by Anna Hackett
Except for wanting to jump your bones. She nodded and moved her head. Her lips accidentally brushed against his skin. She felt him tense beneath her.
Sam had always been upfront about sex. If she saw a guy she liked, she asked him out. It hadn’t happened a lot. Work, especially working on a space station, had kept her pretty busy. She never dated people she worked with, so her hookups were limited to her trips back to Earth.
Her last relationship had been a disaster. Rex had been a high-powered businessman in New San Francisco. On their last date, she’d saved him from being mugged. Instead of the thank you she’d expected, he’d been angry. Told her everything she did emasculated him and that she wasn’t feminine enough. She’d dumped the asshole as quick as she could.
Unfortunately, most of the men before Rex hadn’t been much better.
She breathed Galen in. She was pretty sure that nothing she did would make Galen feel emasculated. She tried to remind herself that Galen was a man holding the fate of all the surviving humans in his scarred palm.
But her body wasn’t listening. She moved her hand, rubbing her fingers over his flat nipple.
He groaned and they both went still.
“Galen.” She looked up at his face and she saw something working in his crystal-blue eye.
“Sam…you’re vulnerable…”
She smiled at his obvious line of thought. “And you’re not going to take advantage of me, right?”
“Correct.”
She moved her fingers over his chest, caressing the hard slabs of muscle. “What if I want you to take advantage of me?”
He sucked in a breath and reared up. He pushed her onto her back and rolled on top of her. “No.”
Sam felt the rapid beat of his heart under her palms and an ugly thought slid into her head. “You don’t want me?” Maybe Galen liked sweet, pretty little things that made him feel big and strong.
His hand gripped her wrist. “We both know that isn’t true,” he growled.
Her tense muscles relaxed and she slid a hand up to cup his stubbled cheek.
“But you’ve been through an ordeal,” he added.
“Galen?”
His eye glittered. “What?”
“Shut up.” She pushed, rolling until he was flat on his back, and she straddled him. She leaned down and kissed him.
His hands clamped on her hips, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. Oh, so good. The kiss was hard and rough, and she wanted it to never end. Liquid heat poured through her, and her only thought was that nothing had ever felt so good, so right.
The kiss deepened, turning fierce. Galen rolled them again until he was on top, his body fully settling on hers. She loved the solid weight of him, and the hard bulge of his cock between her legs. A very generous cock. She lifted her hips, grinding against him. A groan tore through him, mingling with her own husky cries.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” The low voice of the wraith leader.
Galen froze then pressed his forehead to hers.
“Night is falling,” Catto said. “We’ve brought you some food and clothes.”
Galen gathered himself, pushed off Sam, and rose. “Thank you. For all your assistance.”
The wraith nodded and left.
Sam sat up. The drying cloth did nothing to hide Galen’s large, erect cock. She swallowed.
He grabbed one of the plates the wraiths had left. “Here.” He set the food down for her.
She didn’t recognize a single thing, but her mouth watered. Everything looked fresh and wonderfully edible. There was nothing that stank or was rotting. She started trying things—sweet fruits, tasty meats, something she thought might be a kind of cheese.
Galen popped a few things in his mouth, then moved to the pile of clothes resting on a rock. Sam didn’t even pretend not to watch as he dressed. He pulled on black leather trousers, giving her a brief flash of a muscular flank, and then fastened a leather harness across his chest.
After her belly was full, she fished around in the clothes and pulled on a pair of leather trousers of her own. They were slightly too small, which made her think they’d originally been made for a child, and cupped her ass like an eager lover, but they were better than anything she’d been given at Zaabha. She pulled on a beige shirt that felt soft on her skin, and tucked it into her trousers. Galen’s boots and her sandals had been cleaned and returned. Lastly, she strapped her sword on.
She turned and found Galen watching her.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
She nodded. He looked at her with a flat stare, like they hadn’t kissed or touched each other. She sighed. Maybe it was better this way. Better not to succumb to this crazy, intense desire that would complicate everything for them.
They headed out of the cave, and two wraith guards met them. Silently, they followed the wraiths through the twisting tunnels and came out into the night-drenched desert.
Ahead, she saw the wraith leader standing beside a large, cat-like beast. Sam sucked in a breath. She’d seen similar creatures in the arena—they liked to tear their prey apart.
But this one sat quietly, watching them with calm, golden eyes. It reminded her of a black panther, just bigger. It also had a blanket tied onto its back.
Catto waved at the beast and Galen strode forward. He climbed on, finding his seat. Sam climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his hard body.
“It is a short run to the trading post,” the wraith leader said. “We will escort you to the gates.”
Someone let out a sharp whistle, and the beast sprang into action. Sam gripped Galen harder, watching as he directed the beast with the simple leather reins. Several wraiths fell into step beside them, running alongside with ease. They were fast and nearly invisible. Amazing.
She had no idea how far the trading post was, but the minutes turned to hours. Carthago’s moons rose up into the sky, brighter than the moon on Earth. For the first time, she let herself enjoy the view. She’d only ever seen them from Zaabha’s arena, but now, wrapped around Galen’s warm body, feeling fed and clean, she watched the moons and felt something inside her relax. She had to admit that even though much of Carthago could kill, the planet possessed a harsh beauty she liked.
