The man continued. "You couldn't run or ignore it. That's what this is, Mya. It's my love for the universe, for all the myriad of beings that inhabit it that makes me accept what I've been given."
"Even to your death? “ The woman's voice was thick with emotion.
Sindar reached out and touched the woman offscreen as if he'd forgotten the cam, forgotten the interview. "Even to my death."
The screen faded, and Carina stared at the blankness for a moment. For some reason, she'd believed these prophecies had been about religion, about power. Sindar didn't seem to be some holy-rolling preacher.
None of it seemed connected to her.
"In the end, it did cost him,” Xandros said. He stood behind her, and she hadn't even realized he'd gotten out of bed.
Carina glanced at him and then rose to her feet. “I won't do it,” she said abruptly. “I won't play the prophecy game."
"Good,” he snapped and gripped her arm. “Come with me. We'll find a hidey-hole in the universe and stay there. I'll worship you, you kneel at my feet, and we'll make our own religion."
The tension in her chest relaxed, and she broke into a giggle. She buried her face in his neck. “No. I know that's foolish."
His arms wrapped around her. “It isn't foolish.” He stroked her hair. “You deserve to be happy, machinka."
She tipped her head back and stared at him. “Do I?” Her stomach rolled. “Why? I killed hundreds of people to gain one objective: to kill the head of the Brotherhood. Maybe happiness was never my destiny."
His hands cupped her face. “I want to make you happy, Carina. Let me do that."
It would be so easy. Just walk away from the prophecy, from the expectation that she would save the universe, from everything. But it wasn't who she was, and she and Xandros knew it. “I have to do this,” she said. Hearing it out loud, she had a sense of purpose, of need. In her mind, the whole thing seemed impossible and frightening. But when she spoke the words, she realized this was what she had to do.
She had to rescue Finn and Aron and strike a blow to the heart of the hated Blueshift Brotherhood.
"Then I will do it with you,” Xandros said simply. “We will do our part."
Tears blurred her vision, and she buried her face in his shoulder again. “This is mine to do, Xandros. Mine. You should—"
Xandros jerked her back to him and devoured her mouth, cutting off the words. When he lifted his head, Carina was breathless. “Don't even suggest it. This is yours to do, and you belong to me."
The mark on her arm throbbed with painful need. “Xandros,” she moaned, her voice husky.
With clear intent, he backed her toward the bed. “You are mine, Carina. You have always been mine."
She put her hand out and stopped him. “Xandros, I love you. I have always loved you. Even when I was sixteen and foolish."
The fire that leaped in his gaze made her shudder. He stepped closer and crushed her hand between them. “And I love you, Carina. Without you, I'm empty. Fill me up, machinka."
When his mouth touched her, it was like coming home, like those rare moments when Carina's direction was clear. This man, this mark, this moment, were supposed to happen. She clung to him, reveling in his power over her and delighting in the power she had over him. He wanted her, loved her.
His touch burned over her skin, and he stripped her of her clothes and her sanity with his wicked hands. Yet every slide of his fingers, every stroke of his tongue was reverent, as if he was savoring her.
He pressed her into the mattress of the bed, looming over her like the destiny she'd wanted to deny. Stars! Carina had no idea that the crease under her arm or the gentle dip along her rib cage was an erogenous zone, but Xandros's mouth touched those places, and she trembled. He nipped and bit her flesh, arousing every nerve until she thought she'd scream.
When he finally bent down to sweep his tongue over her engorged clit, she was completely mindless, the mark on her arm glowing and burning. She arched off the bed as he rhythmically sucked on that sensitive bundle of nerves. He drove her higher, torturing her.
"Xandros, please. Let me come."
He lifted his head, his gaze dark and demanding, his features tight with need. “Then you know what to say. You know how to ask me."
Just his words drove her closer to the brink. He'd told her his position with her, that the mark that Leo gave him changed only his status on Nylar, not with her.
"Master, please,” she said, her body shaking. “Master, let me come."
