Marek (The Vartik King Chronicles Book 1)

by Liza Probz

  “I was. You’re rather intriguing. I have a million questions for you. You feel up to answering a few of them?” He wagged his eyebrows, looking far more like a nefarious boy than a highly intelligent man.

  “Shoot. I’ll just answer the parts that still allow me to seem mysterious and unbreakable.”

  “I can see why my brother likes you. If you ever get tired of him...” Nojan let the sentence die as he winked at her. He cared far too much for his brother to do anything that might upset him. Jazmine was more than assured of that.

  “I’m not sure I would ever get tired of your brother, but I need to get going soon. My little brother was taken from me one night a few years ago and I feel like I’m right on top of the answers. I can’t give up yet.”

  “I understand. We’re going to help with that, from what I gather. My father is willing to send a few of us out on a rescue mission of sorts. If we know what we’re looking for and where we’re going, we are a sure bet. My sister, Kara, is an empath. If she can get a read on someone, she can find them literally anywhere.”

  “Good. I’m not sure your father will let Marek go again now that he’s home, but if any of you are willing to accompany me, I would be grateful.” She moved out into a long hallway, the coolness around her telling her quickly that they were way under the surface of Vartik.

  “So tell me firstly, did you turn off the tracker I put on your arm because you’re fearless and wanted to deal with the cops on your own? Back on Killian, I mean.”

  “No. I knew who Marek was and how precious his blood is. I didn’t want to drag him in any deeper than I already had.” She looked around, waiting to see a splash of color on the white walls or pristinely cleaned floors, but nothing.

  “Interesting. That’s what I expected.” Nojan paused and opened the first door to their left. “How are you feeling now?”

  “Good, actually. I almost feel like I plugged my battery into a charger.” She shrugged and moved into the large room, medical equipment of every sort filling the space. The humming of various machines caused her stomach to tighten. She didn’t like the idea of being probed, but finding out if she was well would give her and Marek a bit of peace.

  “You have a battery inside of you?” He scoffed and walked toward a large machine near the back of the room. Jazmine paused, picking up a glass jar and lifting it to her face.

  “No, silly thing. It was an analogy.”

  “Cheeky tart. Come back here and let’s do the scan. You can get something to eat and some rest afterward.” Nojan winked and moved toward her, taking the jar and setting it down. His eyes darkened slightly as he watched her.

  “Does your eye color have specific colors it turns when you’re happy or sad, turned on or pissed?” she asked,

  “They shift various colors. My emotions are usually all over the place. It’s more aligned to the level of power we’re exerting, whether that be over someone else or ourselves. Most of us have chestnut-colored eyes, so when you see that color it means we’re calm, cool, and collected.”

  “And black with the red ring around them?”

  “Highly pissed, turned on, or working to drown someone in our will.” He shrugged. “Come on, let’s do this. Then I want to see you intensify your ring.”

  “That almost sounds personal.” She huffed and walked to the back, moving into the small circle on the floor that Nojan pointed to.

  “It is. I would assume your light aura is connected to your emotions. I can see it, but it’s soft and cloudlike right now.” He reached out and ran his fingers just above her arm, the warmth of his touch causing chill bumps to rush across her skin.

  “Run the test and then I’ll try to change the brightness of it, I guess.”

  “Cool. I appreciate that. Seeing you in a book isn’t nearly as cool as being able to test out the theories.” He nodded toward a large block above her that began to descend. “That’s going to stop right in front of you and spin around you slowly. Just close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice. It won’t take a minute and it won’t hurt a bit.”

  “Famous last words?” She smirked at him.

  “Of the executioner, I guess?” He chuckled and pressed a few buttons on the console beside him. “My brother said that you believe yourself to simply be a Territhian woman who was an orphan as a child. That right?”

  “Yes. I guess I’m starting to open up to the possibilities of something more, but I’m still confused. My purpose has just been to find my brother. Having been focused on that for so long, I honestly don’t know how to accept that I might be something else. I guess the thing that keeps running through my head is whether this new power or gift will help me in my quest. If it doesn’t, then it’s simply a liability that I don’t need.”

  “If it’s true and the myth is more than words on paper, you won’t need any of us to help. I think it will take some time to learn how to use your power, but we have so many books on your mother and her people, I think you’ll gain quite an advantage if you’re willing to search for the information.” He kept his gaze locked on her as the machine picked up speed.

  Jazmine tried hard not to flinch, but the large block kept coming closer and closer. She wanted to reach out and press her fingers to her stomach, the fluttering almost driving her mad, but the slightest movement would most likely result in her getting hit by the large box.

  “Your light is burning bright, Jaz. What are you thinking about?” Nojan pulled a lever and a light burst from the box, penetrating her and running up and down with expedience.

  She closed her eyes, not feeling anything from the laser, but dizziness washed over her nevertheless. “There is a fluttering in my stomach. I’m not sure what it is. I assumed it was nerves, but it’s really starting to freak me out. Do you think a bug of some sort crawled down my mouth on one of these weird planets? Killian is filled with bug-like creatures.”

