Gryke: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 6)

by Ditter Kellen

  Andrew gasped, instantly sitting up. “I love s’mores! Can I go with Rauneca, Mommy?”

  “May I,” Fiona weakly murmured. “And only if Rauneca says it’s okay.”

  “Bring a pillow and blanket,” Rauneca told Andrew. “We are going to sleep around the fire tonight. It will be much funny.”

  Andrew’s laughter filled the room.

  Rauneca grinned as Andrew climbed from the bed, taking a pillow and blanket with him. “Did I say it wrong?”

  “Yes.” Andrew chuckled, taking her outstretched hand. He turned to look back at Fiona. “I love you, Mommy.”

  “Mama loves you too, baby.”

  Shifting his attention to Gryke, Andrew stared at him for a heartbeat. “And I love you, Mister Gryke.”

  Fiona’s heart flipped inside her chest.

  “Come here,” Gryke rumbled, calling him back.

  Releasing Rauneca’s hand, Andrew returned to Gryke’s side, his eyes wide with uncertainty.

  Gryke lifted Andrew onto his lap, wrapped him in his arms, and gently squeezed. “I love you, too.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Gryke couldn’t look at Fiona, afraid she’d see the moisture gathering in his eyes.

  The love he’d felt coming from her little boy had humbled him, but coupled with the tears he knew he’d find swimming in Fiona’s eyes, Gryke feared it would break him.

  “Gryke?”

  The sound of his name falling from her lips decided for him.

  He lifted his watery gaze.

  “That’s the first time Andrew has ever told a man that he loved him. I’ve never even heard him say it before. Not even to Brant. And I know he loves Brant.”

  Gryke cleared his throat in an effort to speak around the giant lump forming there. “I felt it. I do not know how, but I felt his love through our embrace. Innocent, yet powerful feelings that only a child could express.”

  The tears he’d dreaded seeing spilled from her eyes to track down her cheeks. “When I think back to our first encounter, it’s hard to believe we’ve come this far in a month’s time. I thought you hated me.”

  “I did not hate you, Fiona. I hated how I felt in your presence. Deep in my heart, I felt as if I were not good enough, as if I was beneath you somehow. And it angered me.”

  “Not good enough?” Fiona whispered through her tears. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me—to us. I love you, Gryke. I think I’ve loved you since the moment you first growled at me.”

  Gryke attempted to smile. “I never growled at you.”

  Fiona laughed, gripping her stomach as if in pain. “Surely you don’t believe those lies you are spewing.”

  Gryke stared down at her, barely hearing her words, so lost was he in her eyes. “I cannot live without you.”

  The laughter died on Fiona’s lips. and her expression grew serious. “You don’t have to. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I almost lost you, Fiona. Had I arrived a few hours later…”

  “But you didn’t,” she insisted, reaching up to cup his cheek in her small hand. “You saved my life.”

  Gryke turned his face to the side and softly kissed the palm of her hand. “I am the reason you were hurt to begin with.”

  “No you’re not. My stubborn Henagar pride is the reason I was in that cave, not anything you did.”

  “A word, Gryke?” Vaulcron called from hall.

  Kissing her hand once more, Gryke stood. “Get some sleep. I will return to you shortly.”

  Fiona’s lids grew heavy before he turned and strode to the door.

  Gryke stepped into the hall to find Vaulcron anxiously pacing. “You have news?”

  Vaulcron nodded. “Anthony Vaughn has identified the weapon as a human missile, apparently launched from the gulf.”

  “He is certain?”

  “All of the military personnel guarding the entrance have been killed. The angle of the blast suggests the bomb came from the direction of the gulf.”

  “Howell,” Gryke growled, striding off toward the great hall. “Does the king know of this?”

  Vaulcron fell into step beside him. “He has been informed.”

  “What is our next move?”

  “Klause is with Anthony Vaughn, discussing all our options. He has requested your presence as well.”

  Gryke and Vaulcron arrived at the great hall a few minutes later.