He studied her, two of his fingers sliding inside her pussy. Heat streaked through her, and she held on by a thread. But she wanted—no, needed—his permission.
"Whose pussy is this?” he demanded, his voice gritty and low.
"Yours. Yours,” she said and thrashed beneath him. Stars! She wanted to bathe his fingers in her cum.
"Again, Carina. Whose pussy is this?” His gaze burned into hers.
"Yours, Master. Please,” she whimpered.
He still didn't give her permission. He pulled his two fingers from her pussy, and they glistened with the evidence of her arousal. Those he thrust into the tight hole of her ass. She hissed from the pressure. His free hand was busy replacing those fingers, and he began to move inside her, filling her.
"You come for me. When my mouth touches your clit, I want you to come."
Anticipation almost killed her. She held her breath, her body filled with his touch, his voice, his command. When his teeth scored her clit, she exploded, her body twisting and thrusting into his waiting hands.
He jerked his hands free and slapped them on either side of her head. She was still quaking when he took possession, his cock driving deep inside her, touching every single nerve ending and sending her higher.
When he gripped her hips, she went wild, her climax rolling over her, flattening everything in its path. He shot his cum inside her, and she screamed. The orgasm burned through her, set her on fire, the mark of the herwalk bright red.
It went on and on as if it would never stop, as if this was the only thing that was real. The rest of the world didn't matter. Only this connection.
She had no sense of time, no idea how long it was before they came down from their explosive high.
Still buried inside her, Xandros fell asleep, and she followed soon after, connected to the man she loved in every way that mattered.
"Father Pestori has made his move."
Xandros and the others were gathered in the mess hall when Leo announced that time had run out. Instinctively, Xandros reached for Carina's hand and gripped it.
"He's announced to the universe that he will execute the two Nyral males publicly.” Leo's face was hard, grim.
"What is it about these two men?” Xandros asked.
Leo glanced at Shaun who stared at the tabletop. “When we inducted Shaun back into Nyral society, essentially granting him forgiveness and trust, the Brotherhood reacted by killing the hostages that kept the Nyral males in line.” Leo's nostrils flared. “The Brotherhood has kept the men alive to bargain with us."
"What do they want?” Carina asked sharply.
"Me,” Princess Sera answered. “They have offered to trade me for the two men."
Carina's hand closed into a fist within Xandros's grip. “You aren't considering it, are you?” Her eyes widened when the princess's gaze slid away. “You have. Are you insane? Without you, the Brotherhood wins."
"Not necessarily,” the princess said. “The prophecy only stated Leo and I would start a new religion. That part has been accomplished. Our established culture on Placido will continue no matter what happens to me."
Carina turned to Leo. “You are going along with that bullshit?"
The man shrugged. “No. But all we've done is negotiate."
"You can't negotiate with them,” Carina snapped. “They're evil with only one purpose.” She pointed her finger at the princess. “Her death."
"I know that,” Leo said, but it was hard to see what t
he man really thought.
Princess Sera stepped closer to Carina. “What do you care? You would have killed me in a heartbeat if it meant getting your revenge."
Xandros glanced at his mate. She would have done anything to avenge her sister's death. Her sole purpose was to kill the head of the Brotherhood, and nothing would have stood in her way. If killing the princess got her closer to that goal, then Carina would have done it. Carina's gaze touched Leo's and then met the princess's weighty stare. “Yes, I would have. Everything I've done had one goal, one thought: to get me into the presence of the Great Father.” Her lips pressed together, and Xandros longed to pull her into his arms. “But I watched that video Sindar made. I've seen the writings on the cave walls at Nariad. That Ardasian woman died to protect me.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I have to believe this is worth something, that all those people who have died are gone for a reason, not just my revenge."
Princess Sera's stare softened, and she closed her hand over one of Carina's fists while Xandros still held her other one. The princess reached up with her free hand to stroke Carina's cheek. “We have more in common than you think."
When Carina opened her eyes, Xandros was surprised to see tears swimming in their dark brown depths. “It calls me the messenger, and I don't even have a message,” she said brokenly. “All I've known is revenge and death."
