Defender (Battle Born Book 4)

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Another thinly veiled threat?” Her brows arched, drawing attention to her strange golden eyes. “Your tactics are boring.”

  Raylon cringed. If a man addressed General Nox with the same level of distain, Raylon could guarantee there’d be repercussions. So why was Garin putting up with it from this tiny female? He almost laughed. The answer was in the question. She was an attractive female and Garin had obviously noticed.

  “Well, I don’t want to bore you. According to one of my unimpressive harbingers—who was also born with her gifts, by the way. Pyre Sterling kidnapped Haven yesterday.”

  Ulrik stood so fast his chair toppled. “Why the hell wasn’t I told yesterday?”

  “Nazerel has been trying to contact you ever since we learned of the event,” Raylon told him.

  “What has been done to rescue her? Why was she taken?”

  “Who is Pyre Sterling?” Berlynn looked at her uncle, but Garin provided the answer.

  “She heads the Harbinger Guild.”

  “What does she want with Haven?” Ulrik asked again.

  “We’re not sure.” Garin waited for Ulrik to right his chair and sit back down before he went on. “Pyre told Haven that Quinton was on his way to IG Headquarters to arrest her. That might or might not be true, but Pyre does nothing that doesn’t benefit her or her guild.”

  “Have you sent someone to rescue her or not?”

  Garin shrugged, the gesture clearly mirroring Berlynn’s. “Why would I do that? The battle born aren’t allied with Tandori Tribe.”

  “You bastard,” Ulrik sneered. “You’ll leave Haven at Pyre’s mercy just to punish me?”

  Rather than denying or confirming the charge, Garin said, “There are very few Rodytes willing to take on the Harbinger Guild. Seeing into the future is not their only ability. Someone from the Integration Guild might be willing to act on her behalf, but she has kept her true identity a secret from almost everyone. They’ll probably leave it up to Javin to rescue his lover.”

  “But you just said Javin has passed beyond.” Ulrik ran a hand through his hair. “What sort of twisted game are you playing?”

  “I’m not the one playing games.” Garin’s bearing held no hint of amusement as he continued. “Haven is a fugitive, so she has been using an assumed name. She also didn’t want anyone to know her mate had died, so she has been acting on his behalf. Now she’s a victim of her own deceit.”

  “She’s my sister, the only sibling I have left.” Ulrik was shaking with emotion, but Raylon wasn’t sure if it was fear for his sister’s wellbeing or anger at his own helplessness. “What do you want from me?”

  “I want what I’ve always wanted, an ally, someone willing to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.”

  “Send someone after her and I’ll negotiate. You have my vow as the leader of Tandori Tribe that I will deal fairly with you.”

  Garin looked at Berlynn and awareness gleamed in his eyes. “Do you witness this vow and confirm its validity?”

  Berlynn nodded, seeming oddly nervous all of a sudden. “He’ll negotiate. The vow of a Tandori is binding.”

  “I dispatched a rescue party last night. I should receive word shortly that she is free of Pyre’s control.”

  Ulrik bristled at the news, but Berlynn placed her hand on his forearm and squeezed. “We thank you,” she said as much for her uncle as for Garin.

  “What would you have done with her if I wasn’t willing to bend?” Ulrik wanted to know.

  “I rescued your sister because it was the right thing to do,” Garin stressed. “I would have done the same for anyone. I used her peril to motivate you, because you left me no choice.”

  “Let’s move beyond this hostility.” Berlynn looked at Ulrik expectantly. He nodded, so she continued, “Morgan gave me an overview of the transformation study, but I’m not a scientist so I’m really not qualified to judge the validity of what you’re trying to do.”

  “Kaden Lux commands the Intrepid, which is our research vessel. He can answer your questions or direct you to the person with the answers.”

  “Is it safe?” she persisted. “Are the females risking serious side effects to benefit their battle born mates? For that matter, how risky is it for the male?”

  “My brother, Bandar, and his mate just finished the course of injections. According to the medical team, their transformation is complete and neither suffered any significant side effects.”