  Taking a seat at the long table, Gryke rested his elbows on its surface as met the king’s angry gaze. “Sire.”

  “Rueben Howell has to be stopped,” Klause announced without preamble. “By any means necessary.”

  Gryke glanced at Vaughn. “Your thoughts?”

  Tony blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair. “I think we should coordinate with the CIA on this one. They have the means to locate Howell and Kerik both. It might take a little time, but I feel confident they’ll find them.”

  “Will your president agree to this?”

  Anthony nodded. “It’s standard procedure for the FBI to take the lead on domestic terrorism. But with all things considered, I believe he’ll want the CIA’s involvement as well.”

  “How long before the entrance is passable?” Braum questioned from his position next to the king.

  Tony shrugged. “We can get through on foot with no problem. It’ll take a couple more days to have it squared up enough to safely get the ATVs through.”

  “I will soon be returning to the surface.”

  All eyes were suddenly on Braum.

  Klause spoke first. “I do not think that is wise at this point, Braum. You will be far safer if you remain in Aukrabah.”

  Braum glanced around the table before meeting the king’s gaze. “There is a matter that I must attend to back in Washington.”

  The king’s eyes narrowed. “A matter more important than staying alive?”

  “I am not certain,” Braum admitted, rising to his feet. “May I be excused? I have not eaten in days, and my body grows weaker by the minute.”

  Klause waved him on. “Go. But this is not over with. I will speak with you on the morrow.”

  Braum slightly bowed. “Until then.”

  Gryke watched as his closest friend left the room. Something was going on with Braum, something he tried desperately to hide from the room’s occupants. But Gryke knew Braum like he knew himself.

  With a mental note to speak with Braum before he bedded down for the night, Gryke returned his attention back to the conversation at hand.

  “Bring Mister Henagar in,” Klause demanded, catching Gryke off guard. What could the king possibly want with Fiona’s brother?

  Brant entered the room, slightly bent forward with his arm pressed against his side.

  “Have a seat,” Klause offered, waving to Braum’s empty chair. “How are your ribs feeling this evening?”

  Brant’s lips tightened in obvious discomfort as he positioned himself onto the chair’s hard surface. “They’re sore as hell, but I’ve had worse.”

  Gryke’s lips twitched. Brant was more like Fiona than he realized.

  “Oz tells me you are an architect,” Klause continued, pouring Brant a cup of water. “Explain to me what an architect does.”

  The next twenty minutes were spent with Brant giving examples of his trade. Everyone listened in rapt attention. Especially Klause.

  “If we can have the materials brought in that you would need, could you erect a lab here in Aukrabah for Hauke’s mate to work in?”

  Brant met the king’s gaze. “I can go one better than that. I can build a hospital for the sick, a school room for the children, and a proper kitchen in all apartments. I can even have electricity and cable ran down here.”

  The king lifted an eyebrow. “Like the televisions in the hotel in Cuba?”

  “I don’t know about Cuba,” Brant chuckled, “but yes, cable television would be available.”

  Klause leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I do not wis
h to change the Bracadytes’ ways, but some human luxuries would not be so bad.”

  Gryke listened as everyone began speaking at once, each with his own ideas of what should and shouldn’t be brought into Aukrabah.

  Slowly rising to his feet, Gryke addressed his king. “I must go and see about my mate.”

  Klause waved him on, immediately returning his attention back to Fiona’s brother.

  With an inward smile, Gryke strode from the room. Life would go back to normal soon, and Aukrabah would thrive as it always had. Even more so.

  Epilogue

  Six Weeks Later

  Gryke strode into Fiona’s room without announcing his presence. He’d been doing it more often since her near-death experience, weeks before in that cave.

  “What is this?” he asked, glancing at the table.

  Plates of delicious-smelling foods were set up with utensils resting next to them. A bottle of wine sat in the center between to two extremely delicate-looking glasses and a couple of red burning candles.

  “Andrew is staying the night with a friend, so I thought we’d have a nice romantic dinner for two.”

