By the time they got back outside, her heart was a confused maelstrom of gratitude, excitement, and dread, because there was still that odd look in Zavir’s eyes. They walked side by side through the garden, Zavir clearly preoccupied. In a quiet corner, he pulled her into the shade of a tree with branches that reached the ground. Covered with purple flowers that smelled sweet, they formed a heavy curtain. Hummingbirds were gathering nectar from the flowers. Their wings made a pleasant buzzing sound. It was like being in a natural dome made of flowers and birds, but the wonder of it was dampened by the doom on Zavir’s face.
“Liv…” He searched her eyes. “There’s a reason I arranged for you to join the study program.”
She had to admit, it had come as a huge surprise. “I was going to ask.”
He inhaled and exhaled slowly. “You can’t leave Lenkarda.”
What was he getting at? “Yes, I know.”
“You’re like us, now. You’re not going to age like a human. It’s not something we can broadcast to the rest of the world.”
Biting her lip, she decided to bring up the difficult subject still tainting the air between them. “Can I travel?” she asked hopefully. “Will I be allowed to visit my brothers?”
“Yes.”
Her pulse quickened. It sounded too good to be true. “I’m no longer a prisoner?”
Sadness swept over his handsome features. “No.”
He didn’t seem happy. Did he still prefer to lock her in after everything that had happened? Didn’t he know she’d never run again?
“Zavir, I–”
“Shh.” He pressed two fingers on her lips. “Let me finish. This is hard for me to say.”
That feeling of doom that emanated from him started to seep into her heart. She leaned against the trunk, not sure her legs would hold her weight for what he had to say.
Framing her face with his palms, he stared deep into her eyes. “This is how it all started.” He smiled, but it wasn’t a joyful gesture. “Against a tree.”
She couldn’t stand the tension any longer. “Just say it.”
Taking her hand, he wiggled the ring from her finger.
“What are you doing?” she cried softly, staring at him in confusion.
His fist closed around the ring so hard his knuckles turned white. He hardly ever blinked, but he did so now. Taking a deep breath, he dropped his hands at his sides and took a step away from her. “I’m letting you go.”
The words were shards of glass in her heart. “You are?”
“You’re free.”
“I’m no longer your charl?”
His voice turned hard. “There’ll be no party, no announcement.”
Tears blurred her vision. Her chest shrunk, becoming too small to contain her heart. “What you told Xita is true, then.”
He frowned. “What?” His eyes flared. “No.”
She swallowed, needing a moment to find her composure. “Then I don’t understand.”
“I’m letting you go because I love you too much to keep you. It’s what you wanted, isn’t it? Your freedom.”
Her heart stilled. For a moment there was nothing but the knowledge, and then it started beating again. Happier.
“I can’t give you the freedom you knew before,” he continued, “as you’re an immortal now. You’ll stay here, and…” He seemed to wrestle with the words before forcing them out. “And another Krinar can take you as charl.”
“You love me,” she whispered.
He bowed his head, but his strong shoulders remained proud. His smile still had that nostalgic sadness to it, but a hint of the cockiness she’d gotten used to slipped in. “How did you guess?”
“A woman doesn’t get a declaration stronger than the one you just gave.”
“You were right. I’m a devil. I knew from the first moment I saw you I was going to keep you. All I ever wanted was to protect you–you know that, right?–but what Korum said is true.”
“Korum?”
“He said you’ve proven you’re capable of taking care of yourself, and that I’m an overprotective, possessive, obnoxious, and jealous male.”
“Yes,” she reached up to cup his face. “You’re all that.” She smiled through her tears. “And he’s a good one to talk.”
Gripping her fingers, he moved her hand away. His tone turned urgent. “I’m giving you this one chance only. Run, Liv. Get away from me.”
She shook her head.
“What are you waiting for, kitten? Go.”
“No.”
He seemed torn, confused. “What do you mean, no?”
“I choose to stay.”
“Here? At Lenkarda?”
“Wherever you’re staying.”
“Liv, what are you saying?”
“I want to be with you, Zavir, because I choose to be. If you’ll still have me, I want to be your charl, your lover, however you’ll have me.”
A spectrum of emotions flickered through his eyes. “Do you mean that?”
“I’ve never meant anything more.”
Grabbing her in his arms, he crushed her to his chest. “If you choose to be mine,” he said in a raw voice, “I’ll never let you go. You have to understand that.”
“I won’t let you go, either. You’re mine.”
“You’re right.” He pulled away to look at her. “From the very start.”
She held out her palm. “You have something that belongs to me.”
Putting her at arm’s length, he shook his head.
“Zavir?” Didn’t he want her to wear his ring?
Without breaking their gaze, he went down on one knee.
“Oh, my God.” She covered her mouth, staring at the beautiful, dangerous man who was kneeling at her feet, his eyes like an open book with affection written in them for everyone to see.
“Liv Madson, will you please do me the honor of accepting this ring?”
“Oh, my God.” It was the most beautiful moment of her life. No, scrap that. She couldn’t choose. Every moment with him was beautiful.
