Reckoning

by KD Jones

  After quickly running through the corridor and releasing all of the warriors, she did what he said, but she hated closing that door without knowing what was going on. What seemed like hours but was probably only minutes passed. Then she heard a code being entered, she glanced around for a weapon but only found a chair. She reached for it, just in case she needed to defend herself. She was relieved to see MarIK enter. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “OrIN and his warriors shot all four guards.” MarIK looked serious. “We’re going after them. I’m sure they’re heading to the docking bay. I need you to get hold of the medics to get help for these guards before they die and let the Commander BrAX and Lieutenant Commander LazAR know that OrIN had help getting free.”

  She followed him out of the holding area and frowned with concern. “MarIK, you don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do.” MarIK kissed her one more time before following his warriors to the lift.

  Please God and Goddess, if you’re listening watch over him, Sharon thought.

  She knelt down next to the first downed guard. He was unconscious and bleeding but still had a pulse. She took his comm link and placed on her as she ran to check the other guards. One was already dead, but the other three were still alive — barely.

  “Medic wing,” she spoke into the comm link and it connected her immediately.

  “Medic TreyES here.”

  “This is Sharon Task. I’m in the holding cell area and I have three injured guards and one that is dead.”

  “How did this happen?”

  “I’ll answer your questions once you get here. These guys are barely hanging on.” She ended communications with him because she also needed to let someone know about OrIN and about MarIK — she didn’t want anyone shooting him by mistake.

  “Commander BrAX.”

  “Sorry, Commander BrAX is not available.”

  “Lieutenant Commander LazAR.”

  “Lieutenant Commander LazAR here.”

  “It’s Sharon. I came to be with MarIK during the battle and found that OrIN had broken out of his holding cell with some of his warriors. He shot four guards and one of them has died.”

  “What?”

  “I have the medics coming to help, but I wanted you to know that MarIK and his team are going after OrIN. Oh, and MarIK wanted me to let you know that OrIN had to have had help getting out.”

  “Who in Kitana released MarIK?”

  “Sorry...you are breaking up.” Sharon ended communications. LazAR already disliked her; there was no need to add fuel to the fire.

  She heard the lift doors begin to open. She reached for the downed guard’s phase ray and prepared to defend them. The medics came in cautiously and she lowered her weapon. “Thank God, you’re here.”

  The medic she had punched in the nose came to her side. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. These guys are not — one is dead.”

  “We have warriors to guard you so you are safe now.”

  “Thanks.” However, it wasn’t her own safety she was worried about, but MarIK’s.

  “Miss Task, let us take you back to your quarters,” one of the warriors offered. Great, the one place she didn’t want to go. “Actually, I need something to do so if you don’t mind I would like to stay and help the medics.”

  The warrior looked over at the lead medic who nodded his approval. “Very well, we would appreciate your assistance.”

  Chapter 21

  MarIK warned his warriors. “Be careful, the Katierans might not realize we are trying to help. Don’t challenge them.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Just as he rounded the corner to the docking bay, he came across Lieutenant Commander LazAR. He raised his hands to show LazAR he meant no harm.

  “We’re here to help.”

  LazAR nodded and motioned for his warriors to lower their weapons. “Sharon called me and told me what happened.”

  The transport shook suddenly.

  “What the hell is that?” MarIK asked, although he already knew the answer.

  “Our transport has taken a direct hit.”

  “Who’s attacking?” MarIK asked.

  “The rebel transport.”

  “It’s a distraction to give OrIN time to escape. He’s going for a war ship.”

  “That’s what I would do. If he blows the docking bay doors, it will be a while before we can launch any war ships to go after him.”

  “We need a distraction of our own,” MarIK suggested.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “What would he want the most right now?”

  “Besides escaping? He would want…”

  “A chance to take me out. So let’s give him his chance.” MarIK knew it was a risk, but if he could stall OrIN long enough for LazAR to make a move, they could end this thing once and for all. The transport took another hit. MarIK looked at LazAR. “Let’s do this.”

  MarIK followed the warriors down the corridor and then waited until they took positions outside the docking bay inner doors. The doors opened and he entered the docking bay. The warriors that OrIN had guarding the doors turned their weapons in his direction. MarIK held up his hands to show he was unarmed. “Where are you going, OrIN?”

  His old commander looked up as he came out of a shuttle. He spotted MarIK and his smile grew. “I had tried to come see you before I left, but the outer cell door was locked.”

  “Well, here I am.”

  “I see that.” He approached MarIK with sure strides despite a warning from one of his warriors indicating that they needed to leave. “You shouldn’t have betrayed me.”

  “I should have turned from you a long time ago.”

  “Leader OrIN, we need to leave right now.”

  Again, OrIN ignored his warrior as he pulled out phase ray. “It saddens me that I must end you.”

  OrIN’s warriors were now piling into the shuttle. MarIK could see that they were ready to go with or without OrIN. “Your warriors are about to bolt on you.”

  OrIN didn’t even glance back. “They won’t leave me.”

  The shuttle fired its engines and then OrIN did glance back at them, just as the shuttle door closed. OrIN glared at him. “What in Kitana are you doing?”