  Gryke turned to face Fiona, his gaze sliding down her body in appreciation. “You expect me to eat with you showing so much skin?”

  “Abbie lent it to me. Do you like it?”

  Like it? He was on the verge of swallowing his tongue.

  The black dress she wore was open in the back and tied around her neck. It barely covered her thighs. “I want to remove it with my teeth.”

  Fiona laughed. “Maybe after we eat. Now sit.”

  Gryke couldn’t take his gaze off her. He moved to the table, watching her every move, and sat in the chair she’d indicated. “I have never seen you look more beautiful.”

  “I feel the same about you.” She lowered herself into the chair across from him and picked up her fork. “I hope you like it.”

  Gryke had barely noticed the food. He hungered only for Fiona.

  “Eat.” She laughed, taking a bite of her own food.

  Shifting his attention to his plate, Gryke’s mouth watered instantly. “It smells divine. What is it?”

  Fiona poured them each a glass of wine. “Pot roast, baby new potatoes, and stuffed peppers.”

  Gryke stabbed one of the new potatoes with his fork and popped it into his mouth. His eyes rolled back in his head.

  “This is delicious,” he admitted, already stabbing another one.

  Fiona smiled and took a drink of her wine. “Have you seen the new entrance to Aukrabah?”

  “It is enormous. We now have electricity for the first ten miles in. It should arrive down here within the next month or so.”

  Fiona’s eyes lit up. “That means I’ll have a blow dryer.”

  Gryke grinned. “Of all the things you could wish for, you want a blow-dryer?”

  “It’s a chick thing,” she responded with a chuckle.

  The feel of her bare toe sliding up his leg, sent blood rushing straight to his already semi-hard shaft.

  He shifted in his seat, sliding forward to give her better access.

  “Fiona…” he groaned as the pad of her foot gently coasted up over his erection.

  Pushing his plate back, Gryke blew out the candles and stood with his hand extended.

  Fiona placed her palm in his. “Now?”

  Gryke nodded. “But not here.”

  He suddenly bent and swung her up into his arms.

  “Where are you taking me?” she breathed as he strode into the hall.

  “Somewhere I should have taken you long ago.”

  Gryke passed the great hall, taking a tunnel that would lead them away from the living quarters.

  The feel of Fiona in his arms, her sweet-smelling hair tickling his face as she rested her head against his neck only fueled his determination even more.

  Minutes passed before Gryke reached his destination.

  Fiona lifted her head and glanced around. “What is this place?”

  “It is called the Cave of Anointment.”

  The dimly lit room consisted of a small rounded pool in its center. Steam rose up to hang in the air, resembling the fog on the gulf’s surface at sunrise.

  Scented oils in glass containers of every color lined the walls, releasing fragrances of soft musk and flowers. Gryke had only been here once as a child.

  “It’s beautiful. What is it for?”

  He gently lowered her to her feet. “Brides are brought here to be prepared for their mating bed.”

  “Brides?” Fiona whispered, her voice husky with emotion.

  Lowering to his knees before her, Gryke took her hand in his like he’d seen the humans do on television. He pulled the ring from its holding place in the waistband of his shorts and lifted his gaze to her tear-filled eyes. “Fiona Henagar? Would you do me the honor of being my mate, to have and to hold, in this life and the next?”

  “I do,” Fiona choked out, blinking back her tears as Gryke slipped the diamond ring on her finger. “Now and forever.”

  Gryke had never known love like he felt in the presence of Fiona. She was everything he could dream up and more.

  He rose to his feet and covered her beautiful lips with his, opening his mind to let her feel the full depths of his emotions. “I give you my life. My heart, my mate…my everything.”

  ~The End~

  Braum-Book Seven in the Enigma Series-Coming Soon!

  Read below for a sneak peek into the pages of Vlad the Impaler-Book Three in the Seeker Series.

  Chapter One

  Vlad had always loved the night. It represented safety, peace, and desire. Only, he hadn’t felt anything close to desire in centuries.

