by Marie Harte
Dreyk smiled, a grin of true joy that had Ryen blinking as he stared. “Good. But if you really want to thank me, take Cheltam’s job.”
“That’s up to Erin.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Rafe sighed. “I hadn’t meant to go into this now, but we haven’t discussed the future.”
To his surprise, Erin glanced away.
“What’s wrong?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Ryen repeated, frowning. The big guy really did seem to care for his sister.
“I just don’t know what the future holds.”
“Honey, none of us do.” Rafe shifted her into his lap and hugged her tight. “What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been anything but someone’s experiment. The most I’ve ever been on my own was the four months I was on the run from Blue Rim. And all that time was spent evading those jerks. I’m scared I won’t fit it.”
“You’ll be fine,” Dreyk said, his words soothing. “You and Ryen will fit in, but it’ll take some work. I suggested Rafe return to playing Cheltam, because he’s good at it and Gar is driving me nuts.”
“Gar?” Ryen glanced from Dreyk to Rafe.
“My brother.” Rafe shrugged. “Honestly, I’d like to return to playing Cheltam. I get to bend the law, a little. Sernal, my brother, also my boss, isn’t around as much, so we can do as we please. And we help a lot of people too scared of the law to ask for help.”
Erin stared at him and slowly nodded. “I like that. I needed Cheltam’s help.” Her eyes narrowed. “And I wouldn’t mind having a discussion with Gar about how to deal with helpless and desperate women.”
“Helpless, you’re not,” Dreyk snorted. “Actually, he was going to use you as bait to trap Blue Rim. One way or the other, they were going down.”
“Bait?” Ryen and Erin said at the same time.
Rafe quickly continued. “Bottom line is that we need a new start, baby. Why don’t we work together? I’ll resume my role as Cheltam, Dreyk of course, will maintain his role as my right hand man, with his new apprentice, Ryen. Hell, we can always use more muscle, as long as it’s contained,” he directed toward Ryen, who looked stunned. “But you’ll be my new lady friend. My mate. My wife.”
Erin blinked. “Really?”
“Really. And this is permanent, so don’t even think about going anywhere without me.” He rubbed her bottom and her eyes flashed with heat.
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered, but Ryen must have heard her because his eyes widened, the glint of yellow in his pupils shining with brilliance.
“Erin. He’s touching your...”
She kissed Rafe’s neck. “It’s not something you haven’t done to a woman before, Ryen. Now please, go away. I’m about to get really busy really soon.”
Ryen grumbled, glaring at Dreyk when Dreyk shoved him out the door. It slid shut behind them, but not before he heard his sister’s new mate rumbling how much he loved her.
Satisfied that Erin, at least, appeared to be in good hands, Ryen turned to Dreyk. “I want to see Anin.” His reason for being. To protect and serve. Always to serve... Because without his purpose, he was nothing.
“She’s fine, Ryen. We’ll see them in a few short hours.” Dreyk paused, and Ryen stopped, looking down into the male’s curious gray eyes. Something about Dreyk drew him, but he couldn’t have said what. Perhaps it was the fact that like Ryen, Dreyk was the only other male Creation in existence...that he knew about. And he seemed sane, a hell of a lot clearer than Ryen.
“Anin needs this time away to become her own person.” Dreyk crossed large arms over an equally broad chest. “She can’t do that if you’re always there telling her what to think and what to do. Mara’s Light is a good place for her to grow, and no one will guard her better than those Raggas on board. You’ll see when we meet up with them. Hell, you’re the only man I know who’s ever taken Nu off his feet,” Dreyk added with a grin. He sobered as he stared at Ryen’s unsmiling face. “No more ‘Yes, Sir’s’ for Anin unless that’s what she wants. Like Erin,” Dreyk said quietly, knowingly.
“Were you like that?” Like me? he wanted to ask.