  In the moment that OrIN was distracted, MarIK reached for an overhead suspension hook and lunged forward to connect it to OrIN’s bodysuit.

  “Let me go!” OrIN yelled as he tried to hit MarIK in response.

  MarIK knocked OrIN’s weapon out of his hand then knocked him in the face back toward the wall. Reaching up he grabbed two helmets from their hooks on the wall and placed them on both of them. He then reached to the floor and grabbed two suspension hooks to connect to their suits just in time as the docking bay doors opened. The warriors in the shuttle were sucked out of the transport. Seconds later, the doors shut and the docking bay was pressurized. Both MarIK and OrIN fell to the floor. LazAR and his warriors entered and quickly took a dizzy OrIN into their custody.

  “The other warriors got out.”

  LazAR smiled. “They won’t get far. Come with me.”

  MarIK followed LazAR to the command deck. On the large viewing screen within the command center, he could see the rebel transport firing on them. Then, two more transports suddenly appeared and surrounded the rebel transport.

  “By the Goddess,” MarIK commented in astonishment. He couldn’t figure out where they had come from.

  LazAR smiled. “Yeah, we figured out how to cloak our own ships.”

  “Have they been here like that the whole time?”

  “Yes. Whoever is giving orders on that transport has no other choice other than to surrender.”

  Commander BrAX turned to stare at MarIK. “What is he doing here?”

  “He helped re-capture OrIN.”

  BrAX nodded and turned his attention back to the battle on hand. It didn’t take long before the rebels realized they were outnumbered and they just gave up.

  “Where’s
my mate?” MarIK asked. He liked the way it sounded to call Sharon his mate.

  “She’s in the medic wing,” Lieutenant Commander LazAR answered.

  “What? Is she hurt?” Fear for his mate’s safety had him growling.

  “Easy, MarIK. She is not injured. She went to the medic wing to help with the injured warriors,” Lieutenant TanAR told him.

  That was his mate, caring and strong. Of course she would want to help in some way. He turned to leave.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Commander BrAX demanded.

  “To see my mate!” He was surprised that no one stood in his way when he left. The warriors parted to let him pass. He knew where the medic wing was located and was determined to get there as soon as possible. When he reached the lift, he turned around to find that his team and Lieutenant Commander LazAR had followed him.

  LazAR stood there for a moment, staring at him, then he gave an order to the warrior next to him. “Make sure that Commander MarIK and his team receive medical treatment.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  LazAR turned his attention back to MarIK. “You have some time with your mate, but the Commander will want you and your warriors returned to the holding cells.”

  MarIK nodded. “I understand.” He pushed the button for the level where the medic wing was located. He needed to see for himself that Sharon was safe.

  As he entered the medic wing, he scanned the room. He spotted her in the corner, helping bandage the hand of one of the warriors. Her back was to him, so she didn’t see him as he approached. He listened as she reassured the warrior he would be fine in no time. The warrior took the opportunity to flirt.

  “I don’t mind so much, since it gives me a chance to hold hands with a pretty female.”

  MarIK was about to growl and make his presence known when Sharon pulled away. “Look warrior, I have a mate. Respect that or I’ll break your other hand.”

  He couldn’t help but smile, then he chuckled. “That’s my mate.”

  Sharon turned around. “MarIK!” She threw her arms around his neck, jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. He easily caught her and held her.

  “I was so worried about you. Are you okay? Do you need the medic?” She used her hands to check his chest and shoulders over.

  He lowered her back to her feet. “I’m fine.”

  The lead medic came over. “Do you need medical assistance?”

  “We have a few bruises and cuts.” MarIK motioned for his team to come forward.

  “Did you get OrIN?” she asked.

  “Yes, his warriors left him but they are now facing two more Katieran transports.”

  “Two?” She had a confused look on her face.

  “I will tell you about it later.” MarIK turned to the warrior who had escorted him to her. “I need to be alone with my mate.”

  The male sighed but he nodded with understanding. “Go to her quarters and remain there. I will have a guard come for you in a few hours.”

  “Thank you.”

  MarIK took her hand and led her out of the medic wing. He stopped at the lift and turned to her. “I don’t know where your quarters are.”

  She smiled. “Third floor.” He pushed the button on the lift for the third floor. As soon as the doors closed behind them, he pressed her back against the wall and kissed her. “Goddess, I was so worried about you.”

  “I was worried about you, too.” They kissed once more before the doors opened. She pulled him along to her room. When she opened the door and looked up at him, he knew he had to have her.

  *****

  Sharon’s heart was racing as she pulled him into her quarters after her. He was here, he was safe, and he was hers. Needing to feel his warm skin, she yanked at the bottom of his shirt and fumbled with the waist of his pants in a desperate attempt to get him naked. He chuckled.

  “Easy, beautiful, I want you just as much, but I don’t want to be unmanned.”

  “Help me.” She released him and stepped back. Sharon took off her own shirt and his chuckles turned into groans as his eyes darkened with desire. After kicking off her boots, she turned and pulled down her pants, giving him a prime view of her naked ass.

  “By the Goddess, you’re going to kill me.”