"And love,” the princess said. “You love, Carina."
"That's no message to save the universe,” Carina scoffed. She wiped the tears away with a jerky movement.
"On the contrary, it's the most important message you can share,” the princess told her. “But I think your message will be given to you when the time is right.” She turned her attention to Leo. “You have a plan? You always have a plan."
Leo grinned. “Yes, I've got a plan. We're going to give them what they want."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Fourteen
It wasn't a great plan.
Not according to Xandros, who didn't like the fact that his mate was going to be front and center. Also the fact that the plan seemed to hinge on some mystical woo-hoo bullshit he didn't understand.
The whole thing pissed him off. Leave it to the universe to fuck him again once he'd found the woman he loved. Wasn't it bad enough that he'd been through hell already? Sitting on the bridge of this ship headed to insanity, he wallowed in self-pity. If only his father hadn't been a traitor. If only he'd slogged it out on Nylar when everyone harassed him about his father's betrayal. If only he hadn't been caught and tortured by the TIF.
If only.
That was pointless. The facts were certain. All those things had happened, and he couldn't change them. And he wasn't sure if he would change them.
"Are you worried the plan will fail?” Princess Sera interrupted his thoughts.
Hell yes. “Leo is suggesting that the Brotherhood will sacrifice sense to kill you,” he said bluntly. “If he's wrong, my mate pays the price."
He and the princess were alone on the bridge. Shaun had claimed he needed a nap, and Leo and Carina had disappeared to get something to eat. Xandros wasn't sure why it had felt planned, but this conversation hadn't occurred by accident.
"You believe he'd sacrifice Carina?” Princess Sera didn't seem angry or put out. Her beautiful face was serene, unlined.
"For you?” Xandros studied the princess. He was a man who loved good-looking women, but for some reason, Princess Sera left him cold. “I think he'd sacrifice anything for you."
He sat in the com chair, his leg flung over the side, but he sat up straight when the princess strode closer and straddled him. He jerked his head up, and his hands grabbed the armrests. What the fuck was she doing?
"And you wouldn't? Listen to me, pirate.” She leaned closer, her lips near his ear, her hips aligned with his. “There's an extremely important fact you missed in that workout room.” Her breath was warm, and he couldn't help his body's reaction to her. He tensed, prepared to throw her off him if she tried to press closer. “Leo would never sacrifice those he loves.” She leaned back and met his stare. “And he loves all of us. We are bonded in ways we may never understand."
"But if it came down to you or—"
Her fingers touched his mouth, and his voice died. She stroked his lips, her nails sliding over his sensitive skin. “He wouldn't choose, pirate. He would rather die himself."
"His plan has flaws."
The princess backed away and shrugged. “Any plan would. Tell me, Xandros. Is it Leo you don't trust or yourself?"
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Who would you sell out to save Carina? Would you allow billions to be enslaved to save her?"
Fuck. He wanted to say, No, of course not, but his throat closed. He'd suggested running away to Carina but knew she would refuse to run. But what if she'd said yes? Would he have turned his back on the universe to keep Carina?
"I don't know,” he said, his voice hoarse.
Princess Sera's face softened. “Ah Xandros. You doubt. That's good."
He snorted. “You think? The idea that I might sell out billions for one woman is frightening."
The woman smiled. “I know the feeling.” She pressed her hand on his shoulder. “I think, Xandros Jasper, when the time comes, you'll make the right choice."
"You know they're expecting us,” Carina said. She'd waited until she and Leo were alone to speak the truth. Leo could plan all he wanted, but she knew the Brotherhood had anticipated every step she'd taken.
"Yes, I know.” Leo warmed up two meat pockets. The smell filled the dining area. It reminded her of home, of Nylar, of her childhood. Leo had never been a good cook, and Shanie's time at her clothing store had kept her late. As a child, Carina had eaten whatever slop Leo had put in front of her, thrilled the military hero would spend time with her at all.