“I was, and it took me a long time to fit in with the inhabitants of the System. But my peer group was different than yours. We were a lot wilder, a lot rougher.” Dreyk cleared his throat and broke eye contact. And Ryen suddenly felt lost. He stared unseeingly for a moment, perplexed at the changes taking place all around him.
Dreyk looped an arm around his shoulder, and Ryen started. He wasn’t used to touching unless he was fighting or fucking. Much as he loved his sisters, he didn’t feel comfortable touching them. Too big, he feared accidentally hurting them.
“Don’t worry, Ryen.” Dreyk winked. “I’ll help you. Before you know it, you’ll be laughing and loving with the best of them.”
The warm light in Dreyk’s gaze convinced him to take a chance. After all, if it had worked for Erin, maybe life outside Blue Rim would work for him as well. And if it didn’t, well, he’d died once before. How hard could it be to die again?
About the Author
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
Other Sci-fi Romance Releases
Creations
The Perfect Creation
Creation’s Control
Creating Chemistry
Caging the Beast
Life in the Vrail
Lurin’s Surrender
The Thief of Mardu
Engaging Gren
Seriana Found
Love Through the Void
Namesake
Kate Undone
Talson Temptations
Talson’s Wait
Talson’s Test
Talson’s Net
Talson’s Match
The Instinct
A Civilized Mating
A Barbarian Bonding
A Warrior’s Claiming
Single Title
A Familiar Face
A Scorching Seduction
Tempting Traditions
For more contemporary, paranormal, and sci-fi romance, visit marieharte.com and fall in love
Creation’s Control
Don’t miss the second book in the Creations series—Creation’s Control
EXCERPT
“YOU DRUNS HAVE no idea how to brawl.” Ryen dodged what would have been an ineffectual blow to the stomach and retaliated. The snap of the asshole’s ribs went a short way towards satisfying his need to destroy. Another two kicks and the barbarian dropped to the ground, his body limp, broken and bleeding.
“Maybe next time you’ll think twice about targeting people on the docks.”
Applause sounded behind him. The need to vent his anger grew, and with death on the brain, Ryen spun around to meet the next fool stupid enough to goad him.
Fuck. “Dreyk. I should have known.” If only another group of bullying thugs had found him. The docks, however, remained silent and empty save Ryen, his unconscious attackers, and Dreyk.
The man stood a head shorter than Ryen, still making him taller than most of the System inhabitants Ryen came into contact with. Bright grey eyes dominated a face too rough to be called attractive by Nebite standards. Yet the scar on Dreyk’s left cheek and the rugged meanness in his gaze constantly urged Ryen to take a second look. Where Dreyk’s anger should have been a quiet peace remained, and Ryen had a hard time fathoming the composed man before him with the dangerous Creation he knew Dreyk to be.
“Ryen, I’ve been looking for you.” Dreyk didn’t look happy as he crossed powerful arms over a broad chest. “What have I told you about keepi
ng a low profile? You aren’t wearing your visor—”
“I can’t see with that damned thing.”
“—And without it your eyes, those spectacular blue orbs, proclaim your differences better than that gigantic frame. At least with your visor on we can pass you off as Ragga.”
“Whatever.” His eyes hadn’t seemed to bother his new ‘friends’.
Dreyk vanished and reappeared in front of him in a blink. “Not whatever.” Unlike everyone else Ryen had ever met, Dreyk showed no fear of him. “I’m telling you what you need to do to survive.”
“I’m tired of this shit. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep.” I’m so hungry... Ryen didn’t know how to explain his constant need for something just out of reach. The only things that had kept him sane in the labs were his never-ending physical training and the constant orgies he’d been forced into. It had been hard enough to sate himself with the weak women Synster brought him. At least the artificial intelligence he’d fought had stimulated him with challenge. But damned if he could find a fight or a woman who could handle him in Mardu.
“Give yourself a break, Ryen.” Dreyk’s voice gentled, doing strange things to Ryen’s balance. “You spent years being conditioned to react a certain way. You’re free now. It’ll take time to lose the urge to destroy.”
