Spear's Search

by N. J. Walters

  “It doesn’t matter what you see or don’t see. Answer my question?”

  She pressed her lips together. Beside her, Spear stirred. Would he do something stupid? Maybe get himself in trouble? Maybe this was to hurt him. And that, she wouldn’t do.

  “No, of course not.” The lie almost choked her. “I barely know him.” She couldn’t look at him or she’d lose it.

  “Then his fate matters not to you.” The king raised a weapon and fired.

  “No!” She threw herself at Spear, who dropped his visor, caught her, and whirled around so he took the shot in the back, grunting as his battlesuit absorbed the blow. His big body surrounded her, protecting her.

  He slowly straightened, putting her on her feet in front of him.

  The king inclined his head. “So you don’t care about him at all?”

  Fury blasted through her, shoving all good sense aside. She stalked toward the king. Dozens of blasters were drawn, but the king raised his hand.

  He might be sorry he called off the dogs before this was over. “You have one son missing so you try to kill another.” What kind of father did that? Where was the loyalty? Hands on her hips, to keep herself from drawing down on the man, she glared at him.

  “Do you love him?”

  Frustration and fear spewed forth. “Yes. It doesn’t make any sense, but yes. And I know I’m an outsider, so it doesn’t matter. He’s royalty. I’m nobody.”

  Spear’s hands came around her and he pulled her back against him. “You’re everything. To me.”

  All her anger bled from her body. He was claiming her, here, in front of them all.

  “Do you take him?” the king demanded.

  Spear’s hands tightened, as though he expected her to repudiate his claim. And why wouldn’t he? She’d already lied.

  Turning her back on the king, which was a supremely stupid thing to do, she faced Spear. “I lied to protect you.” It was important he understand that.

  “I know.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “But do you love me? Do you take me as yours for as long as we live?”

  “I do.” She couldn’t lie to him, not now. “Even if we only have another minute together.” Which seemed likely.

  “I love you, my kismara. And I’ll take you for as long as we live.” The vow sank into her heart, healing all the wounds of the past and making it whole. She didn’t know what kismara meant, but it sounded important and intimate. She liked that.

  He lowered his head. She went up on her toes, longing for his kiss. It might be the last one. Before their lips met, the king cleared his throat, interrupting the moment. On a sigh, they parted.

  “I will give my ruling.” He drew himself up, seeming to grow larger right in front of her. She could see her Spear in him, in his proud bearing and determination. “My son has chosen.”

  Chosen? Chosen what?

  A silent ripple went through the legion of soldiers. As one, they slapped a fisted hand against their chests and went down on one knee.

  What was going on?

  She risked a glance at Spear. He looked supremely satisfied.

  The soldiers all stood at battle-readiness once again, all eyes on her. Heat crept up her face and her hands itched to hold a weapon. Any weapon.

  “I don’t understand.”

  Spear cupped her face in his hands. “It’s simple. Under Gravasian law, you just married me.”

  “Wait. What?” They were married.

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “You said you loved me and you accepted me in the presence of the king. That is all that is necessary.”

  Zaxe coughed. Was he laughing? He was. And Delphi was grinning from ear to ear. Traitors.

  “I don’t understand. How can we be married? I can’t be a wife.” Appalled, she grabbed his arms and shook him. “What have you done?”

  “You’re the perfect wife for me.” He spoke low, his mouth pressed against her ear, keeping their conversation between them. “Do you think I could take another after having you? That I would? You’re perfect for me.”

  She couldn’t speak. Her eyes filled and a single tear spilled over the side. “Don’t let them see,” she whispered. If she lost it, she’d cry as she hadn’t since she was a child. That would ruin her hardass reputation.

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek, the gesture tender and loving. He also licked away the salty tear from her face.

  “Come and greet my father. Your father now.”

  “Oh, gods.” She had a father. When she turned, he was watching, a pleased expression on his face. It wasn’t a smile, just a slight tilting of his lips and a gleam in his eyes. She could see Spear in him. “Think you’re clever, don’t you?” Where she got the courage to speak to him like that, she wasn’t sure. The words spilled out.

  “I know I am. Just ask my wife.”

  “My mother will love you,” Spear told her.

  “Your mother?” Her knees went weak.

  “And my siblings and their wives and children,” Spear continued.

  She glanced over her shoulder. The ship was right there. Could she blast through the hull of the battleship and make a run for it.

  Before she could make good on her idea, Spear scooped her into his arms. “We will see you later.” He gave his father a nod and carried her across the deck, the guards parting to let them through. Their faces were covered, but she could imagine their smirks under the visors.

  “Put me down,” she ordered.

  “No.” He tightened his hold on her. “I’m never letting you go.”

  “I’ll get your siblings settled,” the king called. “After all, they’re family now.”

  Family. The word settled all the turmoil inside her. Artemis was dead, the threat of her gone. The path before her was unknown, but she wasn’t alone.

  There was one thing she needed to know. “What does kismara mean?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  His father had tricked Sass into marrying Spear. By declaring herself in front of the king and all those assembled, the marriage was legally binding.

  Sass was his.

