So she stared out at space wondering who would reach her first, Rurik or her father. She decided not to tell anyone about the eventual appearance of her father and possibly Uncle Kugen. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt and she feared that, though the Anskarians were neutral in the slave war and the growing rebellion against the Q’tran Alliance, they were now on a battleship and might shoot down anyone that appeared to be in pursuit, including her father’s cloaked ship.
***
Sure it had to be the third day, the day Rurik was supposed to be released from the medical center, Nadiah paced anxiously. What if something had gone wrong? What if he got out of surgery and realized he didn’t want her or know what to do with her? What if he was already reunited with that Beatrice woman, who Krat had said was his intended? The guy was effing engaged to be mated! Every minute he delayed was cause for more anxiety. Nadiah had been missing from her family’s ship for nearly a week by her estimate and she was surprised that her father hadn’t arrived to reclaim her yet.
She stared out at the black nothingness, only one star constellation discernable and she didn’t recognize it. Was her father out there now? Waiting? Working out a strategy to rescue her? Through diplomacy or violence. If Kugen was with him, they’d combine their talents and read the minds of every person on this ship, maybe even arrange a friendly exchange without those in charge knowing what was happening.
And where was Rurik? Had he changed his mind? He’d told Krat that she was his. At least, Krat had said Rurik told him that. Just thinking about that possessive claim made her tremble and think back on the way he’d shown her an experience not unlike the state of Nirvana from earth mythology.
Besides, what if she were pregnant? When she’d been planning to lose her virginity on Jagron, she’d been confident the sex palaces would be well-stocked with easy-to-access choices for protection, like shots or even temporary sheaths. Were Anskarians compatible with Earthborn-Kadisian hybrids? Did Rurik mean to bond permanently with her? She didn’t worry about her parents. If she were carrying a child, they would love it regardless. Her father might kill Rurik for dishonorably having unbound sex with her, but he would never hold it against her or the child. Rurik as huge and powerful, but no more so than her father, who was also a powerful psychic. The men were physically matched, but Rurik’s diplomatic power as a member of the royal family would never outwit or outmaneuver the kind of mental advantage Nadiah’s father and uncle had. They could even make Rurik think he didn’t want Nadiah. That thought made her chest squeeze tight with pain.
She fretted that her father might hurt or take over Rurik’s mind before she had a chance to tell him that she liked the guy. Maybe even loved him.
Nadiah stopped pacing and stared at her reflection in the external lounge window, her red hair the one spot of color in the room reflected behind her. Love? How could she love a male so quickly? Was she feeling this way because he was her first lover? She’d heard of how females often fell in love with their first lover, whether he was good for her or not. No. She thought that she could fall in love with Rurik for other reasons. He was strong, kind, protective. His touch made her go a little crazy. Her mating urge was even more achy than it had been before she met Rurik. He was more handsome than any male she’d ever met. He’d been good to her from the first moment.
The real question was whether he could love her. She had only a short opportunity to see the other women working on the ship as she was being led to Rurik’s suite. They were all tall and blonde. Their pale luminescent hair was styled long and wavy. Their eyes were gray with hints of either blue or an exotic violet color. They all had perfect shapes. She looked down at her own puny body. Granted, she was only twenty, but her boobs were already bigger than an Anskarians’. And she was stunted. Her height and short legs made her hips and breasts seem more plump and round than sensually curved. Most of the women on the ship were six feet tall. She’d felt like a small child being led through the corridors by Krat. Everyone towered over her.
