PrimalHunger

by Dawn Montgomery

  Kendra had to clear her throat to be able to speak past the lump of emotion building. “I know your men have to be saved, but why do you have to do it?”

  His hands stilled their soothing caresses of her scalp. “They’re my people, my responsibility.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “You couldn’t leave your people behind any more than I could.”

  She huffed out a breath. “I would never ask you to leave them in hell, Azros. Free them. They need you…but I need you too. This had better be a damn good plan.”

  Azros’ breath came out in a breathless chuckle.

  “So don’t go and die on me, okay?” She could feel the burn of tears behind her eyes. Would he forget about her when he fought? Would his urge to mate leave him again? “Besides, you promised me a week of incredible sex. You’re not getting out of it that easy.”

  “I never break my promises. Can’t leave my mate unsatisfied.” He tucked his finger under her chin and she turned her head so she could see his face. Solemn eyes gazed at her, steady and true. “I promise I will come back.”

  “You’d better.” Emotion welled up and she deeply inhaled his scent, memorizing it. He brought her up for a tender kiss. Soft caresses followed. Kendra’s body tingled in the afterglow of sex, but his touches turned the tingles to simmering heat.

  He gently led her into a tender dance of flesh. He filled her, body and soul. As her body crested, she cried out, and tears spilled over. Tears of joy, and sorrow. Because at some point she realized the truth…hormone initiated or not, somewhere along the way she’d fallen in love with the Valorian. And losing him would shatter her heart.

  * * * * *

  Kendra opened the door to the general medical ward. The clinic supervisor looked up from her desk and flashed Kendra a smile. Kendra waved and continued down the row of beds to the ward’s single occupant. Xavier Cross.

  Bandages covered his eyes, and the bruises were healing. Now they were mottled brown and yellow instead of the swollen purple and red marks she remembered from the rescue. The burns were healing at a rapid rate. Kendra wondered if that was a Valorian trait, or a testament to David’s care. The AI was exceptional.

  “You look a lot better than the last time I saw you.”

  He inhaled slowly. “Ahhh. I was wondering when you would show up.”

  “I’m Kendra…”

  “I know who you are.”

  “Do you know why I’m here?” Kendra wished she could see his eyes.

  “You’re here because someone tried to kill my brother.”

  Shock hit Kendra like a stone. “Azros is your brother?” Mase had failed to mention that little fact in the debrief.

  “Yes. My older brother.”

  “You don’t have stripes.” Kendra pulled up a chair and sat.

  “The stripes happen in prime. Surely he told you that?” He rubbed the bandage covering his eyes. “I haven’t reached my first mating cycle yet.”

  Kendra remembered Azros mentioning it, but still… “He didn’t mention you two were related.”

  Xavier twisted his lips in a semblance of a smile. “As first in line to the crown prince, keeping my identity secret is a matter of security.”

  Kendra absorbed that information. He couldn’t be saying what she thought he was saying. Could he? “If you’re first in line, who is the crown prince?”

  “Azros, of course.”

  Kendra choked on a laugh. Of course. He was a damn prince. Pieces started falling into place. Little things he said and did.

  “So why tell me, then?”

  “Because you’re his mate.” He said it with a nonchalance she didn’t echo.

  “Wouldn’t he trust me with that information if I was his mate?”

  “It’s not my place to question Azros.”

  Kendra’s heart clenched. This was the second time in one day someone she trusted had deliberately kept information from her. “And you always do what your prince asks?”

  “No.” Xavier smiled.

  “Good. Neither do I.”

  He laughed. “I can see why he likes you.”

  “How do you know we’ve mated?”

  “Your scents have mingled. I can sense his bond with you.” He pressed his fingers against his head, as though it pained him. “It gives me hope that we can recover from this. Where do you hail from?”

  “I’m of Sheon origin.”

  The smile died on his lips. Raw pain carved harsh lines in his face. Xavier’s fists clenched and his movements became erratic. “Did you drug him?”