  “Can he access his magic?” Ulrik asked. “Isn’t that what this is all about?”

  “Bandar would be able to explain it in more detail. But as I understand it, he has access to the energy now, but he lacks the skill to use it.”

  Ulrik’s only response was a contemplative grunt.

  “How many females are you hoping to recruit?” As with their previous conversation, Berlynn was more reasonable than her uncle.

  “As many as you’re willing to part with.” Garin punctuated the claim with a charming smile and Raylon did a double take. Was General Nox flirting? Raylon couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Garin bother with a female. Apparently, Raylon needed to learn more about this canine shifter. Potential mates had a protein marker in their blood. Berlynn’s father had been full-blooded Rodyte, but was her mother human? To his knowledge, humans couldn’t shapeshift. But then, neither could Rodytes. Berlynn was a bonafide mystery.

  “And what does Tandori Tribe gain by offering you our females?” Ulrik crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “Haven’s rescue brought me to the table, now explain the ‘mutually beneficial’ part.”

  “What do you want? Technology, medicine?” Garin motioned around them. “Our standard of living is quite different than what you put up with on Earth.”

  “We want a say in who replaces Quinton and any member of Tandori Tribe must have the option of returning to Rodymia once the new administration is installed.”

  Raylon and Garin exchanged surprised expressions. This wasn’t at all what they had expected.

  “How many of your people want to go home?” Garin asked.

  The possibility hadn’t even occurred to them. Tandori Tribe had been on Earth for hundreds of years. Apparently, they still considered themselves Rodytes.

  “Depends who ends up on the throne.” Ulrik’s shrug was the least convincing so far. “Or if there is still a crown stirate once the uprising is resolved.”

  Interesting. Raylon resisted the temptation to look at Garin again. They would discuss this at length, no doubt, once Ulrik and Berlynn left the room.

  “And does Tandori Tribe have someone in mind?” Garin asked.

  “We might, but I think it’s premature at this point to discuss such details.” He scooted back from the table and stood. “After my inquisitive niece has toured the medical facilities and badgered your people with questions, I’ll present the options to my awakened females.”

  “What do you mean by awakened?” Raylon was pretty sure he understood the term, but it was better to avoid miscommunications.

  “Most hybrid females are unaware of their origins until they’re old enough to mate,” Berlynn explained as she prepared to join her uncle. “Once they’re deemed ready, they go through an in-depth orientation that explains their history and the options for their future. We call that process awakening.”

  “They’re generally claimed soon after,” Ulrik warned, “so there aren’t that many unmated Tandori females. Still, I need to determine if there’s any interest in your transformation study. We can only move forward if my females volunteer. I will not force this upon them.”

  Garin stood as well. “We’d have it no other way.” They shook hands and Garin concluded, “Give me a few minutes to make the arrangements. Feel free to wander about the commerce district. I’ll be with you momentarily.” After the Tandoris left the room Garin turned to Raylon. “I had no idea they’d want anything to do with the rebellion. I’m not even sure if this development is good or bad.”

  Raylon
shook his head. “I say we roll with it. If we can create a true alliance with Tandori Tribe, it could sway opinions back home.”

  “I agree.”

  Raylon rolled his shoulders then stretched his back. “You haven’t heard from Danvier and Vox?”

  “Not yet, but I didn’t really expect to this quickly.”

  Another yawn took over before Raylon could stop it. “Sorry.”

  Garin laughed. “Go get some sleep. And I’m going to have Indigo leave the Pavilion with Chandar to make sure sleeping is all you do.”

  The battle was obviously lost, so Raylon surrendered. “Yes, sir. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “No one knows how this was done?” Chandar looked around the grotto in wonder. Raina had taken Indigo and her on an extensive tour of the hydroponics gardens before venturing into this treasure hidden underground. The cavern wasn’t large, but it felt like they were in the middle of a rain forest rather than on Earth’s desolate moon. Vines and flowering bushes mixed with leafy trees, creating an atmosphere both lush and wild.