Some of the wraiths were murmuring in their quiet language, and the sound caught her ear.
“Look,” Galen said.
Peering over Galen’s shoulder, Sam spotted the glow of light on the horizon.
As they got closer, she saw a large, metal fence surrounding a desert village. The Al-Maa Trading Post. Galen pulled the beast to a halt some distance from the gates. They were close enough now that from inside, she heard raucous laughter.
“This is where we leave you,” the wraith leader said. “Travel well, Imperator Galen.”
“Thank you again.” Galen bowed his head.
In a blink, the wraiths were gone. Sam strained to see them, but it was like they were never there. The beast they’d ridden bounded into the darkness after them.
Galen grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the trading post entrance.
A bored-looking guard sitting above the gate eyed them for a moment before he lifted a hand and flicked a finger. One of the large gates creaked open just enough to let them inside. As they entered, Sam’s gaze landed on deep, jagged scratches in the metal.
“What the hell did that?” she asked.
“Night beasts. The desert is filled with some unfriendly creatures, especially after the suns have set.”
Sam was happy when the door clanged shut behind them.
Inside, the place looked as though she’d stepped back in time. The buildings were made of beige, clay-like bricks with dome-shaped roofs. The trading post was laid out haphazardly around a few dusty streets, and she saw several large pens filled with numerous kinds of beasts that she assumed people rode and traded.
She glanced at Galen. He was eyeing the place impassively. “What now?”
“We need to contact the House of Galen.” H
e strode forward, pulling her with him.
As they headed down the street, passing some open-fronted stalls selling goods and food, she could hardly believe she was out of Zaabha. Here, people were going about their daily lives, most likely completely unaware of the horror that floated in the sky somewhere above them, and it felt a bit surreal to her.
Galen stopped in front of the building that Sam guessed had to be a bar. A bright light blinked above the entrance, and inside, she heard the rumble of conversation punctuated by wild laughs and music. She might be half a galaxy away from Earth, but some things were the same.
Inside, the building was filled with a haze of smoke. People huddled around small tables, or sat at the long bar at the back. On one side of the space was a small stage, where a thin, green-skinned woman with dreadlocks writhed desultorily.
Galen nodded to the bar. As they reached it, a large, alien bartender looked up from cleaning dirty glasses with a rag. Sam hadn’t seen his species before. He had brown skin, hulking shoulders, and a single eye resting in the center of his forehead.
“I need a communicator,” Galen said.
The bartender’s set face didn’t change. “Tech don’t work well out here.”
“I’ll pay.”
The bartender ran his gaze over their simple clothes and lack of gear. “Don’t think you can.”
“I’ll pay when my people arrive,” Galen amended.
The bartender shook his head. “Only take upfront payment.”
Galen pressed his palms to the bar and leaned forward. “Listen—”
Sam drew her sword, and in a flash, held the tip against the bartender’s throat. “You’re speaking with an imperator, so show some respect.”
The man’s eye widened, and his gaze moved to Galen’s face and eyepatch. “Galen,” he breathed.
Galen shot her an amused look, before he turned back to the bartender and inclined his head.
“There is no charge for the Imperator of the House of Galen.” The big man threw his rag on the bar. “This way.”
Chapter Five
“If the night beasts get you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Galen ignored the guard’s warning and strode out of the gates of the trading post. Sam followed right behind him. Stars dotted the night sky above, but in the distance, one light was brighter than the others.
It wasn’t a star, it was the light of an approaching ship.
They waited in silence, but Galen continuously scanned their surroundings. He was getting Sam out of there safely and wasn’t going to let a hungry night beast take a bite out of them.
The ship roared overhead, lights illuminating the ground and engines kicking up sand as it landed.
“Holy hell.” Sam looked up, her gaze glued to the sleek ship.
Galen watched as the ramp at the side of the ship lowered, and his gladiators strode out.
Sam stared, taking them all in. “They sure know how to make an entrance.”
Raiden’s red cloak whipped around behind him. He had a sword held in his hand and Harper was by his side. Behind them came the rest of his gladiators, all carrying swords, axes, and staffs.
As Raiden neared, a smile lit up his face. “Should have known you wouldn’t wait for us to rescue you.”
“You were taking too long.” He and Raiden slapped each other on the back.
Saff pushed forward and gave Galen a tight hug. “Don’t do that again.”
He turned his head and saw that Sam was flanked by Harper and Blaine. They were smiling and hugging each other.
It was time to go home.
“We’ve had a hell of a few days.” Galen took Sam’s arm. “Let’s get Sam off her feet.”
He led her up the ramp and into the shuttle. The ship’s interior was decorated in shades of gray, and everything was slick and streamlined. Rows of comfortable seats filled the back of the shuttle, and the front narrowed to the high-tech cockpit.
Galen’s gaze fell on the man in the pilot’s chair. Rillian—owner of the Dark Nebula Casino—was, as always, polished and immaculate. Beside him, in the co-pilot’s chair, was his woman, Dayna. The human woman jumped to her feet and rushed over to give Sam a hug.
