by Hope Hart
I laugh, and we walk down the hill and into the marketplace. Now that I’ve been here a few times, I’m not so overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. Sarissa seems to know everyone, lifting her hand in greeting as people call her name. A blue man with thick horns calls out something in a language my translator doesn’t recognize, and Sarissa responds in the same language with a laugh.
I stare at her. “Who are you?”
She grins but pretends to zip her lips, pointing me toward the stall we need to visit. I dodge people with fur, scales, and horns, continually shocked at how many seem to recognize my cousin.
“Ah, I wondered if you might return today,” the Braxian woman says when we arrive at her kradi.
Sarissa smiles at her. “Pariv. Nice to see you. Any luck?”
Pariv nods and gestures to the kradi, where a man covered in green scales is talking to the other Braxian vendor. My heart races in anticipation as Pariv calls to him, and he turns, his yellow gaze examining us.
“This is Bacar,” Pariv says before excusing herself to attend to another customer.
Bacar steps closer to us. “You are the humans looking for the part for your thruster.”
“Yes,” Sarissa says.
“The part from an S23 thruster, typically only flown by two races in the galaxy, the Thracias and the Dokhalls?”
Sarissa’s gaze turns frosty. “Is there a problem?”
He smiles, and I tense. “No problem. Just ensuring I have the correct information.”
They gaze at each other for a long moment, and his smile widens as he displays sharp, pointed teeth.
I clear my throat. “Is the part available?”
Bacar nods, never taking his eyes off Sarissa. I shiver. Something tells me that Bacar will sell us out to anyone he can at any moment.
The sooner we get off this planet, the better.
Arix’s face flashes in front of my eyes, and I push it away, focusing on Bacar as he turns and strides back into the kradi. He returns a moment later with the piece we need, and Sarissa compares it to the broken piece in her hand.
Identical.
Except for the large crack in the one Sarissa is holding, of course.
“Perfect,” Sarissa says. “How much do we owe you?”
They begin negotiating, and I turn as someone taps me on the shoulder.
A large man stands behind me, the sun highlighting the thick fur covering his shoulders. He reminds me of a Zinta, except his features are closer to a Braxian’s.
“Can I help you?”
He nods. “Yes. And I believe I can help you.”
Sarissa finishes up with Bacar and leans close. “What exactly do you want?”
“I have information you need. About a certain chip.”
I feel Sarissa go still next to me, although her face stays blank.
“We’re listening.”
“Not here,” the furry man says, glancing over our shoulders, where our guards are likely hanging out. “What I need to tell you must be kept secret. Those guards will ensure that anything I say reaches the commander’s ears.”
The man shivers. Obviously the commander has a reputation amongst the people here.
“One of us can distract the guards,” Sarissa mutters, and I glance at her.
“Are you sure about this?”
“He said he has information about the chip. We have the thruster, but Alexis said we may not get out of here without the control chip, remember? At the very least, we can hear him out.” She frowns at him. “But no funny business.”
The man nods as if unconcerned, but his hands are trembling.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” I mumble.
“I’ve got this,” Sarissa says. She waves her hand casually—a gesture she’s used since we were kids. That gesture was always followed by something that would definitely get her put in the naughty corner. “You go listen to this guy, and I’ll distract the guards.”
“What? Shouldn’t I distract the guards?”
She snorts. “They know you’re boning the king. Your dumb blonde routine isn’t going to work. They’ll be too terrified of pissing off Arix.”
The man’s eyes widen at that, and I sigh.
“Fine.”
Sarissa disappears, and I can instantly see some kind of commotion out the corner of my eye.
I turn to the furry man. “What’s your name?”
He hesitates. “Varge.”
Obviously that name is fake, but I shrug. “Talk.”
He tilts his head, gesturing for me to follow him to the edge of the market and behind a tree. “We have access to the control chip you need.”
I frown. “How? The Dokhalls took it with them.”
“Not that one. The control chip is not unique to the ship and can be easily replaced. My contact has located another chip from a retired Dokhall ship on his planet. He can get it to you within days.”
I narrow my eyes at him. I suddenly feel like I’m going to throw up, dread sitting like a stone in my stomach.
“In exchange for what?”
Varge grins at me. “In exchange for helping us remove the king from his throne.”
Chapter Nine
Arix
“They took the bait,” Korzyn mutters, and I ignore the way my chest tightens. I knew the human females would be approached, and I knew they would do whatever it took to get off this planet. So why is my blood heating in fury, betrayal sharp as a knife in my chest at the thought of Vivian setting me up?
I swing my sword in my hand, nodding for him to pull his own. My men have already completed their own training for the day, and I’m getting a late start.
“What happened?”
Korzyn slides his sword free. “They were approached at the marketplace, as we figured they would be. Sarissa pretended to collapse, and the guards attended her, allowing Vivian to speak to the messenger.”
“Who was it?”
“Likiz, although he sometimes goes by the name Varge. He is well known as a messenger amongst various groups. He deals in information as well.”