  Kendra was thankful he couldn’t see her, though she had no doubt his other senses were homed in on her. “No. I would never do such a thing. Our mating was…accidental.”

  Xavier inhaled slowly. “You’re speaking the truth.”

  “There’s no point in lying. I’m somewhat removed from the current situation, and was unaware of how far the Sheon had fallen.” Kendra interlocked her fingers. “Neither one of us were aware who the other was when this started. Is the fact that I’m Sheon going to be a problem?”

  Xavier’s laugh was raw and broken. “I’m sorry. Every Sheon I’ve met lately has been dark and uncompromisingly deadly. I trust my brother’s judgment, but will reserve my own until you prove otherwise. Our people do not soon forget atrocities thrust upon them, lady.”

  “I’d expect no less.”

  She cursed her aunt’s stupidity. Skreeta had drugged and tortured the Valorian prince, and his brother. This was a political nightmare, and a personal attack on the royal house of the Valorian people. War was on the horizon.

  Azros was a prince. He deceived her about who he was. Kendra tried to wrestle emotion out of fact. If she was honest with herself, it made sense for him to keep his identity a secret. The information had been there, all along. Bits and pieces. She cursed. The mating had blinded her. She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a little less guilty about not bringing him in on the Skreeta plan.

  “What else do you know about me?”

  Xavier turned his face toward her voice. “I know you are my brother’s chosen mate, that you are head of security, and I hear that you are the one to thank for my rescue.”

  Kendra shook her head. “No thanks are necessary. And what do you mean by ‘chosen’ mate? He didn’t have a choice when this entire thing started. Neither one of us did. I told you…it was an accident.”

  Xavier smiled. “And I told you, I can smell the changes in your body. He’s taken you to Fera’na.”

  “What is Fera’na?”

  “It’s a spiritual bond between mates that allows greater empathy. You can feel the emotions of your mate, and occasional thoughts.”

  “How do you know this spiritual bond is even possible for my people?”

  Xavier sighed and let his head fall back against the pillow. “He hasn’t told you anything, has he? These questions should be his to answer.”

  “I doubt I’ll get a straight answer from him.”

  Xavier chuckled. “That sounds like Azros. Always the diplomat.”

  “Diplomat? Try dictator!” She shook her head. “There was an assassination attempt on your brother, but the assassin had been planted weeks ago. Do you know anything about it? Are there more?”

  Xavier put his hands behind his head and settled against the bed. “Months ago, Skreeta had a dream of blood and death. Murder by the true heir to the throne.” He turned his head in her direction. “She sent assassins to each of the heirs’ final locations.”

  Kendra swallowed. “How do you know this?”

  Xavier’s expression turned grim, haunted. “I was her…” He clenched his jaw. “She used the drug on me…often.” His lips twisted in a bitter smile. “Apparently, I wasn’t tame enough for her subordinates. Shortly after the dream, she became obsessed with the idea of vengeance…believed everyone was turning against her. She plugged herself in to the ship’s AI, and didn’t come out for days. In a fit of anger, she ordered my death. Instead I was handed off to…someo
ne else. My master,” he spat the word, “helped me escape. And here we are.”

  “I had no idea it had gone so far. The Sheon people are not like this. Were never like this.”

  “If they are so wonderful, why didn’t any of the others stand up to her? Release us? Some of them joined in on the fun.” His voice shook with anger.

  Fury and shame knotted in her chest. While she was hiding here, avoiding her responsibilities, Skreeta had been stripping others of all dignity, torturing them for fun, enslaving them for profit. It wasn’t just her family, or Azros, or the mining colony. Skreeta wouldn’t stop. She should have gone to the queen years ago. Her people, her responsibility.

  A strange feeling came over her. It was time to stop running. Stop hiding.

  She put her hand over his. “I give you my word that she’ll pay for what she has done to you and your people.”

  “What could you possibly do to help?”

  “I will gain control of the Sheon Empire.”

  Xavier laughed. “You and what army?”

