I speak my mind?” Zolt, the bartender, asked as he brought a new pint of frothy ale to Ash’s table. At that early hour, Ash was his only customer.
“Go ahead, old friend.”
“The past few years haven’t been easy on us. We’re Iarnians, and we’re strong. A bit of snow won’t be the end of us. But you, General... I feel like there’s something else that’s been bothering you lately. I can tell it’s not the cold, nor the lack of action in this time of peace. What’s pressing so heavily on your shoulders, General? It’s always been my deepest belief that if you talk about it, then whatever it is, it’s half solved. I’m here to lend an ear, if you need it.”
Ashtar sighed and put down his spoon. He took a swig of ale and looked up at Zolt. The man did have a point. He couldn’t talk about it with Trev or Kay, so why not take advantage of this opportunity?
“It’s a woman, my friend. A woman.”
The bartender’s dark eyes sparked with curiosity. It was obvious that was not what he’d expected.
“Oh. Well, that should be easy to fix. Women love you!”
“Not this one. This one is...” He ran his hand through his blond, tangled hair, then down his face to rub at his tattoos and overgrown beard. He was in dire need of a shave. “She’s like no one I’ve ever met. And I don’t think she likes me. She just wants me to do something for her. A favor. I’m afraid she’s using me.” He burst out in bitter laughter. “I’ve drunk too much. Don’t tell anyone I just said that.”
“Hmm...” Zolt thought for a moment. “So what if she’s using you? If you can do her that favor, good. If not, she doesn’t need to know. At least, not until you get her out of your system, if you know what I mean.”
“Old man, thank you for your heartfelt advice, but I’m not that kind of guy. Despite what my looks might tell you, I love and respect women. Even when they don’t love and respect me. Why don’t you bring me another pint, eh?”
Zolt shrugged and went back behind the bar.
Ash pushed his empty plate away and crossed his fingers on top of the table. As much as he hated to admit it, the thought of just getting what he wanted from the Terran woman had tortured him all night. Kay said she was a slave. She didn’t matter. If they weren’t going to buy her from her trader and keep her as their mate, then why not take advantage while he could? The night before, she had seemed into it, too. Favor or no favor, she wanted him just as much as he did. If the promise of getting her back to her home galaxy sweetened the deal, why not? Anyway, he was a damn good lover. After an hour or two in his bed, she’d forget all about Uthea. She wouldn’t care that he wasn’t going to keep his promise.
When the bartender brought him the pint, Ash downed it in seconds, slapped some coins onto the dirty table, and grabbed his coat and snow shades. The ride back to the villa cleared the fog in his head, and when he got to his room, the first thing he did was to take a shower and shave his wild beard. The more he thought about it, the less of a bad idea it seemed. He was a man, she was a woman. Her kiss and her body throbbing for him had spoken louder than her words. He’d be a fool not to take her up on her offer.
Once he made himself presentable, Ash made sure that Kay was out in town, and that Trev was in his study, buried in his books and notes. He asked one of the guards, and his man assured him that the Terran woman was in her room.
“It’s on, Miss Steele,” he said as he almost ran down the hall. “You’re about to get exactly what you want.”
* * *
Pippa
She jumped out of her skin when the door burst open and Ash entered the room.
“Don’t you know how to knock?!”
He didn’t answer. He
closed the door behind him, produced a key out of his pocket, and locked it.
Pippa’s eyes grew as wide as saucers.
“What... what’s going on? What are you doing?”
She gathered the books she’d taken from the library and spread all over the bed, and clutched them to her chest. She stood up and held her chin up and her back straight. Whatever Ash had in mind, she couldn’t let him see he was scaring her. She willed her heart to calm down. She had things under control, right?
“I’m here to give you what you want.” His voice was low and husky.
A shiver ran up Pippa’s spine. She set the books on the nightstand and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You’ll take me to Uthea?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
She smiled and took a small step toward him. “Is that a promise?” She was so close to getting out of there. Apparently, her initial plan had worked, which meant there was no point in worrying about Trev or Kay anymore. Ash wasn’t as complicated as the other two. He was a man like any other man, and Pippa knew how to handle men. The fact that he was so bloody hot helped, too. She could escape Iarna and have some well-deserved fun at the same time. Her blue eyes studied him from head to toe, taking in his rough, yet handsome features, his wide shoulders, the tout muscles visible underneath his light shirt... He was wearing a tight pair of pants, and even though they didn’t look like they could be any good against the sharp cold outside, they did a wonderful job of highlighting his strong legs and the bulging erection he was already sporting.
