Mage

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Let go,” she wiggled and arched, trying to create the blessed friction they both craved.

  “As soon as either of us move, I’m going to lose it,” he explained. “Just let me savor this a moment longer.”

  She stilled, softly panting. “I can’t believe I need you this badly. It’s only been a day.”

  He chuckled, which made her moan again. “I never stop wanting you. The only time I feel whole is when I’m inside you.” Her inner muscles contracted rhythmically, massaging his cock in the process. “You approve, I take it.”

  “I know exactly how you feel.”

  When she tried to pull up this time, he let her go, but his hands stayed on her hips ensuring that their bodies stayed joined. She took him deep again, slamming herself down over him almost violently.

  “You do this so much better than I do. Can’t we—”

  He executed a tight half turn and had her on her back before she finished the sentence. Then he rocked back onto his knees and began to move in fast, deep thrusts.

  “Oh yes.” She raised her arms over head and lifted into each of his strokes.

  They moved together, him in the lead like they both preferred it. He watched her face as he filled her, excited as much by the bliss in her expression as the warm grip of her body. Emotions flowed freely between their minds, but they were both beyond specific thoughts. Their gazes locked as their bodies tangled, each utterly lost in the other.

  The end came suddenly and with combustible intensity. He grabbed her ass and lifted her hips off the bed as pleasure stabbed deep into his body. He cried out sharply, shuddering as he pumped his seed into her. She followed half a second after him, shaking and moaning as sensations washed over her.

  “Told you I wouldn’t last.” He pressed her against him and rolled to their sides. “That was over way too fast.”

  She stroked his hair with a sleepy smile. “We can snooze for an hour then get ready for dinner or catch our breath and then do this again.”

  She felt so good just pressed against him that he couldn’t decide which he wanted more. He only knew he’d be grateful as long as Emily was in his life.

  Epilogue

  Four days later Vox and Emily sat in a large conference room aboard the Triumphant. Only Raylon had known of Garin’s plans to retrieve his beloved ship. Technically, the Triumphant and the Undaunted were identical, but AG Nox swore that he could tell the difference and he wanted his baby back. No one was about to argue with him, but it quickly became apparent that Garin had more than a ship swap in mind.

  He’d summoned all the ship commanders, as well as Raylon and Vox. Spouses were allowed to attend the meeting but they were not required. There were so many people in the room that it had been set up presentation style with multiple rows of chairs facing a podium rather than arranged around a table.

  “Do you know what this is about?” Kaden asked as he and Lexie settled onto chairs beside Vox and Emily.

  “No clue,” Vox admitted, “but the gang’s all here. It must be important.”

  Dakar sat down on the other side of Kaden and Lexie. He waved at Emily, which made Vox glower.

  Emily laughed. “You have nothing to worry about. Dakar is charming, and good looking, but I’m in love with you.”

  “He’s a flirt and he’s going to get himself killed if he flirts with the wrong man’s mate.”

  Garin and Raylon walked in at that moment, silencing the room. Sedrik Lux trailed behind them looking slightly confused. Garin motioned Raylon and Sedrik toward the chairs arranged to one side of the podium, which positioned them facing the audience.

  “I’ll keep this short and sweet because you all have work to do and I’m about to add to your workload,” Garin began with his usual candor. “First order of business, for those of you who have not heard, the Triad named me apex general a few days ago which means—” His speech was interrupted by a loud cheer from his men, whistles and shouts of congratulations. “Thank you. I’m excited as well. The new position will offer me many new challenges, but it has also forced me to delegate some tasks I’m having a hard time letting go. Toward that end I’d like to make my first official appointment as apex general.” He motioned for Sedrik to stand and approach the podium. “Never before has a battle born soldier been named general. Personally, I think it’s more than time. I can think of no one more deserving to be the first.”

  Whispers rippled through the audience. A battle born general? No one in the room ever thought they’d see the day. Vox looked at the other two Lux brothers. Kaden and Dakar both looked stunned. Apparently, Garin hadn’t told anyone what he intended.

  “You know the routine, Sedrik. Repeat after me,” Garin motioned him closer to the microphone. “I, Sedrik Lux.”

  Sedrik stood tall and proud, hands locked behind his back. “I, Sedrik Lux.”

  “Do solemnly swear to support and defend Rodymia against all enemies.”

  Sedrik swallowed hard before he was able to repeat the phrases, but then his voice was surprisingly strong. This might have been a surprise to everyone, but Sedrik was obviously ready for the job.

  “I will obey the orders of my superior officers and shall demand obedience from those subordinate to me.”

  Sedrik repeated the words without hesitation.

  “I shall uphold the office of general to the best of my abilities and offer up all my strength, according to the Uniform Codes governing the Rodyte Planetary Defense Force.”

  A chorus of cheers and shouts of encouragement erupted after Sedrik said the final vow.

