“Separating now won’t make any difference.” Dark told him. So that was it, thought Ares. He was out of options.
He nodded, sighing. “I won’t pressure her.”
“But if she knew…,” Mac stated. Ares shook his head.
“No. I’m not guilting her into anything. She knows how we are.”
Mac looked at her mate and Dark spoke to him. “Then we will start sedating you, helping to take the edge off. At some point, you will need to make a decision. I’d say you need to pass on leadership.” Ares nodded. Dark was right. He was compromised.
“Agreed. Jedd can take over my responsibilities.”
***
Lea entered the Council meeting. The Admiral or the Empires now designated head of state would be attending. He had business to discuss. Commerce to offer and her people were eager to hear it. They had brought seed with them, grain. Lea had already given it to their farming contingency to get to work on. It was enough to plough several fields. She also negotiated the swop of a number of wild horses to be used for riding and farming, for cattle. It was a food source her people had never had. The revenue from the captured ships helping to support the costs. It would give them milk, cheese, cream, butter. Things they’d only had from goats and a required taste.
Lea took her seat as Rage entered with Jedd. That was unexpected. Ares would normally attend. Lea frowned. She wondered not for the first time, if he was ill. The other council members entered and took their seats. Leonis brought the meeting to order and laid out the business listed for discussion and approval. Lea went through the motions. She was consumed by the reasons Ares wouldn’t be here. This was a special meeting. Any other, she wouldn’t have been so bothered but this, an historical meeting with the leader of the Cyborg Empire, he would have been here for this. Items of business moved forward. Contracts were agreed. Expenditure agreed. Community issues discussed and approved. Issues of training the community took on a more heated debate but eventually, an agreed programme was extended and would continue to be run alongside their Cyborg compatriots. Her point of if they should ever have to leave, held sway. It was sensible. No one knew the future.
Rage asked to address the Council and Lea gave permission. He started to thank them, then stressed how important a new world was to them. That they very much saw them as part of their Empire and would support and protect them. They would want a permanent base on this world. Eventually it would be a good training ground with the different land structures offering challenges to his men. For now, he welcomes the newly mated couples. Stressing again, how important they were to them. Life was precious and not to be thrown away, he told them. That hit home with Lea. She felt he was directing that at her and frowned looking over.
He’d leaned forward resting his arms on the table and told them that Jedd would be taking over the leadership of the Cyborgs. He would be their representative on this Council and would make all decisions regarding their interests. Lea’s frown deepened.
“Ares is leaving?” Slipped passed her lips before she could pull it back. All the Council members knew she’d been involved with him, she’d made no secret of it.
Rage turned to her. “That is undecided. His mission here is terminated.” Lea flinched as if struck. Terminated. It sounded so….. final.
“What’s the reason for this?” She demanded.
“That is Cyborg business.” Rage got up from his seat, with a nod to the Council, left with Jedd in his wake.
Lea was angry. They’d made a decision involving Ares without discussing it with her. He, hadn’t discussed it with her either. Like her opinion didn’t matter. Like she wasn’t interested. How dare he make that decision without her! She stormed out the room and headed for his quarters. Not that she’d been there before but she knew where to find it. She headed out the village in search of him. Something was wrong here, she just knew it.
She passed several Cyborgs as she approached the compound. Jedd and Rage had gone in ahead of her. She approached and was stopped. That ticked her off more. Telling them she was here to see Ares didn’t have much effect. She was about to call in reinforcements when the medical specialist came out to see her. She held out her hand in the old Earth way and Lea took it.
“Hi, call me Mac, nice to meet you again.”
Lea held out her hand and took the woman’s in a shake. “Lea. I’m looking for Ares.” She told her.
Mac nodded and her face took on a curious look. “Can I ask why?” Lea frowned. Why?
“I gave him a position on our Council and he has given it away, I’d like to discuss why.” She told her.
Mac turned to one of the Cyborgs. “I’ll take the Principia from here.” Mac turned back to her and indicated she walk with her.
They headed into an open space with buildings around the edges. It made a good defensive position should it be needed. Lea could appreciate the layout. Ares had done a fine job. “Just so we are on the same page,” Mac told her, Lea looked across at her, “Cyborg hearing is excellent. There is nowhere within eyesight that they cannot hear everything you say. To keep something private, you’d have to be way out beyond those trees. It doesn’t mean that they are all tuned in to what we’re saying, just that its possible, to be overheard and most of them share a neuro net for communications.” Lea understood what she was telling her. If she wanted to keep this quiet, this wasn’t the place.
“I see.” Lea whispered looking down at the ground. Just in case they could lip read as well.
“Exactly.” Mac whispered back barely audible leaning in. She indicated a rough seat of boxes and walked over to sit down. “Sorry, we don’t have a coffee shop here otherwise I’d order two megas to go and a honey nut muffin.” Lea smiled and took a seat next to her. She didn’t understand the reference but got the inference. She’d be a friend.
“I must try this coffee and muff in.” Lea told her meaning it. Mac laughed.
