TALON (RIBUS 7 Book 4)

by Shae Mills

  Talon laughed. “Well, that is a glowing recommendation.”

  “Oh, shut up and just listen.” She pointed to another dish. “That is veal cordon bleu with—” She caught his bewildered look. “Veal is meat from a young cow,” she stated flatly, and watched for signs of recognition in his eyes. She sighed. “A cow is a four-legged Earth…” She smirked at him. “Didn’t you do any research on Calley’s indigenous creatures?” she asked almost indignantly.

  An impish grin spread across his face. “Uh-huh. I knew what the planet looked like. And I knew I was supposed to pick up one two-legged creature and bring her to my ship. My directives said nothing about cows.”

  Chelan picked up a dinner roll and hurled it at him. Talon ducked it and began to laugh again. Chelan found she had no choice but to join him. Finally, she contained herself. “Now, stop it!” she admonished. “My food is going to waste.”

  Talon restrained himself and tried to sit up straight. “Okay, okay. I shall endeavor to be good. But just don’t try to explain anything else to me. It will be to no avail.”

  Chelan nodded. “Begin where you wish.”

  The evening progressed, and when all the foods had been sampled, and neither Talon nor Chelan could eat another bite, Talon tilted off his chair as if he had been shot and fell to the floor with a resounding thud.

  Chelan peered under the table at him. “It wasn’t poisoned, I swear.”

  Talon smiled. “I know, but I am ruined anyway.”

  Chelan sat up and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Oh dear. I guess I will just have to go to sleep over there in that giant bed all by myself.”

  Talon squinted up at her. “You tease, little one.”

  Chelan squared her shoulders. “Oh?” she challenged.

  Talon’s abdominals coiled, raising his massive upper body from the floor. Then he rose to his feet in one smooth motion and reached for her, picking her up and setting her before him. His hands slid about her waist as his tongue teased her long neck.

  Chelan closed her eyes and released herself to him completely, willingly. His sweet kisses inflamed her as much as she sought to inflame him. “My Lord, you may have to fight for your pleasures.”

  Talon’s voice was a low rumble. “I think not, little one. I sense your readiness.”

  Chelan’s hands slid to his soft groin, and she squeezed him gently. His deep moan caused her head to lighten. Then she released him and took a step back. Talon’s chest expanded for air, and Chelan looked over his body, his flawless, bronze skin like plating over muscles of steel. She glanced into his piercing eyes and prayed he was as controlled as his brother.

  Talon was also seven feet, his body easily tipping the scales at close to three hundred pounds of pure muscle. He could break her in two with a hand or crush her to death with his weight. And that said nothing of the damage he could inflict upon her femininity if he entered her unchecked. That thought caused her to wince, but she could not resist her game.

  Talon followed her with his eyes as she continued to step back slowly, her long fingers caressing her skin as she started to remove her gown. Her face portrayed her intent, her eyes desirous, her body oozing sensuality, yet she continued to thwart his advances.

  He stopped and watched as her hands slid down her sides, her breasts exposed. Then came her flat, hard abdomen and her curving hips. Talon’s mouth watered, but when he reached for her, she ducked from him and took another step back.

  Talon faltered, strange feelings washing over him. He stood still as her gown dropped, and his eyes went to the golden curls that hid her creamy folds.

  Chelan smiled, watching his normally brilliant azure eyes cloud, her game realized. Talon reached for her again, and this time she allowed him to grasp her arms, but she strained against him.

  Talon tried to draw her close. “Shhh, do not struggle.”

  Chelan’s sharp nails skimmed over his sensitive skin. Talon attempted to pull her to him again, but she resisted even harder. Finally, he yanked her forward, his powerful arms surrounding her waist.

  Chelan could feel his extreme hardness pressed into her belly, and she arched back, pushing against him with all her might. He released her just as she regained her footing. Then she turned and ran.

  She did not get far. She shrieked with laughter as he caught her. But then her eyes went wide as he shoved her harshly, face down, to the floor.