  “Did you sleep anywhere in the last two days that something could have reached you?” Nojan asked.

  The machine stopped and Jazmine let out a long breath, glancing up at Marek’s brother. “No. I’ve been with your brother. I highly doubt he implanted anything in me.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m not going there. He would kick my ass if I even tried.”

  Chapter 28

  Marek made his way back to his floor, the guest rooms just outside of his own bedroom empty. Surely, Nojan wouldn’t be too much longer with her. It was a simple scan, one test that should take moments. Was he showing her around the planet? Marek growled at the thought and pressed a button on his wrist, trying to get a hold of his brother.

  Nothing.

  “Fuck,” Marek muttered and locked the door to his room before stopping by the guest room one more time.

  The bed was large and soft, the white sheets and comforter welcoming. The tub was extremely large, big enough for the two of them to fit in it together without discomfort. He would be putting that to the test later that evening. He only had a shower in his suite, simply because taking baths hadn’t meant much before.

  Everything in his life was efficient and made for a bachelor. He could see things slowly changing, and the woman hadn’t even agreed to live life with him yet.

  Yet...

  He smiled and walked to the elevator, taking it down and slipping out the front door before anyone saw him. The bike was parked in the garage, the keys still hanging from it. He chuckled, knowing that anyone else would have given Gromel hell about it, but no harm no foul.

  The ride back to the facility wouldn’t be more than five minutes, but it seemed too long. He parked the bike next to the tiny transport building and walked in, taking the elevator down to Nojan’s lab. He walked in to find only his brother. Jazmine was seemingly gone.

  “Hey. The results will take a few hours to process. She did great though.” Nojan looked up from one of the large desks that filled the room.

  “Where is she?”

  “I took her back up to the house via the
eastern tunnel. I’m not surprised that we didn’t pass each other if you used the surface roads. She should be lying down in the guest room just outside of yours.”

  “Fuck.” Marek ran his hand through his hair. His trip was a waste and something about her being without him for too long nagged at what little peace he had.

  “She’s good, dude. Nothing to be too concerned about.”

  “All right. I guess I need to get back to the house and find her then. I wanted to be here with her when she went through this, but I guess she was comfortable with you?”

  “Yeah. I only had her strip down to her panties and bra for one of the tests. I figured you’d be pissed if I got her naked.” Nojan glanced down, speaking as if nothing he had done was wrong.

  “What?” Marek took a few steps toward him as anger rose from the pit of his stomach. “You better not have.”

  “I’m kidding. Shit. Totally kidding.” Nojan lifted his hands and took a step back before smiling like the ass he was. “Did you tell Mom and Dad that you are in love with the girl?”

  “No. I’m not sure it’s love. I promised I would find her brother and she’s not this brave goddess you guys believe her to be. She’s a woman that needs my help. Love seems a bit much.” Marek scoffed, hating how far his words were from the truth. He had already planned his future with her. Love very much was the word he would use. It just seemed too trite and cliché to think about it so soon.

  “Go find her. I’ll come up to the house the minute I know something. Whatever is bothering her, we’ll figure out a solution together. She’s going to be fine.” Nojan moved closer, reaching out and squeezing Marek’s shoulder.

  “All right. Thanks, Nojan.” He turned and walked out of the lab, jogging toward the portal that would take him to the house and leave him just outside of his bed chambers. He hated to use the underground elevators, but they were the fastest means to get to her.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and tried to discern how he was going to talk to his parents about the girl being far more to him than a treasure for them to dissect. He walked out of the elevator into the hallway of the palace and turned to see his mother walking down the hall toward him.

  Marek stifled a groan. He just wanted five minutes with Jaz to make sure she was okay. His mom was famous for talking for hours and never really saying anything. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings, but she had ten minutes—tops.

  “Marek. I’m glad I caught you. I checked on the light twin and she’s sound asleep. She’s a pretty girl.” His mother smiled as she stopped in front of him, reaching out and brushing something from the front of his shirt. “I hope you realize that you’re not fooling anyone. Well, actually your father is oblivious, but that’s nothing new.”

  “I’m sorry?” Marek tilted his head, trying to figure out what his mother was talking about. This was a side of her that he hadn’t seen more than twice in his life.

  “I’m well aware that you have feelings for the girl, and after seeing her, I can understand why.” She smiled and shook her head. “You know that your father and I would support you in anything you wanted to do, but marrying and mating across different bloodlines is something our heritage forbids. There is nothing we can do about that son. Our blood has to remain pure and untainted.”

  “I understand. I care about the girl because of all we’ve been through together.” He cringed internally, trying to figure out how to stop falsifying his feelings and just tell his mother the truth. “I’m not in the mood to talk about this right now. I want to see how she’s feeling after the testing Nojan put her through.”

  “Of course.” His mother reached up and touched the side of his face, her expression saddening. “Has he found anything out yet?”

  “No, but he will soon.” Marek pulled his mom’s hand from his face carefully and leaned over, kissing her cheek before slipping past her.