“Once bitten, you’ll be hooked!” She told her. Lea grinned looking forward to the experience, then sobered.
She looked at the floor and positioned her back to the buildings. “There’s something wrong with Ares isn’t there?” She whispered. She looked up after she’d finished speaking.
Mac leaned forward to her ear. “Can I ask you a question first?” Lea gave a nod. “You were with Ares. Joined. You shared a bond for a short time. It’s unusual for such a bond not to be completed. How do you feel. I know the injury was severe, but you mended well. I will check that for you while here by the way. But, in yourself, mentally and physically, how do you feel?”
Lea thought about the question. She been off since waking from the med bed and had put it down to the experience of nearly losing an arm and the rough awakening with Ares but now that Mac mentioned it, she didn’t feel herself, hadn’t since before the action. She leaned back, taking in all the things that had happened and how she’d reacted or not. How she’d been different. Her mother had told her she was flat, deflated, seemed disappointed. Carolin had been more direct, told her to ‘get her shit’ together. Lea smiled. She was right about that. Lea didn’t seem to have a lot of interest in anything. She felt …… empty. More alone that ever before. She hadn’t noticed it before the Cyborgs came but now, she could see it all too clearly.
She turned to Mac. “I …. don’t feel right. I’d have never considered myself alone before your people came, but I have a sense of that now. My sister told me to ‘get my shit together’, my mother thinks I’m depressed. I’m struggling to get through the day. Some days are better than others. I’m starting to question what I’m doing, where all this,” she waved her hand around, “is going.”
Mac patted her hand. “You’re not alone you know.” She whispered. “Everyone of us who has challenged what Cyborgs consider their nature, has been through this.” Lea listened to Mac as she explain what she knew to be true. Lea had to admit it was interesting, but she didn’t understand what that had to do with Ares.
She understood the potential mate t
hing. That establishing a bond important to them. But it was clear that it hadn’t worked out and was over. “I’m sorry, what does all this have to do with Ares?”
Mac looked at her. Lea had a feeling this wasn’t going to be good. “He’s bonded to you Lea. His mating call probably started around the time that he sat waiting for you to come out of the med bed that last time. The fact that he might lose you, cementing it for him. But, on waking, he handled it badly. He allowed his emotions to control him. Something he would not be used to doing. Cyborgs work on logic and from what he’s said, there was no logic in his reactions. It was all raw passion. He realised that very quickly. But you had rightly decided that was something that wasn’t heathy for either of you. He agrees with that and you made sure of the separation. He chose to respect your wishes and remains away. His body is fighting him. Demanding his mate connection. It has started to prevent him from functioning. He’s had to be sedated and removed from office.”
Lea stared at her. Her actions had made him ill? Why hadn’t he said, she asked herself confused. And she knew the answer. He was an honourable male. She’d turned her back on him and he’d respected that. “Would you like to see him?” Mac asked. Lea felt sick and nodded distractedly. Mac stood and waited for her. Lea got up and walked with her into the main building and soon found herself in what she guessed was a medical room. Ares was in bed. He looked to be sleeping. “Is he asleep?” Mac nodded.
“I sedated him. Your scent will awaken him soon enough. I’m sure you’ve heard this but I’m going to say it again. Stay or go but if you stay, be sure. You being here will mean a great deal to him and he will read a lot into it. If you are not here for good, I wouldn’t advise staying.” She gave her a squeeze of the arm and left. Lea headed to the seat by the bed and sat down. Her mind blank. For the first time since before the attack she felt at peace. Lea sighed. Unshed tears came to her eyes. There was nowhere else she wanted to be.
***
Ares woke feeling stronger than he had in weeks. He was suddenly famished. Hungry. His displays all came on line at once. A diagnostic confirming all his relays were functional. His physical stats informing that he was performing at optimum levels. That was new. Then her scent tickled his nose. For a second he wondered if he was dreaming. Then he looked about the room and found her asleep in the chair across from the bed. He had no record of her getting here. She moved and winced in the chair. Emmi being uncomfortable in the chair registered with him as being unacceptable. Ares pulled back the flow blanket and walked silently across the room to her. Picking her up gently, not wanting to wake her, he placed her in his bed. The contented sigh from her told him he’d done right. She rolled towards him as he placed the blanket over her body, her arm resting free. Breathing her delicious scent in deep, he lifted the chair over to the bed and sat down. Reaching out for her hand, his closed around it. The contact just what he needed. Electrifying, he could feel his nanos dancing under his skin. The door opened and he turned in its direction. Mac stood there. She grinned. “I’ll get you some food.”
***
Lea woke thinking her bed had got harder since the night before, then realised she wasn’t in her bed at all. Confused she sat up quickly looking round. Ares was tucking into food in front of the chair she’d been sitting in. He stopped and picked up a tray and brought it to her. Then puffed up her pillows so she could eat and went back to his own. She thanked him wondering how she’d got from the chair to the bed and swopped with him. Suddenly starving, she focused on the food and tucked in too. She’d eaten half her meal before realising she had questions. Putting down her knife and fork down she drank some juice. It was good. Looking over to Ares told her he was clearing a huge plate of food. She shook her head wondering if she’d ever get used to seeing that. “Why am I in bed?” She asked putting another fork full in her mouth.