“Like you did?” He huffed, wishing for once Dreyk would tell him what his own experiences had been like. Like Ryen, Dreyk was man-made. Eyran scientists had tampered with genetics to create the perfect weapon. Unlike Ryen, Dreyk blended into society. His eyes looked normal, white around light grey irises and black pupils. Ryen’s eyes were unique. Midnight blue surrounded lighter blue bands and pinpoints of gold.
Both dark haired with coppery skin and warrior builds, the men shared only a similar outward appearance. Dreyk carried an air of self-possession that Ryen sorely lacked. Frustration rode him hard, and lately Ryen worked to stave off his rage at even the littlest thing.
“I’ve been where you are, Ryen. It’ll get better.”
Ryen clenched his fists but reminded himself that Dreyk wanted to help him, as annoying as the male might be. “You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t, because you won’t let me.” The normally stoic Dreyk frowned. “Every time I try to help, you tell me to ‘fuck off’. I know you’re having a hard time, but I’m not your enemy. If you keep up this attitude, I’m going to show you just where to put all that rage. You forget I’m every bit as strong as you are.”
Excitement churned. “Prove it. Fight me.” That he welcomed. Dreyk’s psychological bullshit he could do without. Ryen didn’t need understanding words and gentle reproach. He needed action, physical release. Hell, I need to get laid. It’s been too long. Yet he abstained, fearful of harming his sexual partners with uncontrollable desire.
Dreyk’s constant presence didn’t help. Around Dreyk, Ryen ached. Arousal flared whenever he neared the annoying male, which made little sense and increased his aggravation with life in general.
Dreyk raised a brow and spoke in a reasonable tone, shooting Ryen’s anger into overdrive. “I won’t fight you. I don’t need to prove anything. Ryen, the sooner you accept who you are, the better you’ll feel. Those meditation exercises I gave you will work if you let them.”
“Yeah, right.” Sit and stare at the walls? Think about nothing at all? How the fuck would that get Ryen in touch with his ‘inner self’?
“Look, why don’t you come with me to see your sister again? Erin misses you. She’s worried.”
Dreyk’s concern made him want to punch something. Ryen didn’t want concern, he wanted... Hell, he didn’t know what he wanted.
Dreyk blew out a breath. “Let’s go back to my place and talk. I want to help you, Ryen.”
I want to help you, Ryen, Synster’s voice echoed in his mind, memories of his Handler shoving a needle in his arm feeling all too real. Muted screams and white-hot agony flared. Then the burning pain faded into a numbness that scared Ryen more than anything.
“Fuck off, Dreyk,” Ryen snarled. “You’re not my Handler.” He slammed into Dreyk in an attempt to push him out of the way. “He’s dead, remember?”
“How could I forget?” Dreyk smiled, but amusement didn’t reach his eyes. Nor did the shove Ryen gave him make an impact. Dreyk didn’t budge one step.
“Stop being such a pussy and fight me.” By the stars, Ryen needed to let go before he exploded. As he thought it, he knew it was too late. Unable to stop himself, he threw a punch.
Not surprised when Dreyk caught his fist, Ryen waited with anticipation.
Creation’s Control
Lurin’s Surrender
Don’t miss book one in the Life in the Vrail series—Lurin’s Surrender
EXCERPT
CAPTAIN MARA SENI swore as the ship encountered another round of hostile fire from the Melan rebels.
“Damn ex-patriots.” She seethed as she fought to keep her ship in one piece. Not only had the rebels come out of nowhere in the middle of an asteroid storm, but they’d interrupted her crew’s attempts to subdue her thrashing and less-than-willing captive.
She narrowly guided the ship out of a speeding asteroid’s path and smiled grimly as she watched it destroy one of the three Melan ships tracking her.
“Damn it, release me, you heathen fethra.” A deep voice echoed through the hallway. “When I get free, I’m going to make you all pay for this,” he roared.
