by Maven, Ella
His head jerked to the side and he narrowed his eyes. “No.”
“Then why did you touch me?”
“Last night, I felt like if you didn’t touch me, I’d die. And this morning, I felt like if I couldn’t touch you, my cora would cease to beat.”
I hadn’t expected that answer, and air left my lungs like I’d been struck. All I managed was a strangled, “Oh.”
He sat up and rose to his feet. With his arms stretched over his head, I got an eyeful of every inch off his muscular body, from his scars to his colorful skin, to the way his hair brushed his lower back. “Why don’t you wake Riven?” he said. “I’m going to ask the lodging manager to send someone to get us food. I don’t think we should leave today until we have to.”
“Okay,” was all I could say, still stuck on his earlier words. I wasn’t quite sure how to define what had occurred between us. All I knew was it meant a hell of a lot to me, and when he turned around with a soft smile, I knew it meant a lot to him too. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
I nodded. “Sure.”
He tugged on his pants, shoved his feet into his boots and left, locking the door behind him.
* * *
Zecri
I shut the door behind me a moment before my knees buckled. I slid to the ground in a squat and covered my head with my arms. My mind spun in a death spiral, and I was so flecking hard I couldn’t believe I’d been able to clasp my pants.
I wanted her even now—the taste of her lingered in my mouth. The feel of her skin was imprinted in my mind. I understood now why my brothers had been willing to go to the lengths they had to for their mates. At first, I’d told myself this was about getting Riven to safety, and Sybil was along for the ride.
But I’d been kidding myself. From the first moment I’d seen her standing in front of her child, braced for battle, I’d been gone for her. I’d ignored it until last night, when she unraveled the knots of pain tied tight in my chest.
With every beat of my cora, I knew I’d risk it all for Sybil.
Slowly, I gathered my strength and got back to my feet. This wasn’t the time to have a breakdown. I was supposed to be strong, emotionless, a machine, but all I could think about was running back into the room and falling into Sybil’s arms while she crooned in my ear and ran her fingers through my hair.
I’d never been cared for like that. Cradled. Protected. But Sybil had done that, hadn’t she? She’d created a diversion to save me from Wargo and told me to my face that she’d do everything in her power to save me in the future if I needed it. That brave, stubborn, beautiful female.
In the past, I’d felt like I had another sense where I could see what events were coming on the horizon. I could very nearly scent danger in the air. But with Sybil… I couldn’t determine what was coming for us. But she couldn’t be mine. She shouldn’t. Even if by some miracle, the three of us made it back to Corin alive, she should be free to mate with someone of her choosing.
A whole male with the ability to fill her belly with babies if she so wished.
Riven could have a brother or sister.
I’d never have that family; the Uldani had ruined that for me.
I found the lodging manager’s office and offered a few extra czens for an errand boy to get us a meal. In moments, a small brup came galloping to me on his four hooves, a sack on his back that was warm to the touch.
When I arrived back at the room, Riven was awake and bright-eyed. Sybil was brushing her hair while a rumbling melody vibrated her closed lips. She stopped when I walked inside and smiled. “Well, that was quick.”
“Czens get a lot done here.”
“Good to know that’s no different no matter what planet you’re on,” she said with a small laugh.
We dug into the food—a selection of some fried meats with fresh bread that still steamed when I cracked the crust. There was also some fruit and a tangy drink Riven attacked.
She’d downed half of it before Sybil snatched it away. She sniffed and then took a sip. Her eyes went wide. “Oh great, this is like pure sugar.”
“Sugar?”
“Sweet stuff,” she said with pursed lips. “No more, Riven.”
“But it’s good!”
“Of course, it’s good. It tastes like soda, but it’ll make you hyper and I don’t need a hyper Riven on my hands.”
The chit pouted and then shifted her gaze to me. I didn’t like the cunning look in her eyes. She cocked her head. “Zecri, can I have more of my drink?”
I froze mid-chew and looked to Sybil.
Her mouth dropped open. “Riven! No. If I say no, then he will back me up.” She shot me a fierce look. “Right?”
I was almost afraid to answer because she looked like she’d cut me if I got it wrong. “What?”
She sighed in exasperation. “Agree with me.”
“Uh, w-what Sybil said,” I said.
The human smiled proudly and Riven scrunched her nose. “Well, I tried.”