She groaned. The most significant detail of all was when Krat had called him “Your Highness.” Rurik must be significant royalty, a member of the highly regarded Anskarian ruling family. And she was the love child of a runaway Earthling and a rogue psychic KhaRya, both working at the heart of the anti-slave rebellion against the dissolving Alliance. Even if Rurik was willing to consider making her his mate, the political fallout would be serious for his planet, possibly dragging it from neutrality into taking sides in the dangerous and violent resistance movement. Krat had explained that they’d taken the slavers into custody for the abduction of the prince, who been captured when he was returning from a diplomatic meeting on Jagron to their Anskarian battleship, just as he’d left the planet’s atmosphere. She’d been coming while he’d been going, both in same air space when the slavers struck. It was mere chance they’d ended up imprisoned in the same cell. Artificial Anskarian mind reading technology, similar to the natural ability her father was born with, had allowed Rurik to send a message to Krat, and they’d pursued the slavers ship and eventually caught up to it, resulting in the rescue of both their prince and Nadiah. Apparently, the plan had been to follow the slavers to their holdings and take the entire operation out, but when Nadiah was placed in the same cell as Rurik, he’d ordered his men to terminate the original plan and rescue them immediately.
She began to hope that her father came sooner than later. She’d be lucky to escape with just the loss of one stinger ship, her virginity and potential heartbreak.
The sound of arguing outside the door of the suite caught her attention. She sprinted silently to the door and put her ear to it, listening carefully.
“I don’t care what Rurik said. He’s my betrothed and I am going back to his suite to ready it for his return from medical treatment. I’ll be staying with him in case he needs anything.”
“But Lady Beatrice, Rurik has expressly ordered you to remain in the Hanover Suite.”
If Krat was running interference for Rurik, it must mean the prince was still in the medical facility, and possibly still unconscious. If Lady Beatrice was knowledgeable about his condition, he must be ready to get out of medical.
“And where have you stashed the female that was rescued with Rurik. Don’t tell me there was no one. I can hear the gossip as easily as the next person.”
“Please, Lady Beatrice, these things are better left for Rurik to explain.”
Suddenly the main entry door was sliding open.
Stifling a gasp, Nadiah dashed into Rurik’s bedroom and punched the button to close the door. Fortunately it was out of sight of the main entrance, and made no noise when it slid shut. She stared at the unmade bed and cursed her lazy housekeeping tendencies. If they followed her into the bedchamber, Beatrice would clearly see someone had been staying here.
For some reason, she didn’t want to meet this Beatrice. Despite her own pining for Rurik, if things weren’t going to work out between them, which was highly likely for a hundred different reasons that she’d considered during this time alone, she didn’t want to face the woman who was going to have him. When this was all over and she was home on Illysia, better to remember Rurik without the face of his betrothed marring her memories. Nonetheless, a meeting appeared imminent.
Unless…she ran forward and stripped the bed down to the fitted sheet. She grasped the material and pulled. Grasping the bedding in her arms, she ran for the large closet next to the bathroom. She opened it, tucked the blankets and herself inside—sometimes being tiny was useful—and snapped shut the door, staying as silent as possible. Only after the door seemed to be closed, she realized that one of the blankets was caught in the seam, preventing the door from closing completely. She didn’t dare tug on it because it might make the door pop open again. She didn’t want to look foolish, found hiding in the closet with the bedding.
“Do not go in there—” Krat nearly screeched and sounded like he might be hyperventilating.
Nadiah swallowed a
laugh that rose up at the panicked despair telegraphing from the formal and correct Krat as he clearly followed Beatrice into the bedroom. Unfortunately, that triggered her notorious hiccupping. She immediately pressed the sheets against her mouth and tried to swallow them away.
“Lady Beatrice, I must protest this intrusion.” Krat’s voice rose shrilly. “This is Prince Rurik’s sanctuary on the ship. No one is allowed into his private quarters without his permission. That’s why I had to move you out when he returned. He was furious that anyone, even his betrothed, had been allowed into this area. This suite is meant for a member of the royal family only.”
Beatrice’s answering voice was cold and furious. “Well, since our binding ceremony is in just a few weeks during the Julan winter festival, it seems silly to operate on protocol in this matter. In two weeks, I will be expected to stay in this suite, not barred from it.”