Swearing under her breath, Mara jockeyed her ship out of the storm and quickly thrust into hyperdrive. The minute her ship leapt out of the Melans’ sight, she exhaled with relief and left the controls to see to her prisoner.
She encountered him with the three members of her crew and stared in shock at his strength. Lurin Vez struggled under the two hulking Fas brothers and the quick-as-a-whip Catam of Mardu. The Fas brothers hailed from Ragga, a planet that bore the strongest men in the System. That Vez continued to struggle against them worried her, as did the knowledge that he’d committed a heinous crime. A man who could resist Raggas and a Mardu wouldn’t stop at simple murder if allowed to escape. More trouble she didn’t need.
“Ah, so the amber-eyed woman was not a mere figment of my imagination after all,” he rasped and stared at her with insolence. His light blue eyes fairly sizzled as they traced her from head to foot.
“That’s our captain,” Catam said quietly and knocked the captive back with a hard punch to his midsection. “Show some respect.”
Vez absorbed the blow without making a sound. Again Mara studied him curiously, wondering how a man who looked like this could have turned into a murdering rapist.
He had dark blue-black hair and sun-kissed skin. He towered over her, and Mara considered herself a tall woman. His muscular forearms led to thick biceps and a broad chest, visible through the sleeveless and ripped tunic he wore. Skin-tight, rak-hide leggings suggested similar strength in his powerful thighs.
But his face. Stars, Mara thought, irritated for having noticed. With a face like that and a body to match, this man should never have to resort to rape. High cheekbones and feline-shaped eyes gave him an exotic look, made even more stunning by his thickly lashed electric-blue eyes and full, sensuous lips. She’d bet her last bek he was Nebite, a man for whom pleasure was a way of life.
Mara watched those lips curve in sardonic amusement as she studied him.
“Like what you see?” His smooth voice beckoned her closer. For a startled moment, she almost stepped forward. Then she mentally shook herself and glared at her prisoner.
“You are Lurin Vez, are you not?” She coughed to clear the huskiness from her voice, suddenly conscious of her own sensuality.
His eyes lit but he said nothing, his gaze firmly on her mouth.
“He is,” Nu, the elder Fas brother, answered.
“We searched his belongings earlier and found this,” his brother, Set, added. He held out a System tag that clearly showed her prisoner’s likeness against the name Lurin Vez.
&n
bsp; Mara smiled, and the prisoner blinked, his gaze leaving her lips to peruse the rest of her face. “Nobless Cari Elaran has a bounty on your head.” She watched but could detect no recognition at the name in his shuttered gaze. “We’ll have you at her estate in less than a week’s time, captive Vez.”
“Why are you doing this?” Lurin struggled against the Fas brothers again, straining to regain freedom from the shackles at his wrists and ankles.
“Come now, captive Vez.” Mara shook her head in disappointment, making a mental note to continue to address him as ‘captive’. He didn’t like it one bit. “You raped the Nobless’s virgin daughter and murdered her future mate. Surely you didn’t think that action would go unpunished?”
He stared at her in surprise, as if unaware of the heinous crimes he’d committed. Mara waited patiently for him to refute the accusations; she could read the denial on his face.
“Is that what they told you?” he asked softly, his eyes intent on her face.
“Please, no more games.” Mara felt an odd sense of disappointment. Most of her bounties clung to feigned innocence until confronted with their guilt. For some reason, she’d thought Vez would be different. He possessed a core of strength that unfortunately went no further than the physical. “Nu, Set, take him to his new quarters. And, Catam, make sure all is clear for our journey to planet Jaron.”
Vez gave her an odd look but didn’t protest her crew’s handling. Perhaps now that his crimes had been brought into the open, he realized he had nothing with which to bargain.
Lurin’s Surrender
A Civilized Mating
Check out The Instinct series—A Civilized Mating
EXCERPT
TALZEC GROWLED, HIS gaze still on Skye. “Why are there two offworlders in my camp right now?”
Lisa stepped back behind Maht.