  He hunched over her and bit painfully into her neck. “Do not fight me,” he growled ominously.

  Chelan flung her head back in an attempt to dislodge him, but she was no match for him. She tried to twist, but suddenly, she felt his hand spread her legs wide. She gasped, realizing too late that he was not nearly as controlled as was Korba. In panic, she strained to rise up, but he immediately plunged into her, his fevered thrust driving deep. Chelan cried out in pain, and instantly, he released her and fell back.

  Chelan rolled to her side, coiled up and fought for air, her insides throbbing. The last time she had felt anything like that was from Ticees. But she recovered instantly and looked at Talon through tousled hair. His eyes were grievous, his chest rising and falling irregularly, and suddenly she felt terrible.

  “Hell, Chelan! What were you doing?”

  Chelan cringed and then bit at her lip. “I am sorry, my Lord. I only played.”

  Talon grabbed her to him. “I hurt you,” he moaned.

  Chelan clutched at him. “I am okay.” And she kissed his lips hard.

  Talon kissed her back and then looked down at her. “You play dangerously, little one. I am bred to pursue and to hurt that which flees. Normally, I have weapons with which to inflict the fatal damage.” He hesitated, swallowing the lump in his throat. He touched her neck, feeling her fine bones. “Your game only changes the weapon I wield to myself. I would have the discipline not to kill you, but I do not understand your game. With my body, I could seriously maim you.” His voice caught. “I never wish to tear your softness, my Lady. I would never want to harm that which is so beautiful. Please, do not do that again.”

  Chelan tried to still her thudding heart. “I am sorry,” she said in consolation. “I only wanted to play. I did not want it to end so badly.”

  Talon finally caught his breath. Then he looked down at her. He held her tight as his hand traced over her abdomen and into her warmth. But his touch was not sexual.

  Chelan became very still. She held her breath as his fingers penetrated her. He kissed her lips as he probed her gently. “Does that hurt?” he whispered.

  Chelan shook her head. “No, I just ache a bit.”

  Talon withdrew his fingers. Chelan watched as he raised them to his mouth and tasted her. Then she heard him sigh with relief.

  “Thank the stars—I thought I had torn you.” And he hung his head.

  Chelan shuffled to her knees and hugged him to her breasts. “I am okay. It was my fault. And you did not tear me.” She raised his head up and kissed his mouth. “And you certainly did not quell my desire. How about a long soak in the tub before our night begins?”

  Talon looked at her sternly. “Only as long as you never run from me again.”

  Chelan smiled. “You have my word.”

  Talon finally smiled and scooped her into his arms. He entered the en suite, stepped into the large spa, and sat down with her in his lap. Then he turned her away from him and leaned her back against his chest. He trickled the warm water down her throat and caressed her shoulders. He watched her soft breasts rise and fall in the water, and he made his decision.

  His hands smoothed over her fullness, and he massaged her gently. Chelan moaned and pushed back against him. He kissed her head. “Chelan,” he whispered.

  “Hmmm…”

  His hands moved down to her abdomen, one hand pressing into her relaxed tummy, the other slipping into her folds. His fingers found her soft entrance, and he explored her gently. “Chelan… I want you to have my child.”

  Chelan was not quite sure what she had heard,
her senses clouded by his sexual touch. Then she felt icy tentacles lace about her. She twisted in his lap and looked up at him. But she did not speak.

  Talon pressed on with his wish. “Chelan… I want to enter you, I want to lock within you, to feel my seed spill into you. I want our baby.”

  Despite all her forbearance, Chelan’s thoughts instantly darkened, her past losses crowding in on what had been a perfect day. Suddenly, she sat up, away from him.

  Talon ceased all motion, instantly recognizing his mistake. “I am sorry, my Lady. I ask for too much too soon.”

  Chelan glanced at him. “No, don’t be sorry. I just never expected… I mean… there is so much I must sort through… much more to think about when it comes to a child.”

  Talon nodded. “I completely understand. The moment just seemed right to express my desire for us.”

