Mortal Flames_The Magical

by Averi Hope

  Walking to her, he pulled her up by the bindings at her wrists. “Unfortunately you’re wrong—it isn’t just your body that wants me now. You need me, mind and body. We have waited long enough. You will willingly accept me inside you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The creature leaped at Raiden, and he jumped out of the way just in time.

  It landed just behind him with a sound of metal grinding against metal.

  It must have had powerful magnets on the bottoms of its spiky legs.

  A terrible feeling of enraged helplessness came over him. This is Kaemon’s fault. He stole my father. He stole two years of my life, trapping me on Earth.

  This time when the Spyre ran at him, he channeled his anger, coiling it tight, and swung his tool. It struck the creature, sending it flying. But it still landed on the opposite side of the ship.

  Time seemed to slow. His breathing filled his ears.

  Damn Kaemon. Damn that bastard.

  Now he’s trying to steal my throne. And my mate.

  The Spyre was still.

  Suddenly a voice broke in to the back of his mind. He’s taking the things you didn’t want. Didn’t fight for.

  You’re here because you didn’t want them. You didn’t pay attention to the signs that there was trouble before you left. You didn’t pay attention to Kaemon acting more like the heir to the throne than you…thinking he would never have any power.

  This is what you get.

  You’re out here, almost being killed by a robot with the mind of an animal whose creation you should have prevented.

  But you didn’t focus on your people. You didn’t focus on the welfare of the animals under your command.

  This isn’t Kaemon’s fault. It’s yours.

  He stood there, his mind dizzy with the revelation, his body dizzy from lack of blood.

  If I want it back, I’d better decide I want it—and start fighting for it.

  Not for my father.

  Not for my people.

  Not for my mate.

  For myself.

  Then the Spyre came at him one more time.

  He tried to dodge and swing, but it leaped and came down at him from above, knocking him to the surface of the ship. His legs remained awkwardly bent as his boots locked onto the craft. The Spyre turned its dark eyes onto his, its face inches from his own.

  Beneath the metal, there is still an animal that Kaemon tortured to create his weapon. A creature that didn’t deserve what happened to it.

  “Just do it,” Raiden rasped, sharp pain slicing through his throat as he spoke.

  Above him, the creature stilled.

  “I failed you. I should have prevented what he did to you. It wasn’t your fault. It was mine.”

  It tilted its head, and the pressure of its body on top of him lessened slightly.

  He cleared his throat and forced more words past his lips. “If you allow me to live, I promise that I will force them to stop the experiments. I will also find a way to help the rest of the Spyres who are already like you. And I’ll find a way to ensure nothing like this happens again.”

  The creature made an unsettling clacking voice that seemed to go on forever before words formed in Raiden’s mind. Must kill you. No other choice.

  It can’t fight its programming.

  He thought quickly. “I can try to turn you off. You’ll sleep the whole way back, then we can help them together.”

  The clacking continued.

  “Please,” he entreated. “Let me help the others of your kind.”

  The sharp ends of its legs settled on him more firmly, but it didn’t move to harm him. Is it actually giving me a chance to turn it off? Without wasting another moment, he used his gloved fingers, searching every inch of it, before finally finding the switch.

  Flicking it, the Spyre’s body went limp.

  He crawled out from under it, looking at its immobile body. I will honor my word to it. We will fix this.

  He glanced briefly at the sun, then at the dark space behind him.

  I do want it! He said firmly, knowing to the center of his being. Please, Father. Gods and Khars before me. Help me to survive this, he prayed. I will do my best to be the Khar my people need. A good husband to my mate. A caretaker of all the lives in my power, including the lives like this Spyre.

  Just let me reach Saura in time to save her.

  It took too long to rise and walk back to the door of his ship and even longer to make it back inside. Time seemed to crawl as he struggled to turn the power back on. But after what felt like forever, the console lit up and light filled the dark space.

  Now, the moment of truth.

  The ship was no longer set on a course for the sun, but as he feared, the star map gave no indication of where Hope was. I know the sector, but there’s a reason pilots need this technology.

  Removing his helmet, he typed in the new coordinates. In a moment I must try to heal my throat, although I know little of the art of healing. But for now, the only thing I can do is pray.

  And so he did.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Saura felt dirty in a way she was sure she could never wash free.

  Kaemon had left her alone, yet again, as he dealt with the explanation about her deceased uncle. Briefly, she wondered how he’d explain all of the deaths.

  But now he was back, and he held her in his lap in the bathing pool. It lay in the center of the bathroom, filling with insidious red liquid. The liquid was Sedua, made to heighten the desires of those who lay within it.

  Like I need it.

  Her inner muscles quivered as her skin slowly darkened to a shade of red nearly the same color as the water. I’m almost out of time.

  “You’re so beautiful, Saura. And as angry as you are with me now, one day you will be thankful I killed Raiden and took you as my own.” He brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “He never wanted the throne. He didn’t care about the people.”

  “Say what you like, but you didn’t kill him,” she challenged. “You could never kill a male like Raiden. He is our Khar. He has the will of the gods behind him.”