  “I know you’ll do the right thing, Marek.” Her words stopped him as he reached for the door handle.

  He glanced back at her and nodded. “You’re right. I will. I’m just not quite sure what that is yet.”

  He slipped into the room, the darkness not hindering his vision at all. Jazmine’s figure left the sheets curving around her, the girl lying on her side. He moved toward the bed and pulled his shirt off before kicking his shoes on the floor beside the dresser.

  Slipping into the bed with her, Marek pulled her flush against him and slid his hand up her back, tangling his fingers into her silky hair.

  She mumbled something and he took that as his opportunity. Leaning over, he pressed his lips to the side of her throat and dragged his nose up to her ear.

  “Are you okay?”

  She reached for him, her hands gripping his side and pulling softly. He moved as close as he could, sliding his leg between hers as they lay on their sides holding each other.

  “Yeah,” she mumbled sleepily. She sounded impossibly cute, which turned him on far more than it should.

  “Nojan didn’t make you undress, right?” Marek hated the sound of his voice as it dipped, low and demanding. He couldn’t help it. His brother was going to suffer for the silly joke but would die slowly for humiliating Jaz in any way, shape, or form.

  “What? No.” She yawned, turning her face toward the pillow.

  Marek brushed his hand over her hip and slipped his fingers under her shirt. “Why are you still wearing these clothes? Let’s get you into something more comfortable.”

  “No. I want to meet your parents soon, and honestly, I’m starving.” She pulled from him and lifted her arm into the air, a loud sound leaving her.

  Marek started to respond, but she moved quickly, his breath catching in his chest as she pushed him onto his back and climbed on top of him. He reached up and took her by the hips, his eyes narrowing as she illuminated the room with her light.

  “You okay, baby?” he asked, his voice soft as emotions beckoned concern to rise within him.

  “Yeah. I just want some time with you. You’re the only one I know, and leaving you earlier felt like shit.” She slid her hands under his black button-down shirt, her fingernails scraping his skin.

  He groaned and pressed his hips forward as his fingers tightened on her. “Fuck, Jaz. We need to get up or I’m going to strip you bare and take my time making sure you feel better.”

  She laughed before crawling off him. “I don’t know what’s up with me. I can’t decide if a cheeseburger or you fucking me mercilessly sounds better. Can I have both?”

  “Hell yes.” Marek walked around the bed and pulled her up and into his arms. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah. I should be better tomorrow. Just a little off after getting sick.” She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her head to his chest. A knock resounded on the door behind him.

  Marek released her and flipped on the lights. He opened the door. One of their female servants stood as stiff as a board, her lip shaking subtly as she spoke.

  “The king has requested that our guest visit with him. Would you like to take her, sire, or would you like me to?”

  “I’ll do it. Thank you.” Marek closed the door and glanced over at Jaz. “Grab one of the dresses from the closet and change. Wear your hair down and remember that my father thinks you to be an all-powerful goddess. I would use that to your advantage.”

  He winked took her face into his hands. He leaned down and kissed her softly, the tenderness turning into passion quickly. Pressing his tongue deep into her mouth, all he could think of was getting the visit out of the way and getting her some food.

  After that, she was his for a long night.

  Chapter 29

  Jazmine let out a shaky breath as she moved to the closet. The last thing on her mind was dressing up, but Marek was right. It was important for her to make a good impression on his father and thereby gain a bit of respect from the ruler. She was going to be staying a few days on his planet and would be requesting access to his archives. That wasn’
t something she would take lightly, so she highly doubted he would as well.

  She needed him in her corner for access to the information she was after if nothing else.

  Surely, the oldest creatures in all of the realms would have quite a substantial library. They had to. She smiled at the questions that fluttered across her mind, the realization that she and Marek had yet to really dig into each other rolling over her. She wanted to know him—to know about him.

  Picking a long, silky, cream-colored dress, Jazmine slipped into it and found a pair of slip-on sandals that accented the outfit perfectly. She ran a brush through her hair and leaned over, pinching her cheeks and lips roughly. She needed to bring a little bit of color to her face so she wouldn’t look so sickly.

  Hopefully, Nojan’s scan would come back with nothing more than a passing fit of food poisoning. That was already resolved as was apparent by the loud grumbling of her stomach.

  She turned to her side as worry rose inside of her. Her stomach was slightly raised, the bump almost looking like she was in the first stages of pregnancy. Had to be the food poisoning. It had created a gas bubble and now she was bloated.

  “Great. Horrible timing.” She turned and walked out of the restroom, enjoying the way Marek’s eyes darkened as she approached. He was gorgeous and she still felt lightheaded at the thought of him wanting to spend time with her, share his body with her, take control of her.

  “You look breathtaking.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. He breathed in deeply and brushed his lips along her jaw, licking at her mouth, which sent her imagination to places that would be less than comfortable in the presence of his parents.

  Jazmine needed more of him, but the king was waiting for her. Wrapping her arms around his thick neck, she slid her fingers into his hair and molded herself to the front of him. The swell of his chest pressed against hers as his arms tightened and he leaned down to devour her mouth again.