“I woke, you were asleep, uncomfortable. I felt better, you needed the bed.” He carried on eating like that told her all she needed to know. She realised it did and did the same, until full then pushed it away.
Ares finished, then picked up both trays and put them outside the door. He came back to the chair. Lea took another swallow of her drink. “I wish to apologise and ask your forgiveness,” Ares told her. “I was reckless when you came out of the med bed. I know now, it was my emotions getting the better of me and my lack of experience in dealing with them, coupled with the need to protect you, that sent me off the deep end, but that was no excuse for demanding you change how you are because of my failing.”
Lea stared at him. He wasn’t lying. “I cannot change being the leader of my people or going into battle if it is needed. I am always, going to be the one in danger out front if needed.” She told him. Ares leaned forward in his chair putting his arms on the bed.
“I know, and I do respect that.” He frowned. “It’s ….. difficult for me to accept that there will be times where I cannot protect you. It is so strong in me that I want to wipe out nations to keep you safe.”
Lea suppressed a grin. “Nations?” She asked cheekily. Ares huffed.
“I could.” Lea grinned this time.
“No doubt.” He looked up and stared at her.
“I am sorry for hurting you. I had no control. It was all instinct, something I am not used to, and you should know I will fuck up again.” He told her sadly.
Lea sighed. She did love being in this male’s company. It was never a dull moment, unlike the last few months. And in that instant, Lea’s world tilted. She didn’t feel empty or alone anymore. She had her appetite back in more ways than one.
“Maybe, maybe not.” She told him. “If you were with me, you’d have the chance to protect me and if you did a piss poor job, I’d have the chance of sticking it to you before you could get away.” She told him straight faced.
Ares sat wide eyed for a moment, then burst out laughing. He picked her up with the sheet and headed out the med room. They were taking up space they didn’t need, and he had somewhere better to go. His room. “We going somewhere?” she asked not really caring. Just happy to be in his company.
“Yes, I’m still hungry.” He told her breathing in deeply. He caught her eyes as he quickened his pace. Desire flooded her scent and he could see it in her eyes. He held her tighter to him. “And you are the feast I’ve been waiting for.”
The end ………
Thank you for buying this book! I know you didn’t have to. As a bonus, here’s a free chapter of book 1. Rage. Enjoy. Jessie x.
Galactic Cyborg Heat Series Book 1. Rage.
Chapter One
Kim walked towards the Bridge from the engine room. It was running like a dream. Mack would be eating his words and she would be one proud owner of a new laser gun. Kim grinned and picked up the pace. She couldn’t wait to see his face when she told him. He’d give her that, ‘I don’t believe it look’, then look all pissed at her, then slap her on the back and hand over the gun. Kim rubbed her hands together. Easy pickings. She told herself. The explosion threw her hard against the wall banging her head and bruising her arm, as she’d reached out trying to stop herself and her ribs, hitting hard against it. Fuck that hurt. Screamed across her mind as her body protested being abused.
The alarm bleared out. She tried to focus. “Kim you in engineering?” Her comm blurted. Mack. Her partner. She made a grab for it nursing her damaged arm, trying to focus passed the banging in her head.
“J..u..s..t….. left …… what the fuck, heading back,” she told him peeling herself off the wall and wiping blood from her face. “What the hell was that?” She shouted out over the noise on the Bridge over the comm. It told her everything she needed to know. They were in trouble and Mack confirmed it.
“Under attack, pirates, give me all you can girl.”
Fuck! “On it.” She squeezed out determinedly. Her head banging from the impact, she staggered back down the corridor towards engineering. Blood ran down the side of her face. The ship rocked again, then shuddered and the alar
m blearing in her ear drums. Kim looked around her at the ship. She hoped to god it held together.
Slapping her hand on the scanner to give her access, Kim walked into chaos. Fuck. She’d only just left and it was fucking perfect. She rushed to the controls and checked the damage. Dam it. This was going to take some work. She berated herself getting down to work. Shutting down both generators, wasn’t easy. By the time she was finished, the strain on her arm or ribs was killing.
She turned her attention to the engines. They were badly over heated as they continued to spark and try to fire back to life. She re-routed the coolant and shot it passed both. Steam started pumping out. That was easier to deal with than a fractured engine. She knew both the coolant and the engines weren’t designed to do that but she just knew, both could handle it. And when her gut told her that, she knew to rely on it. She checked the temperature gages. It was going down dramatically but still taking time. Kim frowned. It was time she wasn’t sure they still had.
“How long Kim?” Mack called out over the comm. Another hit rocked the ship. It threw her across the consol. Dam it. Her head pounded. Another streak of blood ran into her eye and she swiped at it, getting it out of her eyes. Now her chest hurt from the impact of the consol. For fuck sake. She gritted out.
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