  “Whoever terraformed the cave knows how they did it,” Raina said with a smile. “They just didn’t share their secrets with anyone still around today.”

  “No one on my world has this technology.” Chandar touched a wide fern frond, barely able to convince herself it was real. The ground felt spongy beneath her shoes and the air was cool yet humid. “To my knowledge, no one in my star system can terraform.”

  “And this isn’t even the best part.” Raina motioned them deeper into the cavern.

  The musical tinkle of water hinted at the nature of Raina’s surprise and still Chandar felt her jaw drop when she saw the “best part”. Jagged rocks jutted out from the back wall of the cave, forming a waterfall and shimmering pool at the base of the rock formation. “How is this possible?”

  “How is any of it possible?” Indigo shrugged. If her lack of awe was any indication, she’d seen it all before. “We have no idea.”

  “Is it water or some other liquid?” It was odorless and clear, but that didn’t necessarily mean it was water.

  “It’s water,” Raina assured her. “I ran the tests myself.”

  “Wow.” Chandar paused to take it all in and then shook her head. “I don’t know what else to say.”

  “I felt the same way when I first saw it.” Indigo moved closer and mischief brought her already vivid blue eyes to life. “I’ve been uncharacteristically polite, but I’m dying to know. Are you and Raylon official now or is it still just a flirtation?”

  “Raylon flirts?” Raina laughed at the thought. “I can’t even imagine such a thing.”

  “He can be intense,” Chandar admitted feeling defensive of her mate. “But he has a softer side.”

  “That he only shows to you. The rest of us have never seen it.” Indigo hooked her elbow around Chandar’s as they started back through the cavern. “And you didn’t answer my question. Are you and Grumpy-face mates or is this just temporary.”

  “I can answer that.” Raina waved away the question. “If he hasn’t claimed her yet, it’s only a matter of time. They are clearly meant to be together.”

  Not wanting to continue the awkward conversation, Chandar said, “We’re official. He anchored the mating bond last night.”

  “Congratulations.” Indigo paused to give her an enthusiastic hug. “And no wonder Garin wanted to give Raylon some time alone. I remember what it was like while Zilor and I were forming the bond. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other.”

  “It’s been almost four hours,” Chandar grumbled. “How much sleep does he need?” Raina and Indigo both burst out laughing and soon Chandar joined the levity. “How long will this…hunger last? We’re both pretty useless right now.”

  “The first three days are the hardest. Then it gets better gradually.” Raina led them through the dank sublevel containing long, narrow pools of nutrient-rich liquid. The liquid circulated through the massive plant trays in the gardens above and the excess dripped into the pools. Despite its huge scale and multi-level design, the system was simple and required minimal supervision.

  “If you happen to escape my watchful eye while I’m engrossed in gossip with Raina, I won’t come after you.” Indigo winked at Chandar then nodded toward the door leading to the corridor.

  “She’s not supposed to roam around unescorted and you know it,” Raina pointed out.

  “Unmated females aren’t allowed anywhere without an escort. Chandar’s an old mated female just like us.” Indigo paused then shifted from troublemaker into therapist mode. “Raina’s right. We better take you back.”

  “I can find my way,” Chandar objected. “There are only two turns between here and the express tunnel.”

  Indigo shook her head. “Your navigational skills aren’t the issue. Garin trusted me with your safety. I can’t screw this up.”

  So her chatty companions walked with her as far as the courtyard, then waved her on with naughty smiles.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Indigo teased.

  Raina laughed. “That eliminates all restrictions.”

  Indigo slapped her arm then whispered something that made her laugh even harder but Chandar didn’t stick around to decipher their antics. She stepped in front of Raylon’s door and smiled when her facial scan triggered the door. Raylon had given her access to his suite after their first night together. The simple privilege still made her feel special, accepted.

  She slipped off her shoes just inside the door and crept across the outer room. The door to the bedroom was ajar, so she eased it inward and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dimness. A thin ribbon of light circled the room, providing just enough illumination to keep the occupants from tripping over the furniture.