  Kendra smiled at the echo of her words. “I don’t need an army.” She stood. “I am the sole blood heir to the Sheon throne. Skreeta’s reign is at an end.”

  Xavier grunted in surprise. “Well what do you know? Not just Sheon, but the princess. Looks like my brother has got himself a whole mess of trouble.” Xavier turned his head away from Kendra. She could see the shimmer of tears sliding from beneath bandages down his cheeks. “She won’t give up her power without a fight.”

  “Among my people, blood combat is the only way to regain control.” Kendra rubbed her palms against her thighs, uncomfortable with the man’s tears.

  He drew in a shaky breath. “Do me one favor.”

  “Name it.” She would do just about anything to keep a man from crying. Anything.

  “Make her beg for her life.”

  Kendra nodded. “I promise. She will beg for her life. You have my word on that.” Kendra touched his hand. He jerked, then relaxed. “I have to go. Thank you for your help.”

  She turned to leave when something occurred to her. “One more question. What does Desh’ra mean?”

  Xavier’s smile widened. “Literal translation means ‘dear one’, but in our culture it means ‘one of my heart’. Try to keep my brother out of trouble.”

  Kendra laughed. “That’s like asking the world to stop spinning.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “A party?” Azros grumbled, watching Kendra walk around her tiny room. She wore a lace scrap of cloth for panties and a satin corset. The corset did wonders for Azros’ libido, and nothing for his irritable mood.

  “This is her big plan?” He gestured to the loose linen pants he wore. No shirt. A collar. He tugged against the leather, frustrated. “I can’t believe she invited Skreeta. Are we sure she’ll be there?”

  “Trust me. Destiny knows what she’s doing.” She slipped on a dress that fit her like a lover’s caress.

  The silky material swirled around her legs. “Have I told you how incredibly sexy your legs are?” He arched an eyebrow, and her eyes lit up with mischief.

  “Then you’re going to love this.” She slipped on heels that made him want to weep in lustful happiness.

  “Why don’t we stay here instead? I can think of a thousand positions I’d like to try…” He crossed his arms and grinned at the way her gaze dropped to his hardening cock. She licked her shimmering lips and his cock twitched in male appreciation.

  “Only a thousand?” Mischief glimmered from her eyes.

  He nodded. “Just to get us started…and every one of them involve you wearing those fuck-me heels.”

  Kendra looked up at him through her lashes, flashing an alluring smile. She put her foot on the bed and let the skirt fall all the way to her hips. Azros had an unobstructed view of the scrap of cloth covering her pussy, and the damp circle that told him she was just as turned-on as he was. His cock strained against the pants.

  She strapped a sheath to her thigh. The strap was made of some kind of silk, but the sheath was synthetic material. Kendra slipped the knife in. With a little shimmy, she pulled her leg away from his view. She fluffed out her dress and Azros watched her movement. He could barely make out the sheath. “Nicely done.”

  Kendra smiled. He could see her nerves in the way she fidgeted with the skirt.

  Azros stepped forward and took her hands in his. “Your hands are like ice.” Her fingers were slim and lovely. Nails were short and practical, yet long enough to leave marks, making him growl in happiness. Kendra was becoming his entire world. And that was dangerous. What if she walked away when this was all over? Would it be another Alicia? This was a critical time in the mating. A place where it could fall apart.

  He pressed light kisses against each of her hands. “You’re going to be fine.”

  Kendra put her head against his bare chest and rubbed her cheek against his skin. “I’m about to face my parents’ killer, the woman who tortured the man I…” She hesitated. “I care for, and is willing to enslave and degrade an entire race of people over mining rights and manpower.”

  Azros tried not to let his disappointment show. She admitted to caring for him. For now, that would have to be enough. “You’re doing great.”

  “It’s kind of a lot to get ready for.” Kendra pulled her hands free.

  “Hey.” He brushed a kiss over her forehead. She looked up and he cupped her cheeks with his hands. “You’re not doing this alone. Remember that.”