  Kaemon grabbed her throat and drew her more firmly back against him until his hot breath blazed over her throat. “After tonight, I will be your god. You will beg me to enter you over and over again. And when I am done, you will be tied to me forever.”

  She wanted to deny him, but doubt bubbled up within her. She could tell the end of her mating frenzy was drawing near. Her body felt hot, so hot that the air around her seemed to be charged with power. And her skin, it had darkened even further to a deep scarlet, reflecting the blood that raced through her veins like liquid fire. If his seed enters me in these final hours, my womb will accept his seed. His child will grow within my belly, and I will never escape him.

  Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. “I will think of Raiden every moment you touch me. I will picture his face in my mind. Remember his hands on my body.”

  A growl came from the male behind her, and suddenly, one of his hands wrapped around her throat and squeezed.

  As her air was cut off, her eyes widened and she thrashed against him. Fire burned within her chest as her vision slowly darkened.

  And then, he released her.

  She gasped in air and her lungs shuddered.

  “Oh, Saura. You just can’t help yourself, can you? Until you said that, I had planned to make this a night for both our pleasure. But now, tonight will be about my pleasure. And you should know, I get a great deal of my pleasure from the pain of others.”

  She held herself still. He may take my body, but I’ll never be his.

  And then, Kaemon was yanked from behind her and sent flying.

  Hope blossomed in her heart as she looked up. There, standing before her, shirtless and streaked with blood, was Raiden.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  I knew he lived. Saura felt a surge of relief, followed by horror. But he’s still in danger.

  Her heart lurch
ed. The blood-drenched bandages at Raiden’s throat and the pale tint of his red skin told her he was in no shape to battle Kaemon. I need to help!

  “You!” Kaemon’s face twisted in rage as he struggled to sit up from where Raiden had thrown him against the wall. “How did you survive? It’s not possible.”

  Raiden’s eyes flashed with anger, as even his pupils turned scarlet. “Anything is possible with a little courage…and compassion,” he rasped.

  Kaemon slowly climbed to his feet, his naked body still dripping with the red liquid from the bathing pool. “However you survived, you will die now. I will not allow you to take my throne. Or my mate.”

  She almost cried a warning when blue flames leaped from the traitor’s hands, but Raiden sprang to the side. The flames crashed into the wall behind him, leaving a blackened mark on the metal.

  Kaemon growled and ran toward Raiden, who slowly backed up into the main room.

  For a brief second, Raiden’s gaze swung to her. He’s trying to draw the fight away from me. Then he turned, leading Kaemon out of sight.

  She struggled to climb out of the sloping walls of the bathing pool with her hands still tied behind her back. At last she did, then got to her feet, with a plan forming in her mind. When she reached the storage cabinet, she threw her shoulder against the button and the door slid open. Inside, she saw a number of useless items before she spotted the long silver razor.

  Hurry! her mind cried as she heard the sounds of furniture toppling and Kaemon’s venomous swearing coming from the main room.

  Turning, she tried to use her bound hands to grip the razor, but her hands were slick with liquid and shook too badly. She steeled herself. Raiden can’t have survived so much only to die at this coward’s hands! It took her several times before she actually managed to grip the blade in the correct manner. Then, cautiously, she used it to cut the rope. A little at a time.

  When the bindings finally fell away, she gripped the razor with icy resolve. She raced toward the fight even as she heard Raiden cry out in pain. Stepping free of the bathroom, she saw Kaemon squeezing the injury at Raiden’s throat.

  She was no warrior. But, in that instant, love and a desire to protect drove her actions. Clenching the razor, she pulled her arm back and threw it with all her might.

  It stuck Kaemon full in his back, slicing into his flesh with its long blade. He screamed, dropping Raiden and clawing at the weapon.

  Raiden fell to his knees, gripping his throat.

  Saura ran to kneel before Raiden.

  Raiden’s eyes were filled with pain. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Fresh blood dripped from his wound and down his chest.

  Anger made her clench every muscle in her body. Rising slowly, she stood before the man who had hurt her mate. Who had hurt her. Who was a traitor. A murderer. And a monster.

  She pointed her hand at him, the movement drawing his gaze.

  “You wouldn’t,” he growled.

  An image leaped to her mind, of a woman with blue eyes so pale they were nearly white. Of a creature she knew had to be the ice goddess herself.

  “I would.” Then, ice flowed from her fingertips in a burst.

  It poured from her, slamming into Kaemon. When she’d given every ounce of her magic, she crumpled to her knees. Kaemon stood, encased by ice. His expression frozen. His body frozen. His heart frozen.

  I have used my magic to kill.

  But somehow, the notion didn’t bother her nearly as much as she’d thought it might. Kaemon earned his fate.

  Her legs shook and her head felt light as she looked to Raiden. Her mouth tasted of ash at the sight of him. He had grown paler. Pain twisted his features.

  “We need to get you out of here.”

  He nodded, then gestured to her naked body.

  How can he think of the mating frenzy at a time like this? Then she realized he was right. I have to cover myself if we have any hope of reaching help, otherwise every unmated male we see will be too distracted to help us.