  She straightened up and glanced back at him over her shoulder. “Hurry up, I’m starving.” She dashed over to the bed and just about made it before two strong hands grabbed her waist, lifted her up, and tossed her onto the bed. She bounced and laughed, turning over welcoming him into her arms. The feel of his weight coming down gently over her was comforting and exciting.

  He kissed her deeply, making her whole body light up with a need so great, she felt beyond ready for the pleasure she knew only MarIK could bring her. She opened her heart and body to him, reveling in how good his hands felt as they caressed her sides and then cupping her breasts. Her nipples tightened as his fingers plucked and toyed with her. He lowered his head to her breasts and began to slowly torture her.

  “What are you doing to me?”

  “Preparing your body.” His fingers played with her pussy while he kissed his way down to her mound.

  Sharon felt so achy all over and her arousal was slick between her thighs. Her whole body was on fire and she wanted him, right now. “Please, I need you now.”

  He growled against her quivering flesh. “I must taste you first.”

  “Hurry.”

  MarIK began stroking her slowly with his tongue. She knew she was ready, but he still insisted on taking his time. He replaced his tongue with his fingers and began moving inside of her slowly. She groaned in frustration as he began to move faster and deeper and she felt a fire deep within her. It intensified with his every movement. Suddenly, her body arched upward, her senses exploding like firecrackers in response to the orgasm that he gave her. He stayed with her, licking every bit of her up until her breathing was almost even again. It was then that she realized he hadn’t released yet.

  “MarIK, you didn’t come.”

  “I will always put your needs before mine, Sharon. Always.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I love you.”

  He kissed his way back up her body and kissed her mouth. She could taste herself on his tongue and it was — sexy. His hands stroked her body, building the flames inside her once more.

  Suddenly he lifted up and flipped her over onto her stomach, surprising her. “MarIK.”

  “On your hands and knees,” he growled. His voice betrayed his need.

  She quickly moved to get into the position he wanted. Looking over her shoulder, she watched him looking at her with such intensity. It was sexy as hell and made her feel hot all over. Her breathing was rapid in anticipation.

  He smoothed his hand over her ass. She had a hard time staying still. She wanted and needed him desperately. MarIK leaned forward over her, placed the tip of his cock at her entrance, and plunged deep inside her in one long thrust.

  “Oh my God.” It was unclear which of them had uttered that phrase. It didn’t matter.

  MarIK slowly pulled out almost all the way, then plunged back inside. He set a rhythm that sped up to a rapid pounding. Sharon couldn’t hold her upper body up with her hands so she went down to her elbows.

  She was so close to coming but he seemed to slow down. That’s not what she needed. “Harder, MarIK. Take me harder.”

  He growled and something came loose inside him as he pounded into her, taking her with hard, fast strokes. It was so wonderful, she couldn’t hold back as she shattered and began screaming her release. After a few more strokes, MarIK released his seed deep inside her over and over. It felt endless and so right.

  Afterward, both of them reclined in each other’s arms, quivering and happy. He had pulled out of her but he still was lying partly on her to keep her in place. Their heads were side by side on the pillow and they looked into each other’s eyes.

  “I was so worried about you. I never want to be apart from you, MarIK. I’ve fallen i
n love with you.”

  He reached a hand over to caress her face. “I have fallen in love with you, my beautiful Sharon.” What he felt for her was so much more; he had to make her understand. “I loved my first mate. She was amazing, and I am grateful for the time I had with her. What I feel for you is different, but just as strong. The first time I looked into your beautiful eyes, I knew what I had been missing. This connection goes deep into our souls. The Goddess has blessed me with you and I won’t ever let you go.”

  She smiled as a tear escaped her eye. “I won’t let you go, either.”

  Chapter 22

  MarIK followed the guard, who had arrived to take him back to the holding cell. Sharon held his hand and refused to let him go without her. He didn’t want to part from her again either. The guard’s comm link vibrated.

  “Halt,” he ordered them while he answered the call. “Lieutenant BivIN here. I was taking him back to the holding cell. Yes, I’ll bring him up immediately.” He ended communications. “Commander BrAX wants me to bring you to his ready room.”

  They turned directions and headed for the lift. A few minutes later, the warrior knocked, then opened the door to the ready room. MarIK entered first, keeping Sharon behind him. He saw Commander BrAX and Lieutenant Commander LazAR, but what surprised him was seeing StrykER and Commander TylOR.

  “Come in, MarIK. Miss Task, perhaps you could wait in your quarters.”

  “I’m staying with MarIK.” Sharon crossed her arms over her chest.

  Commander BrAX frowned and Lieutenant Commander LazAR sighed. “She will only cause a fuss if she is kept out of the conversation.”

  “Commander BrAX, it does not bother us to have her here,” Commander TylOR reassured them.

  “Very well, everyone take a seat. Interrogator StrykER has come here to interrogate the prisoners about the Morins and the rebel infiltrators. Time is of the essence. We couldn't wait until we reached Katiera. He will also question you to see if you have any other information. Our transport will continue on its way to Katiera where all the prisoners will be going before the council for judgment, including you, Commander MarIK.”