I nod, ignoring the rage that burns through my veins. I don’t know who I am angrier with—the traitors that would dare offer Vivian everything she wants in exchange for her betrayal, or Vivian herself for taking the deal.
“I’m…sorry, Arix.”
I glance at Korzyn. To his credit, he looks genuinely sympathetic.
I shrug. “It was your idea to make it known exactly why the human females were here and what they needed to be able to fly their ship. We knew this would happen.”
“Yes, but it is still a betrayal.”
“These females are loyal to each other. Even if Vivian chose not to betray me for herself, she would still ensure that the other females could get off this planet. Do we know if they accepted?”
“The females were arguing the entire way back to their rooms, although they kept their voices low. Even if they choose not to accept now, it’s only a matter of time before they agree.”
Logically, I know this. If they don’t agree to a deal for the chip, my enemies will likely have one of them kidnapped and held hostage to force the other to do what they want. Still, the knowledge burns.
It’s ironic. The same devotion to her people and commitment to her convictions would make her an excellent queen.
Instead, she’s attempting to kill a king.
I grit my teeth and nod at Korzyn, who swings at me, the power in his arm sending shock waves up my sword and into my arm as I meet his blade with my own.
I lose myself in the fight, pushing away thoughts of the female who steals my focus.
Vivian
Arix is in one hell of a mood. He’s pacing my room like an angry tiger, while I stand in front of my bed, watching him.
I’m tired—both physically and emotionally—after my day at the marketplace.
I frown at Arix. “You want to talk about it?”
“No.”
He can’t know I was appro
ached at the market—can he? I wouldn’t put it past the commander to have put extra spies on us, but I know for sure there was no one within hearing distance when I was talking to the furry man.
Even if he knows I talked to someone, he won’t know what was said.
The thought of betraying Arix makes me nauseous again. I can barely look at him as his words run through my head on a loop.
“My kingdom has its faults, and while I try to improve it every day, it will always be a work in progress. But if someone were to take it from me, I would not rest until I had taken it back. My father would expect nothing less.”
The man promised that Arix wouldn’t get hurt. But some things hurt worse than physical pain.
Betrayal is one of those things.
Arix’s face is like stone. For whatever reason, seeing him like this makes me want to soothe him. I don’t quite understand this new urge, but I shrug, swinging my legs to the side and sliding off the bed as I get to my feet.
“You know…you promised to make me scream with pleasure on a daily basis,” I remind him. He whispered those words in my ear while languidly thrusting inside me just a few days ago.
He turns and tilts his head as he studies me. “You have complaints?”
He asks the question as if the idea is ludicrous, and I almost laugh. I’ve never been overly interested in arrogant men. I worked with some of the most attractive men on Earth when I was a model, and most of them were all ego and no real substance.
So why does Arix’s arrogance make me wet?
“All I’m saying is you haven’t fulfilled your duties today,” I say. His eyes flare at the word duties, as I knew they would, and he prowls my way.
“I’m going to make you beg,” he hisses at me, and I tense.
“Not fucking likely.”
“Oh, lovely, you just ensured it.”
I frown at him, but he continues advancing on me in a way that makes me feel stalked, his huge body moving like a panther.
I blink, and he’s in front of me, reaching into my dress and cupping my breast. My mouth drops open, and he doesn’t hesitate, taking my mouth in a deep, claiming kiss. I whimper against him, and he growls in response, running his thumb along my nipple until it’s hard and aching. He touches me with ferocious urgency until I’m desperate for him.
How does he always make me feel this way? Like my skin is too tight for my body? Like I’d get on my knees for him, beg him to put his hands on me?
He gentles his lips, brushing them against mine over and over again. I reach up and bury my hand in his hair, pulling him closer, insistently. He chuckles against my mouth, turning his attention to my other nipple, and I groan as he pinches it lightly between his fingers.
His other hand is busy with the strings of my dress, and within moments, cool air hits my chest as he pushes it off my shoulders.
It falls to the floor, and I’m standing in front of him, naked.
His gaze feels like a brand as he stares at me. Then my head spins as I’m suddenly in his arms. He ignores my yelp and strides toward my bed, groaning as he lets me go, and I bounce, my boobs practically hitting me in the face. He’s stripping off his clothes like they’re on fire, and I push up onto my elbows so I can watch the show.
His body should be illegal. I run my eyes over his pecs and huge shoulders—not to mention the eight-pack that makes my fingers itch to touch.
“I don’t get it; don’t you sit around on your throne all day? How the hell do you look like that?”
He steps out of his pants, and then he’s crawling up the bed until he’s leaning over me. “I train with my guards every morning. It is a foolish king who relies on others to protect him.”
His face hardens, and I reach up, stroking away his frown. He looks surprised for a second, and then he’s leaning down, his tongue stroking against mine as I sigh against his mouth.
Within moments, he’s lowering his mouth to my nipples and tonguing them, biting them, driving me crazy with want.
I clamp my mouth shut. Do not beg him.
He meets my eyes, takes my nipple into his mouth, and sucks, running his tongue against it until I want to scream.
Two can play at this game.