A smile lifted her lips. Had her hero worship ever been too much for him? “I wanted to be just like you when I was a kid."
A dark scowl twisted Leo's face as he stared at the laser heater. “I know it."
"Leo, I made the choice. Every step of the way, I chose. You didn't force me into anything.” She could sense his guilt, his overdeveloped sense of responsibility.
Finally he met her gaze. “You were nineteen, Carina. Nineteen. And I didn't question it when the general wanted to put you undercover."
"You know why now.” She held his stare. Yes, they knew. The Brotherhood had arranged it all. They wanted to own Carina's soul, so they murdered her sister, corrupted her brother-in-law, and made her a killer.
A shiver made her tremble. They fucking knew. Every damn step along the way, the Brotherhood had anticipated them, waited for them. Now was no different. Her fingers threaded through her shorn, jagged hair.
Leo touched her hair, a bleak expression pinching his eyes. “Why did they do this?"
"My team probably did it. I'm lucky to be alive,” she said, then stood up abruptly. She turned her back. “It's common to shave the head of a traitor."
Carefully, Leo put his arm around her shoulders. When was the last time she'd let Leo comfort her? Years. He pulled her into his arms and held her closely. Confusing emotions lodged in her throat, and she resisted the urge to break away.
Leo pressed her head into his shoulder. “The universe has a reason for everything, but I'll be damned if I can figure this one out."
"Dominos,” she said huskily.
He leaned back. “What?"
She glanced up at him. “If Shanie hadn't been killed, if we hadn't gone undercover, if all that hadn't happened, do you think we'd be here now? If all the horrible things hadn't happened, you wouldn't have ended up with Princess Sera. If Shanie hadn't died, Xandros wouldn't have acted on the love he has for me.” She noted Leo didn't seem surprised by her assessment. “The universe only looks random. There's nothing random about it."
He squeezed her, then let her go. “How do you suggest we deal with the Brotherhood? If you're right, an
d they know what we plan, what should we do?"
"The last thing they'd expect."
"Which would be?” Leo placed a meat pocket in front of her.
"Your plan, but with modifications.” The crust was hot, but Carina picked at it with her fingers to place small bites on her lips. Heat. That's what surrounded the surface of Pelios. Liquid molten lava ran over the surface of the prison planet.
What the priests wouldn't anticipate was that she would remember the words, the intonation that Father Pestori had spoken. Or perhaps they didn't realize she'd come into contact with the Nariadians.
"What modifications?” Leo had finished his meal and brushed crumbs off his uniform.
"While Xandros brings the princess to Father Pestori, Shaun and I are going to rescue those men.” She held Leo's gaze. He wouldn't agree to this. He wouldn't understand.
Sure enough, he shook his head. “Too risky. The Brotherhood doesn't trust Xandros."
"Actually, he's the only one they'll trust.” The Brotherhood had studied him, studied her. They would believe she had no memory, that Xandros would attempt to get out of their connection. If he bargained for his return to Nylar, the priests would buy it.
The question was whether the leader of the Brotherhood would buy it.
"They've seen the rage. They know he's more than just your marked mate.” Leo wasn't convinced. And if he wasn't, the chance that Xandros would go along with the plan was pretty slim.
She leaned forward and stared at her brother-in-law. “They don't know anything about Nyral markings, Leo. Even I didn't know.” She nodded when his gaze slid away. “You know what I mean. They think it's just some chemical thing, something genetic that can be cut away.” She emphasized the word with the downward slash of her arm. “The rest of the world—hell, anyone who isn't marked like this—they think it's simple.” Her mark flared to life when she extended her arm to show Leo the intricate mark, the bird's feathers, the dark predatory gaze of its eyes, the curve of its beak all carved into her skin like a tattoo. It was permanent, embedded deep inside her soul as much as it had been burned into her arm. “Look at this, Leo. I can't explain it, but I know he was meant for me. And I was meant to be here, in this moment."
Marked for Danger [Marked 3] Page 13