  But his satisfaction was tempered by uncertainty. Did she really want him?

  “Don’t ever throw yourself in the path of a blaster again.” Seeing her flying at him as his father fired, his heart had almost erupted from his chest.

  She poked her finger in his shoulder. “It was instinct.”

  The door to his chamber opened when he stood in front of it and closed as he stepped inside. For the first time since they’d stepped off his ship to rescue her siblings, they were alone.

  He released her legs, letting her stand. “I’m wearing a battlesuit.”

  She huffed out a breath and dragged her fingers through her hair. “Right. Next time, I’ll let whoever wants to shoot you have a clear target. Happy?”

  “Are you?” he countered. Nervousness was a totally unfamiliar emotion.

  “You didn’t answer my question.” She sat on the edge of his bed, crossed her legs, and swung the one on top, appearing completely relaxed.

  He wasn’t buying it.

  “Kismara?” He removed his weapons before stripping off his shirt and tossing it aside. His boots followed.

  “Yes.” There was a strain in her voice that hadn’t been there before. Her eyes were glued to his chest. He managed not to smile as he removed his pants, leaving him in his battlesuit.

  He pulled the body armor open and shoved it down, leaving his torso bare. She licked her lips, her eyes glazing over slightly.

  His cock was threatening to punch through the impermeable material. His arms ached to hold her and his hands craved the slide of her smooth skin beneath them. He hungered for her mouth.

  Not stopping, he shoved the suit over his hips and down his legs, kicking it aside. Naked, he went to her. She uncrossed her legs as he went to his knees before her. Her breath was coming hard and fast, her cheeks flushed.

  He shoved her jacket aside. It slid to the floor with a h
eavy clunk. With nimble fingers, he opened the shirt and pushed it aside. Her breasts rose and fell, the nipples were tight nubs, begging to be tasted.

  But first…

  He placed his hand over her heart, letting the heavy throb sync his own until they beat as one. “Kismara means heart.”

  Her breathing hitched.

  “It’s a term of endearment Gravasian men use only with their beloved. You are my heart.”

  She covered his hand with hers, pressing it against her skin. “You really mean that.” The wonder, the awe in her tone humbled him.

  He bowed his head. “I would lay waste to worlds for you. I would defy my king.” He raised his head, needing her to understand. “I would have fought for you.”

  She swallowed and gave a small laugh, touching the corner of her eye. It came away wet. “That’s two tears now. The only ones I’ve shed since before my mother died. I learned early that they changed nothing.”

  He brought her finger to his lips and sucked the salty drop from it. “Your tears are priceless. Worth more than water on Kalaman.” Since that was practically nonexistent, it made it as valuable and rare as her tears.

  A smile teased her lips. “That is priceless.”

  He ran his hands down her thighs and back up again until he reached the fastener of her pants. He wanted to unwrap and feast on her.

  She placed her hands over his, stopping him.

  Shoulders slumping, a sense of defeat rocked him to his core. Never would he take what was not given freely. He sat back on his heels, head bowed.

  “I wasn’t tricked into marrying you.”

  Her words were a soft caress against his ravaged heart. His head came up, a feral beast scenting his mate.

  “How could I not love you? I was trying to protect you when I denied it.” The anguish in her eyes would have brought him to his knees if he wasn’t already there. “I didn’t want you to get in any deeper trouble with your king, with your father.”

  He took her hands in his. They weren’t soft and pampered, but calloused, strong, and skilled. They’d killed and they’d offered pleasure. “You are my true mate, the only one who fully understands me, sees me as I am. You fill the darkness in my soul with your light.”

  She shook her head. “It’s the other way around. You’re the light to my darkness.”

  He shook his head. “I have been an assassin since I reached seventeen solar planetary rotations. In my world, a leader works harder than anyone. That is the path to honor, to loyalty. It is not that way in much of the universe. Many talk of honor, bragging of their accomplishments while robbing their people and filling their own pockets, using their power to abuse others.

  “A true ruler does not put profit before the people and is willing to sacrifice everything for them. That includes sons. All of us have to work harder, be better than any other man on Gravas. I have killed many in service to my country. I have no regrets. They were all people who lied and cheated and stole what was not theirs, using their power for evil intent rather than out of goodness of heart.”

  He brought her clasped hands to his lips and kissed them. “My parents, my brothers, they know what I do, but they do not understand what I am. Only you can. If you leave me, I am alone.”

  ****

  Her chest ached for him. In spite of being the son of the king, in spite of having family and the might of the Gravasian fleet behind him, he was as alone as she was.

  He needed her. The wonder of it stole her breath.

  He sat on the floor before her, baring his soul. His bravery shook her to her core. Of everything she’d ever done, this was the most difficult. It went against every instinct to allow herself to be emotionally vulnerable.

  This man was feared by the entire universe. Gravasian assassins were the best there were—ruthless, relentless, unstoppable. Yet, here he was, opening himself, offering all he was to her.

  His breath hitched, his chest expanding and contracting. He closed his eyes, tilting his head back. A lone tear seeped down his cheek.

  She pulled her hands from his and swiped her thumb across the wetness on his cheek. “What a pair we are.”