“It is so good to see you,” Dayna said.
“You too.” Sam glanced at Rillian, and then around the ship. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Our pleasure.” Rillian smiled as he tapped the console in front of him. “Now, everyone strap in. We need to get moving. This journey is testing the limits of the ship’s desert capabilities.”
Dayna quickly explained to Sam about minerals in the sand that messed up engines and technology. She led Sam over to one of the plush passenger chairs.
“Drakking good to see you alive, G,” Raiden said.
“Good to be alive.” Galen dragged in a breath. “It was touch and go, but we made it. Had some help from the local wraiths.”
He saw his gladiators strapping in and moved to sit in the space beside Sam. They hadn’t even left the trading post yet, and he found that he missed having her right beside him.
He pulled his belt on, and a second later, the ship rose straight up. Galen glanced out the long side window and watched the lights of Al-Maa disappear from view.
“Now, tell us what happened.” Raiden demanded.
Galen looked at Sam. Together, they recounted the story of their escape from Zaabha.
“Implants?” Raiden eyed the remains of Sam’s implant.
“The Thraxians are planning something,” Sam said. “And it involves the implants.”
“We just don’t have all the details yet,” Galen said.
“Sand suckers,” Thorin growled.
Saff crossed her arms. “Crudspawn.”
“Whatever they have planned, we will stop them,” Galen said.
“You have a plan?” Kace asked.
“I’ll need Zhim and Ryan to find everything they can on the implants. We need to reexamine Neve’s implant, plus get whatever we can off Sam’s, once it is removed.” He saw her fingering the remains still attached to the side of her head.
“There is one main Thraxian scientist in charge of the implant research,” Sam said. “He keeps everything on a data crystal in his lab at Zaabha.”
Galen nodded. “Then we’ll go in, destroy the data crystal, and capture the scientist. Then we free the prisoners and annihilate Zaabha once and for all.”
“And the Thraxians, the Srinar, and the rest of their allies?” Raiden asked, something hard in his gaze.
“They will suffer their own fate,” Galen said. “Imprisoned somewhere for the rest of their lives.”
“Coming up on Kor Magna,” Rillian called from the cockpit.
Galen unbuckled his belt, stood, and grabbed Sam’s hand. As he led her over to a larger window, he was conscious of everyone watching them. He pulled her to the glass. “Welcome to Kor Magna.”
“Wow,” she murmured. “It looks like a carpet full of glowing jewels.”
The lights of the city did look pretty against the darkness. “It’s not so pretty in the daytime, but it has a lot to offer. You have a home here.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you, Galen.”
“Thank you, Sam. I would have died at Zaabha without your help.”
“I’m not sure I believe that.” Her face turned serious. “I want in on the mission to end the Thraxians and Zaabha.”
Everything inside Galen instantly rebelled. He was a protector by nature, born and bred. She’d just escaped that sand-sucking hellhole, and he didn’t want her going anywhere near it again.
He didn’t want to risk her, especially after everything she’d been through.
But her dark gaze steadily held his. There might be fear hidden in there, but it was buried beneath steely determination. He knew she was a warrior, a fighter, a gladiator.
There was also another part of him rising up, one that he had little experience with. A part that wanted to see Sam happy and give her what
ever she wanted. Whatever she needed.
“As you wish.”
Sam finally flicked off the hot water in the shower. She’d been in there for close to an hour, and it had felt heavenly.
Naked, she stepped out onto the cool tiles of the bathroom connected to her new bedroom.
She wrapped herself in a large, soft, drying cloth. Her new room in the House of Galen, in the Kor Magna Arena, in the city of Kor Magna, on the alien planet of Carthago. She shook her head. Her life had sure taken a few unbelievable twists.
She released a breath and looked at herself in the foggy mirror. She was trying to focus on her gorgeous, comfortable surroundings, but dark memories of her cell kept butting in. Even as she tried to take in the simple beauty of the room around her, she remembered cold rock, the scent of rotting food, the feel of arena sand beneath her feet, and the screams echoing in the air.
She sucked in another breath.
Maybe because none of this was really hers. She’d had nothing at Zaabha, and despite this luxurious suite around her, she still had nothing. Her wet hair dangled around her face, and she brushed it back, studying the metallic remnants of the implant stuck to her skin. She was getting the damn thing removed today, so maybe that would help her feel more normal.
The other human women were here at the House of Galen and in the city. They’d all survived, and Sam knew she would too. She’d make sure of it.
She moved out into the lovely bedroom. Gauzy, white curtains billowed over the arched windows looking out into the training arena below, and the room was dominated by the large bed she’d slept in the night before.
After only a few steps, she froze. Someone had been in her room while she’d showered.
The bed now had several soft-looking pillows stacked against the headboard, and a fluffy, gray blanket rested at the foot. Her chest tight, she moved over and stroked the fabric. It was exquisitely soft. Almost like a cloud.
On the bedside table was a large vase of alien flowers in a multitude of colors. A picture had been added to the wall. It was a painting of two full moons hanging in a beautiful night sky. It reminded her of riding on the beast in the desert with Galen.
Galen.