“Liv?” he said, reminding her he was waiting for her answer.
“Yes,” she breathed. “Oh, my God. Yes.”
His face glowed with the satisfied male possession she’d come to associate with her K. “Give me your hand.”
She held out her trembling fingers.
Gently, he pushed the ring over her ring finger. “There.” He studied her hand, seeming mighty pleased with himself. “That’s better.” When he looked back at her, his expression was more intense than she’d ever seen. “Liv Madson, will you do me the honor of being my charl?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, Zavir. Nothing will make me happier.”
Something like relief washed over his features, as if she’d turn him down. Getting to his feet, he drew her to his chest. “This,” he said, brushing his lips over her ear, “is the most beautiful gift you could ever give me.”
She went on tiptoes to put her arms around his neck and pull his head down to hers. Their lips collided in a desperate and hungry kiss. His growl made the little birds fly up in the air. Her moan replaced the humming of their wings as he gripped her hair to tilt her head to the side. His tongue was warm on her skin, his mouth searing on her neck as he kissed a path to her shoulder and back. The gentleness of his kisses contrasted with the firm hold he kept on her hair. His free hand found the curve of her breast, stroking softly.
Flicking his thumb over her nipple, he pulled back to gauge her reaction. What he saw in her eyes had to have pleased him. He rewarded her with the most tender of kisses while his breathing turned harsh and his hands frantic as he let go of her hair to flip up her skirt and move her underwear aside. She was dazed, intoxicated by his touch, only barely registering that he was lifting her leg around his waist.
“I need you,” she said into the kiss.
“I know.” He nipped her bottom lip. “I’ll make it better.”
A ripping noise sounded, and then the head of his cock
nudged at her folds. She opened her eyes to look at him. His face was ruggedly handsome, his expression raw. Intertwining their fingers, he pressed her palms against the trunk above her head, reading her with intense concentration as he slowly penetrated her.
His breath whispered over her lips. “I love watching your face when I take you.”
“Then watch.”
He chuckled. “Always such a brave girl.” He pressed deeper. “I intend to.”
She gasped when he slid all the way in. A few thrusts, and she was falling apart. Her need was fierce.
“Give me what I want, kitten.”
“What do you want?”
“Your pleasure. Your screams. You.”
She fought not to let her head fall back, letting him see what he was doing to her when he started to move. She didn’t care that they were in a garden, protected by mere flowers and leaves. He tilted his hips, changing the angle of his penetration. The pleasure he demanded from her started to build. It was near. It was so intense it was frightening.
“Too much,” she cried on a whisper.
“Everything you feel, I feel, too.” He accentuated the declaration with a roll of his hips. “It’s the same for me, Liv.”
He let go of her hands to weave his fingers through her hair. He dragged her closer for a kiss, burning her with his lips at the same time as a fire detonated in her lower body. The orgasm crippled her, rendering her knees weak, but she wasn’t the only one. His climax ripped through him, and for the briefest of moments, there was a slight tremor to the big, powerful guardian’s legs.
Burying his head in her neck, he caught his breath.
Not ready to let him go, she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him close and inside her. She wanted him to tell her this was real and not a fantasy or hopeful dream.
“Tell me something beautiful,” she whispered.
“I love you, kitten.”
A happy purr resonated from the depths of her chest. Was there anything more perfect he could say?
Epilogue
The crowd hadn’t dispersed yet when Liv and Zavir exited the tent in which they’d celebrated his victory. She brushed the gravel from her knees, embarrassed to think the spectators knew what they’d been doing. Applause sounded from the arena. She was still too stressed to rejoice. She’d thought she’d die when a rival for the position of Protector had insulted and challenged Zavir for a fight. The fight had been gruesome, but at least the rival lived. She was glad Zavir hadn’t killed him, even if she feared how this would influence their future working relationship among the guardians.
Zavir brought her hand to his mouth. His look was possessive as he planted a tender kiss in her palm. “You’re mine, Liv.”
“I am.” Her chest felt so light from relief she could drift to heaven. “In fact, I think I’ve always been.”
“You think?” he teased. “I may have to challenge that tonight until it’s a deep-sated knowledge.”
Some of the spectators came up to congratulate him, cutting his suggestive banter short. Zavir had been very positive about the outcome of the challenge, insisting they celebrate their engagement party after the fight, where he planned to introduce her as his charl to the world. Even now, as Korum placed a palm on his shoulder in greeting, Zavir’s dark eyes gleamed with a little of the savageness left over from the violent battle. Mia said something sympathetic about understanding what Liv had been going through. It was overwhelming, and she was grateful for Zavir’s strong grip on her hand.
When they once more advanced to the floating hall where the reception was about to take place, Anita rushed up to them, pushing Ks and humans out of her way. “Wow, look at you. You look so happy.” She looked Zavir over. “You both do.”
“We are.” Liv meant it with all her soul. She knew Zavir felt the same. They were so in touch with each other’s feelings. He said it was the bond.