  Glancing up at the Alaskan sky, he attempted to recall the last time he’d enjoyed sex or participated in sex for that matter. But the memories were vague at best.

  “Will you be needing anything else from me before I retire, my lord?”

  Vlad had sensed Mordecai’s approach long before his otherwise silent arrival. The elderly butler had been with him for over fifty years and was the only human Vlad completely trusted.

  “I don’t require anything further this evening. Have a good night, Mordecai.”

  “You as well, my lord.”

  Pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head, Vlad ventured out to the hot springs bubbling in the distance.

  He stared into the pool’s depths for long moments, debating on whether or not to strip out of his clothing and sink into its welcoming warmth.

  A wolf’s howl sounded in the distance, echoing through the mountains in a haunting melody of pain.

  The animal had likely been injured in one of the bear traps set by the locals, Vlad thought, his vision sharpening with vampiric precision.

  Vlad despised the wolves, almost as much as he despised his own immortality.

  Another agonizing howl split the night, signaling the descent of Vlad’s fangs.

  He lifted his heated gaze in the direction of the tormented sound, his breaths suddenly coming in rapid succession. Vlad had one thing on the brain as he blurred his way to the foot of the mountain… Death.

  A shot rang out, slowing Vlad’s steps. His vision sharpened, scanning the distance for signs of hunters.

  Vlad could hear the bullet enter the wolf’s flesh, wringing a cry from the animal’s throat.

  His fangs lengthened in rage. How dare someone deprive him of the kill?

  Taking off in the direction of the gunfire, Vlad ran with the speed born of a vampire, stopping directly in front of a raised rifle.

  He could hear the intruder’s heartbeat thumping inside his chest at an increased rate.

  The man jerked his rifle higher up against his shoulder and pulled the trigger.

  Vlad easily sidestepped the bullet, bending the barrel of the weapon with enough force that the stranger fell to his knees.

  “Who are you?” Vlad rasped, looming over the cowering man.

  The guy stared back in rebelli
on. “Fuck you, vampire.”

  Bending down, Vlad gripped the man’s jacket and yanked him to his feet. “Vampire being the key word here.”

  Vlad struck, sinking his fangs into his victim’s throat hard enough he hit bone.

  The guy began to struggle, boring Vlad with his feeble attempts at escape, until he stopped moving altogether.

  Disgusted, and more than a little disappointed over the fact of losing the hunt of the wolf, Vlad dropped the corpse at his feet.

  One of the things Vlad hated about draining his dinner was disposing of the body. But bury it he must. He couldn’t afford to leave it lying about to be discovered by trappers.

  He trailed back toward the house, keeping his senses on alert, and grabbed a shovel.

  White puffs of smoke surrounded Vlad’s face with every breath he took as he made his way back to the dead body.

  Vlad loved the winter, and he loved Alaska. It had been his home for over a century. Romania would always be his heart, but nothing compared to the quiet serenity of the mountains of Anchorage.

  Being alone had become a way of life for Vlad, long ago. It wasn’t that he hated humans— Oh, who was he kidding? He positively despised them, had for centuries. They were a means for a vampire’s survival. Period.

  But nothing got Vlad’s ire up more than a shifter. Part human, part animal, shifters stalked that which they deemed a threat. Namely, vampires.

  Vlad buried the dead body with swiftness, tossing some brush over the grave to camouflage its existence before turning toward home.

  A soft whine reached his ears, barely audible over the sounds of the forest. Vlad stilled, expanding his senses to the hills beyond.

  The sound came again, fainter this time, summoning Vlad’s predatory nature like a moth to a flame.

  The injured wolf had obviously survived the gunshot wound, Vlad assumed, changing course.

  He blurred his way toward the injured animal, the wind whipping his cloak around as he dodged the massive trees lining the foothills of the mountain.

  His lip curled over a fang with the first glimpse of the giant white wolf, lying on its side, struggling to breathe.