  Raylon sprawled across the bed on his stomach, the sheet tangled around his hips. His torso was bare, but he generally wore the underwear issued with his uniform. She’d seen him naked repeatedly, so why did the sight of him half-naked have her heart thumping in her chest? Even asleep he looked strong and dangerous, but she never felt safer than when she was in his arms.

  With a dreamy smile curving her lips, she slipped out of her robes and draped them across the back of a chair. Her undergarments and footwear followed and soon she stood beside the bed naked, pulse racing. Heat curled through her body and her core melted, anticipating the intimacies they’d soon share. Her ghosts were vanquished. She no longer feared that memories would interfere with anything she and Raylon did together. Their psychic link filled her mind with emotions and sensations, transforming physical acts into something spiritual. Their love transported her to a realm without nightmares. Even in her mind that sounded foolish, but each time they touched the phenomenon became more real.

  Her gaze drifted down along his body as she imagined one pleasure they’d yet to share. Well, actually he’d shared it with her, but she had yet to share it with him. She wanted to touch him, taste him, to know his body as well as he knew hers. With that goal in mind, she eased the covers down to the foot of the bed. She’d been wrong. He was naked beneath the covers and her fingers itched to explore all the muscular flesh spread before her. Gods he was glorious, so lean and powerful.

  Careful not to jostle him, she sat on the edge of the bed and began her exploration. She ran her hand from the nape of his neck to the base of his spine. He stirred restlessly and murmured her name. Even in sleep she was with him, drifting through his dreams. She grew a bit bolder, cupping one ass cheek and giving the sculpted flesh a firm squeeze.

  He rolled over and blinked into the darkness. “I thought Indigo took you away.” He sounded adorably sleepy and slightly confused.

  “I’m back. Did you miss me?”

  He caught her wrist and brought her hand to his groin. “You tell me.” He pressed her palm against his hardened length and she curled her fingers around his thickness. “I need you more than sleep.”

  She stroked him, thrilled by the de
sire flowing into her mind. He felt hot and hard sliding against her fingers and she wanted a closer look. Before she could indulge her curiosity, he reached up with both hands and pulled her down for a hot, hard kiss. His fear of hurting her or scaring her had obviously vanished for good. He was a fierce, demanding warrior and she didn’t want him to hold back.

  He let her play for a minute or two while he plundered her mouth with his tongue. But when he tried to sweep her beneath him, she wiggled out of his grasp. “Not yet. I want something else first.”

  “All I have is yours.” His phitons flashed with green fire and need surged across their link. Her body responded with a shower of tingles. He wanted her badly and still he controlled the demands of his body to bring her greater pleasure.

  Empowered by his surrender, she folded her legs beneath her and crawled closer to his hip.

  “Chandar, you don’t have to do that. I know they—”

  She pressed her fingers against his lips, silencing him. “There is no one in this bed but me and you. I want to do this.” She trailed her fingers down his chest then across his rippling abdomen. Her other hand still held his cock near the base, so she bent and circled his tip with her tongue. “You’re my mate and I want to know your taste.”

  He groaned as her words filed him with need. His thighs tensed, released, then tensed again. She stroked him slowly as her lips closed around the flared head of his cock. He held perfectly still, or tried and failed to remain motionless. His hips rose, pushing him deeper into her mouth. She inhaled slowly, refusing to allow memories to taint this experience for her, for them. This was Raylon, her mate, her love. Nothing and no one would intrude on their joining ever again.

  Suddenly he grabbed her hips and pulled her over and on top of him. She tried to protest around the considerable obstacle in her mouth, but he was deaf to her objections. Soon she straddled his head and his mouth covered her slit while his hands moved over her back and sides.

  She should have realized he wouldn’t lie there and passively accept pleasure. He was a man of action. It was his basic nature to control. Once she understood the purpose for the position, she relaxed and tried to concentrate on what she was doing. His tongue teased her slit and he gently sucked on her folds, each caress a wicked, wonderful distraction.