“Now that the last of the Resistance members who were part of Xita’s cell have been detained,” Anita said, “I suppose you’ll be home more often, Zavir.”
His eyes danced as he glanced at Liv. “That’s the plan.”
“There’s word Mia and Korum are leaving for Krina.”
“They are?” Liv looked at her cheren.
“I don’t know why,” Wian said, “but I have a feeling things are about to change.”
“Change how?” Liv asked.
“It’s not common knowledge,” Anita replied, “but Mia is taking her family to Krina to meet the Elders.”
This was huge. Every K and charl knew the Elders never met with anyone. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for all mankind.
Alir, the leader of the guardians, stepped forward to offer his congratulations. “I don’t want to darken the mood of such a special event, but I thought you’d like to know that we found Juan, the man who’d betrayed Liv.”
Next to her, Zavir tensed. “Where is he?”
Alir’s gaze was hard. “Dead. The body was dumped in the jungle.”
Liv shivered.
Zavir pulled her closer. “What happened?”
“A friend said the last time he saw him he was going to claim a reward for information on a traitor in the Resistance. We pulled the information from a Resistance fighter’s memory at the memory bank. He never made it out of the Resistance camp. The minute he left their leaders’ office, a soldier was waiting. He slit his throat.”
Liv clamped a hand over her mouth. She still couldn’t believe this of Hans, who’d grown up in her town, in her street.
“Good,” Zavir said. “At least I don’t have to hunt him down and kill him.”
“Zavir,” Liv said on a gasp.
He kissed her lips. “No more talk about this. Today is a day for celebrating only.”
He nodded at Alir, who said a few more words of praise about Zavir’s excellent defreb moves before excusing himself.
“Come.” Zavir pulled on her hand. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet before the party starts.”
They went ahead of their guests to the hall that was decorated in Krina style with shimmering walls, hovering floats, exotic flowers, and a transparent floor. In the middle, a table of honor was set. Zavir led her to a plank and seated her before placing a virtual reality node on her temple. In a flash, they were standing in front of a Krinar dwelling. She could tell from the heat and strange vegetation they weren’t in Lenkarda.
She looked up at Zavir. “Where are we?”
“This is my parents’ house.”
“On Krina?” she exclaimed.
His smile was indulgent, as if he found her reaction amusing. “Yes, kitten.”
When he moved forward, she held him back. “Wait. I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
He raised a brow.
“What if they don’t like me?” she asked nervously.
He gave her a chaste kiss. “There’s nothing not to like. Trust me.”
“How will we communicate? I don’t speak Krinar.”
His smile turned into a grin, as if he knew she was stalling for time. “I implanted a chip.”
Her cheeks grew warm at the crude, non-tech description he was using to remind her of their first meeting. At least she had the presence of mind to act agitated. “When?”
He bowed low, letting his wicked smile brush her lips. “When you were passed out last night after I bit you.”
“Oh.” The heat in her face intensified when she recalled how loud she’d been screaming. Thank goodness the Lenkarda dwellings were far apart. Although, with the Krinar’s enhanced hearing one never knew. No, best not go there.
“Come.” He gave her hand a gentle tug.
The wall disintegrated as they approached. A stunning woman with black hair and a man who had a strong resemblance to Zavir waited inside. As they entered, the woman gave her a broad smile.
“You must be Liv. Welcome. We’re delighted to finally meet you. I’m Vilna, and this is Arman.”
The man inclined h
is head in greeting.
Liv could indeed understand them. It was foreign and exhilarating, putting her slightly off-balance, but she soon discovered that Zavir’s parents were kind and accommodating, going out of their way to put her at ease. Her tenseness evaporated, and before long she was enjoying an animated conversation about Krinar medicine and life in Lenkarda.
“I’m truly happy for the two of you,” Vilna said after some time had passed, brushing her knuckles over Liv’s cheek. “I hope you’ll visit us soon again.”
“I’d love that,” Liv said, meaning it. Vilna was gentle and caring, and Arman had an unexpected and very pleasing dry sense of humor.
After saying their greetings and taking their leave, they were back at their float in the great hall, which was now filled with human and Krinar guests.
Karl and Erik came up to them.
“Thanks for the invitation,” Karl said, pressing a palm on Zavir’s shoulder.
“Thank you for coming,” Zavir said, taking Liv’s hand under the float.
Erik followed suit in the traditional greeting. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” He looked at Liv’s white dress. “You look gorgeous. Happy. Like you deserve.”
“Thank you.” She was nervous, knowing many Krinar on Krina were watching the event, like they’d been watching the fight in the arena. Both Zavir and his parents had a high standing in the Krinar society, hence many attended. She wasn’t sure she liked being in the spotlight, especially since some journalists had also been invited to cover the event. Tomorrow, the fact that she–previously a member of one of the largest Resistance cells, turned informant–accepted becoming Zavir’s charl would be big news.
When her brothers had taken their seats, strange music filled the hall. At first, it sounded like a mixture of discorded instruments, but soon the melody started pulsing in her veins.
“What’s happening?” she asked Zavir.
The Krinar's Informant Page 18