I moan, rubbing against him, attempting to convince him to push inside me.
He chuckles, moving away, kissing down my stomach, his hands firm and unyielding as he pushes my thighs apart. He gives me one long stroke of his tongue before plunging it inside while circling my clit with one fingertip.
Holy shit.
He brushes his finger against my wetness, moving it down, beneath my cheeks. I tense, and he moves his tongue to my clit, setting up a smooth rhythm that’s guaranteed to drive me crazy. He strokes with that finger, and I open my mouth to tell him we are definitely not going anywhere near brown town, but he pokes the tip of his finger inside, his teeth scraping at my clit, and I explode from within, groaning as I twist against him, my entire body shaking.
He grins up at me as I blink at him, and then he lowers his head and begins again.
I’m incoherent within moments, too sensitive as I push him away and pull him close at the same time. He waits until I’m on the edge, and then he’s moving his way up my body, positioning himself at my entrance and slowly pushing inside me.
My eyes roll back in my head, and he gives a low laugh, but it’s tight, and his body is shaking as he slowly works his length into me. I raise my legs higher, spreading wide, my hands moving to his butt as I urge him on.
He doesn’t hesitate, plunging into me. He hits my cervix, and I squeak. He freezes, then moves one hand down, strumming my clit as he angles his hips, thrusting again.
Oh my God.
I moan, and it seems to spur him on because he grinds against me, hitting my G-spot. There’s no way I’m going to come again. Once was awesome, but twice? I highly doubt it.
“Ready to beg?”
I shake my head, but I’m already trembling around him, somehow on the edge of another orgasm. This one feels like it could be even better than the last.
He leans down, and his tongue thrusts into my mouth like he’s conquering it, removing the taste of anyone who isn’t him.
He slows down.
“What are you doing?”
“Beg me.”
“Are you kidding?”
He winks at me. “I want to make sure you know exactly who is making you feel this way. Ask me to let you come. And make sure you say my name.”
He spears into me, and I clamp down, about to teeter on the edge. I angle my hips, attempting to grind against him, and he gives me a patronizing look. He’s sweating though, and it’s evident he’s barely holding back himself.
So why play these games?
I almost snort. Because everything between us is a game. We can’t seem to help ourselves.
I won’t let him win.
He smiles, as if reading my mind, and he reaches down, stroking one finger over my clit, making me gasp.
“Damn you!”
“Who is making you feel this way, lovely?”
“You are.”
“Say my name.”
“Arix…”
He tenses against me, growling, and then he’s plunging into me, pushing me over into a climax that rips through me as I throw my head back and moan out his name.
He leans down, nips my ear, and empties himself inside me.
Arix
I’m sprawled in Vivian’s bed, staring up at the ceiling. Vivian is relaxed and warm against me, slumped over my chest, her breathing even.
I have my own spies, who are currently hunting the Dokhalls as we speak. Korzyn has made it known that any Zintas found colluding with the Dokhalls will be considered enemies of my kingdom.
A small part of me wants to find the chip Vivian needs so badly just so I can destroy it in front of her.
Her betrayal hurts more than most.
She nuzzles against my chest, and I raise my hand, stroking her soft, silky hair.
She shifts against me with a groan. “Sleepy.”
I can’t help but smile. “I want to know you.”
She sighs but lifts her head, pushing her hair off her face. “There’s not much to know, really. I’m not exactly close with my parents—”
“Why?” As someone who has no parents, it is difficult to understand why someone would choose not to make the most of any time they have with them.
Vivian studies my face. “You won’t understand.”
“Tell me anyway.”
She sighs and lays her head back on my chest. “My mother is a socialite. When I grew up, she was like one of the women in your court, I guess. Constantly at parties and dinners, all in an attempt to be seen with the right people. My father was a partner at a law firm, and he was never home. It was well known that he was constantly having affairs, and he didn’t care enough to be discreet about it. This made my mom desperate for a distraction. She needed somewhere to focus her attention, and I was the convenient choice.”
“Affair?”
“Sleeping with women who weren’t my mother.”
I frown. These human men would dishonor their mates this way?
Vivian sighs. “I was an adorable kid. At least that’s what all the adults around me said. I was conventionally cute. Blonde hair, blue eyes, but most importantly, I was well-behaved. That’s what they’re really looking for in the industry when it comes to little kids. They need a fast turnaround and kids that can follow directions. So my modeling and acting career took off, and my mom became my manager. Unfortunately, I can’t act my way out of a paper bag, and there’s only so far looks can take you in life.”
I frown. “It sounds as if your mother was living her life through you.”
She nods. “As an adult, I can look back now and see what my mom was doing. When I fell in line with her plans, when I was the perfect daughter, I was rewarded with her attention. It was fleeting though. And I don’t remember her ever telling me I was smart. Once, I had a nanny who told me I could go to college one day. My mother almost fired her on the spot. She said I wouldn’t need college because I would be too busy traveling the world as a model. She was horrified when my breasts became too large for me to fit the sample sizes. And she’s barely looked at me since the day I told her I wouldn’t be getting a reduction.”