“If you say so, my lady,” Krat said in a more measured voice, sounding relieved now. He’d be wondering where Nadiah was, but grateful that she’d hidden herself, no doubt. In his short visits to bring food and collect dirty dishes, he struck her as a stiff man of absolutes and probably abhorred emotional encounters. But he had never been unkind. Nadiah almost laughed out loud, imagining the expressions that must be passing over his face. Of course, it would only be a matter of a few moments before he started panicking thinking that she’d escaped the suite, another of Rurik’s directives he’ll have failed in accomplishing.
Nadiah hiccupped again. Damn. She stuffed some of the sheet into her mouth.
“Look,” Beatrice said. “The bed is not even prepared for him. Luckily, I insisted on coming in here.”
Nadiah hiccupped again. It was only a matter of time before they heard her through the slight gap in the door.
Then, a deep, hoarse, and possibly angry voice asked “What’s going on in here?”
“Rurik!” Both invaders’ voices blended, Krat’s in horror, Beatrice’s in sultry sensuality.
“Sit, Rurik. You just had surgery,” Beatrice said. “You shouldn’t be speaking. I’ll get you something soothing to drink.”
“No. Krat? Why are my orders not followed?”
Nadiah wished she could see the invaders’ faces, even as she gratefully hid out of sight.
“Ahh…Lady Beatrice insisted on coming just now to see that the suite was readied for your return from the medical center today.”
“And good thing too, my dearest Rurik. The place is a mess.”
Nadiah’s jealousy-tinged short temper flared to life. Beatrice seemed determined to be Rurik’s caretaker. Would he allow it?
“Why, the bed’s not even made up,” Beatrice continued. “You go sit in the lounge and I’ll find some bedding so we can get you into bed.”
“No,” answered the deep voice again. “Krat, take Lady Beatrice back to her quarters and return for a full report. I need to know immediately—”
Nadiah hiccupped even louder.
Rurik paused and then continued. Was that humor deepening his voice even further… “Never mind, Krat. I think I have the answer to my most immediate question. I want the two of you to leave, now. Do not return until I call for you.”
“But sir—”
“That will be all. I want complete privacy.”
“Rurik,” Beatrice pleaded, “You can’t send me away. You need me to help you. You’re weak from surgery and—”
Nadiah heard him snort impatiently, then she hiccupped again. She buried her face deeper into the sheets, sucking on the fabric to stop the sound from escaping.
“Lady Beatrice, I apologize if I seem ungrateful for your care, and I do need to speak with you, but I would prefer to do it tomorrow. As you say, I am just out of the medical center, I’m still recovering, and I require some privacy right now.”
“Of course, your Highness,” she responded, “whatever you wish.” Nadiah suspected Lady Beatrice was pissed as hell, based on the shrill nature of her voice, and using Rurik’s title rather than his given name. There was some small talk as they moved back into the other room, then it was silent. Nadiah listened carefully but could hear nothing. Had Rurik left with them?
She was about to press open the door when it whipped open unexpectedly. She tumbled forward, tangled up in the sheets and blankets she’d hastily dragged in with her. Rurik caught her in his arms and pulled her close, pressing his nose deep into her untamed hair until he reached her sensitive neck.
“Here you are my little one. Nadiah.”
He said her name like it was a prayer. Which made shivers skitter across her skin. Then she hiccupped and he laughed. He sounded happy.
He swept her up with all the blankets and carried her to the bed where he tossed her and the bundle, following them down. He braced himself above her, each thick muscular arm bracketing her and keeping her sheltered within his reach.
She stared up into his icy blue eyes, captivated. His face was shaved clean, revealing a strong jaw line and high cheekbones. His nose was hooked and powerful. He was alive. He was here to see her. He had a tongue and could speak. Nadiah started crying. The stress of waiting more than two days for Rurik’s return after the stress of the abduction had pushed her emotions to their limits.
“Sshh…sweet.” He gently kissed then licked her tears from her cheeks, tasting her salty wetness. “Don’t cry, please, love. I am well. I am here.”