  Chelan tried to smile. She hesitated for a long time, but the shock of his request was impossible to deal with. She felt the life squeezed from her heart as she thought of Dar’s child, but she did not want to flounder under that pain again. She shoved her memories and Talon’s request as far away as she could. “One day, my Lord, maybe,” she finally uttered.

  Talon reached for one of her hands. “I will wait for you to come to me, sweet lady, when you are ready. I know you have already forgiven me for much, but I understand that your final forgiveness for my most—”

  Chelan pressed her finger to his lips. “Shhh… no more talk of the past. No more. Right now I want to continue settling into my new role. I want to experience more of the Empire, both by your side and on my own.” Chelan stilled, realizing that having a child with Talon was something she quite likely would never do. But then, she could never fully predict her destiny. None of them could. She looked back into his anxious eyes. “We shall see what the future holds,” was all she could offer.

  *****

  Soon, the night was upon them. They both slept deeply, their bodies entwined and unmoving. As noon approached, it was Talon who first roused, his quiet moan disturbing Chelan.

  She blinked her weary eyes and swallowed to wet her dry throat. She then tried to move from his chest, but his arm was on her long hair. Talon chuckled and rolled just enough to release her. Chelan flopped against a pillow. She groaned. “I think we overdid it.”

  Talon squinted against the noon light. “I think I am going to enjoy this anniversary celebrating.”

  Chelan laughed. “Well, I am glad. It will have to last you one complete year.”

  Talon turned to her and rested an arm over her waist. “Maybe we should switch to Earth years. That way we could celebrate twice as often.”

  Chelan grinned. “Now you are just getting plain greedy.”

  “Just a suggestion.” He stared at her dreamily. “You okay?”

  “Perfect,” she purred.

  Talon relaxed onto his back. He was silent for a long time. “It is noon, and we are still here,” he whispered.

  Chelan looked up at the luminescent ceiling. “Is it done?”

  Talon shrugged. “Barring any problems, the new system is in.”

  Chelan propped herself up and peered down into his warm eyes. “Are you worried?”

  Talon smiled. “No. I would have been alerted if there had been any issues.”

  “See? All went fine, and without you.”

  Talon hugged her. “You were right. If I had known I would be forfeiting all this just to oversee its installation, I would have regretted it a lifetime.”

  Chelan clung to him for a long time. Then she grimaced. “I need a bath.”

  Talon chuckled. “Me too. And the house staff needs to get here to clean things up, especially all that food.”

  Chelan sat up and tried to run her fingers through her tousled hair. “It will take a century to brush out all these knots.”

  Talon rose out of bed and offered her his hand. “Come on, I will help.”

  They both had a brief wash, and Talon donned his uniform. He watched her as she dried herself and then helped her with her long hair. Then he stepped back. “If you permit, Chelan, I will go to the Command Center and do a quick check. I will be right back.”

  Chelan smiled and watched as he walked to the doors. They opened, but he did not go through. She clutched a towel to her and stared at his rigid back. Her heart stopped as he turned and ran for his shroud. “What is wrong?” she shouted.

  Talon grabbed his shroud and glanced at her as he raced for the doors. “I don’t know. The Command Center is down.”

  “Down?” she repeated in astonishment. She grabbed her gown and threw it over her head. She ran through the doors and skidded to a halt in front of the black panels.

  Talon skirted the Center warily, his eyes on fire. Then, approaching it cautiously, he began trying to activate it.

  Chelan clutched at her throat. “Maybe there is a glitch in the security system. Maybe they are still working on it.” But the look in Talon’s eyes caused a bolt of dread to pierce her heart.

  He turned in a flurry of black and stared at her. “I have to find Lethiason. No matter what happens, you stay here.”

  Chelan shook her head. “Please! I want to go with you.”

  “No! You must do as I say.” And he sprinted toward the main entrance. But he halted as the doors parted before he could reach the stairs.

  A lone shroud stepped in slowly, moving to the top of the stairs. The doors sealed behind him.