  He opened his eyes and watched her with the intensity of a hunter after prey. It actually comforted her. This was a man who would stand beside her, behind her, or in front of her—whatever was needed. Always putting her first, if she allowed it.

  She brought her thumb to her mouth and sucked it, tasting the saltiness of his tear as he had done to her. His big body shuddered.

  “Are we?” he asked.

  “A pair? Yes, we are. Who else would have us?”

  He surged up, taking her mouth with his, driving his tongue deep, tasting and claiming. But she took, too, needing the connection. They both could have died. She could have missed this.

  Sass stroked his broad shoulders and muscled biceps as he continued to kiss her with a passion that stole her breath.

  He pulled back, panting hard. “I wanted to go slow.”

  “Slow is overrated.” Eager for the slide of his skin against hers, she undid her pants and dragged them down. He was right there, helping remove them. As soon as she was naked, he lifted her legs, tipping her back so she fell against the mattress. To be wanted so badly was a gift.

  Her laugh quickly turned to a moan as he spread her legs wide, lowered his head, and licked at her core. Back arching, toes curling, she gave herself over to him. Hot kisses ran up and down the insides of her thighs. Warm breath brushed her sex. His tongue dipped and tasted, teased and took until she was a shivering mass.

  “I need you.” She ached with how badly she wanted him. Her arms were empty, her body cold without his weight covering her.

  “Soon,” he promised. He flicked the tip of his tongue over her clit. Pleasure shot through her, making her moan.

  “Don’t make me wait.” She wouldn’t beg, but if he didn’t get on with it, she’d take matters into her own hands.

  He inserted one long, thick finger into her slick channel.

  Her entire body bowed. “I thought”—her voice broke on a gasp—“you were an assassin, not a torturer…” The rest of the words trailed off into a gasp.

  He raised his head and smiled. It made him look younger, but a deadly intensity still surrounded him. It was a part of him. She understood that and wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “I’m trained for any situation.” He eased his finger out and then pushed it back in, adding a second one, stretching her.

  She reached over her head, gripping the pillow. “Payback is a bitch,” she promised.

  “Gods, I hope so.” On her strangled laugh, he dove back between her thighs, licking the damp folds, sucking on her clit.

  Her entire body was strung tight, coiling, tensing, searching for release. Then it burst upon her like a meteor shower, streaking through her faster than she could navigate. All she could do was hang on and ride it out.

  Before she could begin to come down, he surged up and over her, pushing her thighs even wider with his hips. The tip of his cock nudged her opening. “Do it,” she ordered.

  He pushed inward, foraging a deep path, stretching her until he was seated to the hilt.

  Everything inside her settled. Her inner muscles rippled over and around his shaft, her previous orgasm still sending aftershocks through her. They fit together as though they’d been created for the other.

  It was perfect.

  They were both of them flawed, killers that some would condemn, but together, they worked. It was as simple as that.

  He raised his head and flexed his hips. “Say my name.”

  “Spear.”

  His groan vibrated through her. “Say mine.”

  “Sass.” He flexed again. “Wife.”

  She gasped, caught off guard by the pronouncement. They truly were married. It was a done deal. Doubt clouded his golden eyes, shuttering the emotion in them.

  Not having that.

  “Husband,” she said, giving him what he wanted, w
hat they both needed.

  “Forever,” he vowed before running his tongue over her bottom lip. In retaliation, she dragged her nails down his back and cupped his prime ass.

  As though something inside him snapped, he began to thrust faster, taking her harder. The bed shook. Something crashed to the floor. Sass gripped him tighter, urging him on. The familiar pressure grew inside her again. So close.

  He threw back his head and roared his pleasure as he came. His cock throbbed deep in her core, setting off another orgasm, stealing her breath. She hung on to him, never wanting to let go.

  When he finally collapsed, unable to hold up his body weight any longer, he rolled to the side, taking her with him. She wished he was still inside her, but was content to sprawl half across his chest, her head pillowed over his heart.

  The only sounds beyond the mechanical air exchange were their soft gasps as their breathing returned to normal. The silence was a cocoon around them, shielding them from the outside world.

  Spear brushed his fingers over her shoulder and back, soothing her.

  But finally, thoughts intruded. She pushed up on one elbow. “What happens now?”

  ****

  Spear was complete in a way he’d never been before. They’d had sex but this was the first time as a mated couple. The bonds between them were strong and sure.

  “What would you like to happen?” She hadn’t had much choice in her life.

  Her frown was fierce. He found it utterly enchanting. A lock of damp hair was stuck to her forehead, so he brushed it away. She leaned into his touch, as though seeking more of it.

  They’d both of them been deprived of the softer things in life, always having to be on guard. But not here, not now, and never when they were together.

  “I honestly have no idea. I’d dreamed about getting free of Artemis but never made plans past escaping.” She shrugged. “Assumed I’d figure it out as I went.” She stroked his chest, making his cock twitch. “I never once imagined you.”

  He caught her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing his lips against her palm. “And I never dreamed I’d find a woman like you.”

  “An assassin without even a name of her own?”