She hiccupped, again, thinking about what a mess she probably seemed. Her nose always turned bright red when she cried and they were no longer trapped in a lightless cell. Rurik brushed his lips gently across hers, then deepened the kiss, encouraging her to open her mouth and accept his seeking tongue. Nadiah forgot about her hiccups and her tears and, giving in to her true desires, she flung her arms around Rurik’s neck and kissed him back.
As he kissed her, he attempted to untangle her from the blankets wound around her hips and legs. She laughed and helped him until they were lying on top of the heap of sheets and blankets, next to each other.
He started unbuttoning her shirt.
“You are all I have thought about each conscious moment since I left you. I believe I dreamed of you even during surgery.” His voice was thick and hoarse.
He kissed her neck and moved down towards a breast.
“Who’d have thought a tongue would be essential to lovemaking? But I decided I did not like trying to please you without it, so I wanted it taken care of before I came to you again.”
He licked her skin again.
“Plus, it probably hurt…” she replied breathlessly.
“Hmmm….” he hummed appreciatively. “You taste amazing.”
“Rurik,” Nadiah moaned in pleasure. In her own glowing happiness at his return, she wanted to reassure him. “You did just fine without a tongue.” She moaned again as he licked a patch of skin under her ear. “But we need to talk.”
“Just wait until you see what I can do with this new tongue,” he promised as he found the swell of her breast and licked it.
Fighting against her true desire to submit under Rurik’s tender advances, Nadiah stilled under him. Rurik ignored her change in behavior and found his way to her nipple, drawing it hard into his mouth and sucking it, dragging velvety wet trails over her skin with his newly attached tongue. The guy healed fast and apparently, tongues were essential to lovemaking. She giggled.
“Rurik. Stop. We need to talk.”
“Later, sweet one. First, I want to make love to you.”
“Oooh, Rurik, this is important.”
“Okay, you talk, I’ll do this.” He moved to her other breast and began loving it.
“I can’t think while you’re doing that,” Nadiah complained without much seriousness.
“We’ll talk later then.”
Nadiah tried to sort out her thoughts while her body responded to Rurik’s sensual attack. What were the issues again? Her father. Well, her parents and their rebel ways. Her possible pregnancy since they’d had sex without protection.
And his intended, Beatrice. That issue was serious enough to catch her attention. She began resisting him, pushing at him. He was too strong and determined though and simply pressed her harder into the bed and continued sucking on her breast, nipping at the rose bud tip.
“Rurik,” she squealed.
He sighed and lifted his head. His pale eyes pierced hers, making her feel breathless. He stroked her cheek like it was a jewel.
“Okay, Freckles, what is so urgent it interrupts our long overdue second lovemaking?”
Nadiah looked away to hide the pain in her eyes.
“Lady Beatrice. Your betrothed.”
“Not any longer. I will tell her I can no longer mate with her.”
“The binding ceremony is imminent.”
“Actually, I—“
Alarms resounded through the ship and Krat’s voice spoke through the speakers into the room.
“Rurik. We need you on the bridge immediately.”
“No,” Rurik groaned. He reached across the bed to the wall and hit a com switch.
“What is it?” he demanded.
“We are being hailed by the rogue rebel leader, Galen of Illysia. He is threatening to take mind control of the entire battleship command and disable the ship if we do not return his daughter immediately.”
“His daughter?” Rurik stared down at Nadiah, a frown marring his regal, beautiful features.
“Yes, your Highness. His daughter Nadiah.”
***
Standing in the diplomatic guest conference chamber, Nadiah tugged at Rurik’s oversized shirt, once more tidily buttoned up, wishing it reached to the floor. She both dreaded and anticipated her father’s arrival. Apparently, her uncle Kugen traveled with him but remained behind on board her father’s cloaked ship. At the moment, it was floating, gleaming, in clear view outside the giant window. Despite its dwarfed size compared to the large battleship they were on, it looked dangerous and deadly. No matter how sophisticated the ship’s advanced combat technology, she knew her father and uncle were the truly dangerous weapons.
Baby, it's Cold in Space: Eight Science Fiction Romances Page 39