  Kendra didn’t smile back at him. If anything, she looked more haunted. He suddenly wanted to keep her locked up in the room, prevent them from leaving. The thought of something happening to Kendra shattered his soul. He had seen the depths of insanity in Skreeta’s eyes. She was capable of so much more than murder, and letting her anywhere near his mate made his skin crawl in horror. This was a stupid idea.

  He watched as Kendra walked over to a wooden box she’d brought from her room. It was carved in intricate and delicate patterns. The finest workmanship he’d seen in far longer than he could have imagined. She opened it and caressed something with reverence.

  “This belonged to my father. The chain is the purest form of Ardenium.” She turned and held out her hand. Azros’ eyes grew wide. A tear-shaped pendant hung from a shining black chain. Reflected light made the jewel gleam in the color and consistency of blood. It was some of the finest workmanship he’d seen in more years than he could remember.

  “This is the heart of our people. The jewel is from my planet, long before it was destroyed. It was an ancient’s relic.” She brought it to him and set it in his hands. Her fingers lovingly caressed the jewel. “I thought it might be appropriate to gift in honor of the Valorian prince.” Her gaze flicked up to his. Accusatory. Hurt.

  Azros’ throat closed. “Let me explain.”

  Kendra shook her head. “No need. You had your reasons. I had mine. When this is all over you owe me a full explanation.” She arched an eyebrow. “Or else.”

  He opened his mouth to reply when a knock sounded.

  “That’s our cue.” She stepped away and twirled. “How do I look?”

  “Incredible.” He slipped the necklace over his head, dropping the pendant through the collar so it could touch his skin. It pulsed against his chest. His hand tightened around the pendant. It grew warm and inviting.

  He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and smiled. “I promise I’ll tell you everything.”

  She blinked up at him. “Clean slate?”

  “Promise.” He looked down at her. Her smile was hesitant. “How do I look?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  Mischief erased the despair he’d seen. “Like a wild sex toy on a leash.”

  Azros raised an eyebrow. “A sex toy?” He tapped the door and the viewing screen showed Mase. The door slid open.

  Kendra laughed. “A wild sex toy.”

  Mase’s eyes widened and he turned violet. Kendra and Azros both laughed. Their laughs were tense, but at
least they were there. He did an abrupt turnaround and marched ahead of them. Kendra couldn’t quite contain the giggles. They were nervous giggles, but at least some of the wire-tight tension had eased.

  Security was everywhere, as Reeva had recalled every member for this event. He was to act like a servant, a slave to Kendra. An illusion that Skreeta needed to believe. She needed to think he was within reach. Palpable hatred for the woman flowed through his body. They had planned for everything, yet he sensed the jaws of a trap closing on them. There was still time to get Kendra away from this.

  They arrived at the party entrance before he was ready.

  Mase turned around, and Azros noticed that the blue-skinned navigator had regained his bearing, and was back to an azure skin tone. “I’ll announce you as the Sheon ambassador to the mining consortium. Simien Suplato is here, and he’ll back up the title.” He held out his hand.

  Kendra and he clasped forearms. “Thanks, Mase. Good luck to you.” This would be the last time she’d see him before they left for the Calypso.

  “Al’akah, Chief.”

  Her expression turned solemn. She nodded. “Al’akah, Mase.”

  He released her and turned on his heel to disappear through the open doorway.

  Azros interlocked fingers with Kendra. “What does Al’akah mean?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “A form of goodbye. Can’t remember the literal translation.”

  He opened his mouth to question her further when he heard the call.

  “Announcing the arrival of the Sheon Ambassador to the mining consortium…”

  They strode through the door. Azros expanded his senses, searching for unknown threats, ready for an attack. “Please welcome Ashamia ah’Kendrah Deshavin.”

  Azros blinked in surprise.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Did they have to use my full name?”

  “What? I think it’s beautiful.” He kissed her hand. “Much like its owner.”

  She shook her head. “You’re crazy.”

  “Shall we? I think your subjects are waiting. Unless you’d like to run…we still have time.” He grinned.