  Rising, she grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around herself, then knelt and helped Raiden to his feet. Together, they made their way to the door. She hit the button and they stepped out into the hall. But the sight that met them made her blood run cold.

  A dozen guards and several members of the council circled the door, their faces grave.

  Saura tried to call forth her magic, but its response was only silence.

  This is it, we are finished.

  Chapter Thirty

  Raiden’s vision swam as he fought his body’s desire to pull him into unconsciousness. The pain in his throat was excruciating. He couldn’t swallow. Each breath was like an iron poker, burning the delicate flesh of his insides.

  But I must hold on a little longer, Saura needs me.

  His wavering gaze focused on Jetri. “Traitor,” he rasped.

  The Elder moved toward him and grasped his arm tightly. “No, my Khar, we are loyal to you and only you. We discovered that you both were in danger and came as quickly as we could.”

  Raiden scanned the faces of the men around him, then his gaze fell on Jaydee and Turk.

  His two friends came forward.

  Jaydee spoke softly, “It’s okay, Saura, we got him.”

  My mate is safe. The tiny flicker of strength he’d been clutching slipped away.

  They caught him before his knees gave out. He was aware of two people carrying him, and not much else.

  Everything after that was a bit of a blur as his people scrambled to save his life. It was only hours later that the world seemed to finally slow. Raiden was no longer in physical pain, but his chest ached with the knowledge that things had changed.

  I can no longer speak—how can I be Khar without my voice? My people need inspiration. They need a male who is strong like my father. And if the humans see the leader of the Elementas as weak, we will never succeed.

  Only, he needed to hear the doctor tell him the truth. Say it! he silently begged her. Because if there was any chance he could be himself again…

  He lay on the bed in his suite, his eyes locked on the doctor who stood over him, quietly putting away her tools. The older woman refused to meet his gaze, her long silver-streaked hair falling in a curtain around her face.

  Coward. He cursed her, although the word held sadness rather than venom.

  “Will his voice ever return?” Saura asked, giving life to the question that hung between them.

  He held his breath, refusing to feel hope even though the traitorous feeling grew in the darkest part of his heart.

  The older woman sighed audibly. “The damage was extensive. The way he healed it was wrong. It saved his life, but it’s not something I can undo.” She closed her bag and looked at them both. “I am sorry, my Khar and Khara, he will likely never speak better than he does now.”

  Raiden closed his eyes. I survived, only for this to happen.

  A man who cannot speak cannot rule. What will happen to my people now? And the people of Earth?

  For a long time, he squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t handle the look of disappointment that must be painted across his mate’s face. Or worse, the look of pity.

  “She’s gone,” Saura whispered, taking his hand.

  “I cannot be Khar,” he rasped. He strained to make himself heard, but still his voice was quieter than her whisper.

  Go ahead, my love, say what you must. Rant, rave, tell me how I’ve failed you.

  But she didn’t. In fact, she said nothing at all.

  He opened his eyes after a time, no longer able to put off the inevitable.

  But instead of a look of pity, all he saw was determination in her stunning face. “You are the Khar. Both by blood and the will of the gods.”

  “But—“

  “I will be your voice when you need me. So, we won’t speak of this again.”

  He shook his head. “I’m damaged. I can’t communicate the way a Khar needs to. I can’t be the one to lead us into a new era,
not if I can barely be heard.”

  Her hand squeezed his. “And do you actually think I’m the same female who left the Garden of Virtue those many days ago? I’m also damaged.”

  His eyes narrowed as they swept over her. No, my Saura is perfect. Her heart has always been good. She deserves better than me.

  She leaned forward, placing his hand above her breast. “I’m damaged in a way no one can see. But I need you, just like you need me.”

  I can’t explain this to her. We’ve had so much pain and uncertainty. Maybe for a little while, we can just pretend nothing has changed.

  Pulling her closer, he kissed her gently.

  For too long, she didn’t respond, and then slowly, she kissed him back.

  Perhaps she can still love me, even with all my flaws. Even if I’m not Khar.

  Scooting away from him, she stood. “If we don’t mate soon, I may never be able to carry your child.” With hands that shook, she undid her silver robe and let it fall to the ground.

  He couldn’t breathe. She is beautiful. A brave, strong, determined female, and she was all his.

  Heat rushed through him. His blood pounded in his ears, and familiar feelings of lust and love raged inside of him. Her mating frenzy. My mind may have forgotten in the chaos, but my body apparently didn’t.

  Climbing on top of him, she pulled the blanket back. Her eyes locked onto his naked cock, hard and ready. His manhood swelled under her heated gaze.

  Yes, I want you. Want every inch of you.

  But are you ready for me?

  You’ve been through so much. I know you need to be mated, but do you want to be? And do you still want it to be me?

  She moved on top of him, poising him just at the entrance of her womanhood. All thoughts left his mind. He could think of nothing but the warmth of her darkening skin. Of the soft, wet center of her, ready and waiting for him.

  Control yourself. Follow her lead.

  He groaned and grasped her ass gently, feeling his blood boiling with desire. Take her, take her now! His instincts screamed. But he fought against them. She is Saura, not just any female.