  Garin waited until the uproar subsided before he finished his lines. “May the Gods protect you and welcome you into the afterlife when your work on Rodymia is done. Congratulations, General Lux.”

  The audience shot to their feet clapping and cheering. Emily stood as well, but she was clearly confused by their enthusiasm. Vox leaned down and said, “This never would have happened before the rebellion. The battle born have always been treated like second-class citizens. This is a big deal.”

  She smiled and mouthed the words “thank you”, but he couldn’t really hear her.

  Garin gave them a few minutes to process their excitement. He shook Sedrik’s hand, as did Raylon, then the governor and the newly promoted general sat back down while Apex General Nox continued the briefing. “Well, men, that was the fun part. Now comes the difficult part.”

  The stragglers took their seats and everyone settled down.

  “The Triad made several recommendations when they gave me my promotion. I am now commanding officer over the entire Rodyte fleet, not just the battle born ships, and the Triad made it clear that they expected me to behave accordingly. What this means to you is I am turning over authority for this mission to Governor Lasenger and General Lux. They both still answer to me, of course, but the vast majority of decisions will be made at their level. Any request that is sent to me that has not come through them will be denied. Is that understood?”

  A chorus of “Yes, sir” echoed through the conference room.

  “Good. Now, your next challenge. As I’m sure most of you have heard, we’ve been kicked out of the USA.”

  “Screw them, sir. We’ll get our females from Canada,” someone near the back called out.

  “For reasons I’m not going into right now, that’s not an option. But thanks to Vox’s lovely mate, we have a clever solution to the dilemma. Governor Lasenger is in the process of contracting couriers who will ferry the volunteers into international waters. From there, the females will be shuttled to the Fearless. The Fearless is now the designated Visitor Center. Orientation and final interviews will take place aboard that ship and only those who are approved and sign the contract will progress to Lunar Nine. This new system is going to create unique challenges for many of you. Not the least of which is our public relations team, Lexie and Emily.” He motioned toward Lexie and Emily and another round of applause broke out.

  “Go us!” Lexie said loud enough for Emily
to hear her.

  “I know there will be lots of questions and unforeseen complications, but I get the profound pleasure of referring them all to Raylon and Sedrik.” Laughter followed and Garin smiled. “Everyone in this room has my trust and complete confidence. I know you won’t let me down.”

  The briefing ended a few minutes later, but no one wanted to leave. Everyone was excited for Sedrik and wanted to know the specifics of the new program. “How many volunteers have been invited to the first orientation?” Lexie asked Raylon as Kaden congratulated his big brother.

  “Twenty-five,” the governor told her.

  “We have to do a piece on Sedrik,” Emily said as Raylon was swallowed up in the crowd.

  “I agree. I didn’t realize this had never happened before.”

  “Did Kaden know this was going to happen?”

  Lexie shook her head. “I don’t think anyone knew but Garin and the Triad.”

  Vox touched her arm and she looked up at him, her heartbeat racing at the hunger in his eyes.

  “Shall we sneak out?” Vox reinforced the question with a wicked smile. “I’ve barely seen you all day.”

  Emily quickly said goodbye to Lexie and then followed Vox from the crowded conference room.

  They found a quiet corridor and he pulled her into his arms. “Looks like everything is progressing nicely for the battle born, which means I’ll have new students before too long.”

  “And Lexie and I will have all sorts of new stories to tell.”

  He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “We might be stuck in the apartment above the training center for six months or more.”

  Emily laughed as she looped her arms around his neck. “I know that’s a sacrifice for you, but my house is tiny and older than I am. I’m pretty sure the apartment is a lateral move for me.”

  Pulling her even closer, he whispered in her ear, “What about the baby? Do you want to give birth on Lunar Nine or on Bilarri?”

  Joy bubbled up within her soul and happy tears gathered behind her lashes. There would be hundreds of decisions to make before the baby arrived, but this time she wouldn’t be making them alone. “I’ll have to think about that one. I’d love to have Lexie nearby, but I know your mother and sisters will want to play a part as well.”

  He framed her face with his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “We’ll do what’s best for our baby and for us. We are the only ones that matter. People can offer advice—and occasionally, I might even listen—but I’m finished living for the expectations of others.”

  She responded with a tender kiss as she filled his mind with love. Vox teleported them off the ship. Emily didn’t ask where he was taking her. She didn’t really care. She was content to go anywhere life led as long as her mate was by her side.

  THE END

  Please Leave a Review

  I swore I’d never do this, but here I go. If you enjoyed this book, could you please take a minute and write a review? Reviews have become an important way for readers to find new authors and to evaluate new books. My books sell well, but don’t tend to receive a lot of reviews, so I’d really appreciate your help.

  Thanks, Cyndi

  Coming Spring 2017

  Featuring Dakar Lux and Alyssa Wallace