  Chelan’s eyes darted between the two men. She wanted to run to Talon, but she was frozen with fear. Her heart began to miss beats, and she clutched at her chest, feeling as though she were in another dimension. She watched as Talon nodded to the man and drew his hood over his head.

  Then her eye caught another motion. Alarm went through her like quicksilver as the intruder drew out a long, gleaming saber, its blue blade glowing with the essence of impending death. As a second saber was drawn, the first was deftly tossed high in the air, from which Talon snatched it.

  “No!” she cried. “Talon!”

  But he did not respond to her. In unison, the men drew blades from their inner boot sheaths, combat knives honed to precision for gutting their prey. Then there was silence as the adversaries studied each other with deadly intent.

  Chelan felt her world crumbling before her, and her knees weakened. But suddenly, she was shored up by Talon’s voice. “Chelan! Get out of here!”

  Chelan stood straight, her eyes flooding. “Oh, please, no! Please, Talon, give him whatever he wants. Give him anything. Please!”

  “Get out!” he shouted.

  Chelan cringed and then faltered as the ominous shroud started toward her husband. Focusing on the adversary, she spoke. “Please, whoever you are… Please don’t do this!” But her plea was to no avail.

  The sabers clashed with a resonance that caused Chelan to grab at her ears. Then they separated only to slam together again with a force that nearly shook the Command Center.

  Chelan stared at the floor with wide eyes. This had to be a nightmare. This was not real. Then she looked back at the two men locked in mortal combat. She needed to stop this.

  She edged around the Command Center wall, thereby avoiding the two leviathans. Then, running for all she was worth, she dashed into the workout area. Through blinding tears, she found her way to the security panels at the far end of the room. She pressed all the right codes, but the doors leading to the private hangar were jammed.

  She took several deep breaths, trying to block out the sound of warfare that assaulted her from behind. Then she calmed herself as best she could. Slowly, she reentered the security codes, but still the doors did not budge.

  She whirled around and looked at the proliferation of weapons on the wall. But she had never learned how to break their protective force field, and so, they were lost to her.

  She covered her ears, the clanging of blades slicing through her skull. She had to think clearly. Her head snapped up. She needed a gun. But from where?

&nbs
p; Her chambers, of course! And she broke into a sprint. At the entrance to the Command Center, she clutched at the wall and dared to look in. There, the two herculean men were tangled, each vying for the final supremacy. Instantly, Chelan’s heart sank. There was nothing she could do to help Talon even if she found a weapon. It was impossible to tell them apart, their concealing shrouds thwarting any identification.

  They slammed together again, their grunts as they strained nearly drowning out the clash of metal. She drew herself together. Salvation in any form was on the other side of the main Command Center doors. Somewhere out there, there had to be sanity.

  She eased around the corner of the workout area and then ran for the main doors. But they were inert. She bashed them with her fists, but it was all for naught. Then she shuffled along the wall toward the hidden chambers, but they too were now unyielding. She was trapped… and she was helpless.

  Chelan looked on in stunned horror at the atrocity unfolding before her. Everywhere, the floor was stained with crimson slashes of blood. The nightmare seemed to continue for an eternity, and she was too dazed to move.

  Then finally, the combatants drew apart. A saber whisked through the air; the opponent’s shroud launched in the same direction. Chelan shielded her face as a torrent of blood spattered across her body. The saber flashed again, and she cringed, the warm lifeblood soaking her hair and flooding her eyes. She clawed at her face as she tried to clear her vision. She wanted to flee from the brilliant fluid that assailed her, but there was nowhere to go. Her back was against the wall, all escape routes sealed, her own fate yet to be determined. Through blinding tears and blood-drenched hair, she watched as the titans parted one last time, and then both became eerily still.

  Time seemed to stop. Chelan tried to straighten enough to get her breath, but the air seemed to have been sucked from the room. She looked to the floor. The once pristine Command Center was now littered with pieces of black material and pools of death. Her heart clenched.