“A for effort,” Sybil said, shoving some more meat into Riven’s face. While she chewed, Sybil glanced at me. “Two things to know about kids. Never show weakness, and always present a united front.”
“Noted,” I murmured, my mouth tugging into a smile.
“I heard that,” Riven smirked.
“I know.” Sybil dropped a piece of bread into her mouth. “So, what’s the plan today?”
I ticked off on my fingers. “Rest. Clean up. Pack. Meet Haub at sundown.”
“What’s happening?” Riven asked.
We gave her a brief rundown of the events from last night, and I underestimated her knowledge of Drixonian history. She jerked to her feet and clenched her small fists. “We’re working with the Uldani?” Her voice went up a pitch.
Sybil tugged on her wrists. “Wait, listen to us.”
“But they hurt us.” Riven stomped her foot. “I don’t want to see one. I don’t want to feel thankful when we’re in this mess because of them!”
“Riv—” Sybil tried.
“You’ll kill them after they get us to safety, right?” Riven turned on me. “Because—”
“Sit down.” I held up a hand, palm out, which effectively silenced her. I’d never spoken to her in that tone before, and I felt guilty when her face blanched a pale blue. Her lip trembled before she thunked down on her butt and stared at the ground.
“Drixonians are powerful and skilled at fighting, yes, but with that comes a responsibility. We don’t attack unless there is a reason—”
Riven’s head shot up. “But—”
“These Uldani were not the ones who hurt me. Us.”
Her brow furrowed in question.
“If what Haub said is true, then he was not aware of what the Uldani elite were doing to us. A new generation has taken over now, and they are committed to not only never harming us again but carrying out some good deeds for us.” Even now, I worried Haub was lying, but he’d mentioned Rexor, Fenix, and Mikko. He knew Daz Bakut. And he’d left himself defenseless to my machets. “So Haub said he will get us home. If he does as he says, then he lives, Riven. I won’t kill him.”
Riven’s eyes cast down to the floor and she hugged Teddy. Her cheeks grew darker. “I’m sorry, Zecri,” she said in a soft voice.
I gripped her chin and lifted her eyes to mine. “You don’t have to apologize. I was angry too. I almost killed him when I first saw him and would have if it was not for Sybil. It’s okay to be angry, and it’s okay not to forgive and forget. I don’t have to be kind to Uldani again in my life, and I probably won’t be. But I won’t kill one unless he gives me reason to, or if I meet one who harmed me in the past.”
She sniffed. “I’m embarrassed.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. What happened to us was unforgivable. And if it weren’t for you and Sybil, it’s possible I wouldn’t have been able to hold myself back. But I won’t let my anger at the Uldani prevent us from getting home.”
Riven swi
ped at her eyes, where I saw a few tears. Drixonians didn’t cry like humans, but it seemed Riven had inherited the human tears. She nodded and shot me a watery smile. I felt a hand on my arm and turned to find Sybil shooting me a beaming smile. I had been worried I’d flecked up with Riven this conversation, but the pride shining in Sybil’s eyes told me I’d done okay. Maybe a little more than okay.
Eleven
Sybil
We left our lodging as the sun began to set. Riven was carefully bundled in a pack on Zecri’s back. Both of us were uneasy about what would happen once Haub saw her. It was inevitable. We wouldn’t be able to keep her hidden on a spacecraft the entire journey to Corin.
Would Haub change his mind once we saw her? Would he go back on his commitment to reparations? The thought filled me with dread, but we didn’t have much choice. Both of us had been living based on others’ decisions for a long time. So, this was the one we were making, and we’d deal with the consequences.
I glanced at Zecri from under my hood. He strode through the marketplace with a single-minded determination. His hood was up too, but there was no mistaking his bulk as a Drixonian warrior. He towered over almost all the other species here, plus his violet eyes glowed in the dimming light.
He kept his hand linked with mine, and I tried not to let the warmth of his touch distract me from what was ahead. Part of me wanted to run back to the lodging and commit to a life on the run on this planet, anything which ensured I’d have Zecri’s body next to mine at night. I could still feel the grasping of his hands, the plunge of his tongue… I shivered, and Zecri gave me a sharp glance. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” I murmured as we cut down an alley.
He adjusted the pack holding Riven and squeezed my hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
That wasn’t what had been on my mind, but I wasn’t going to correct him because that was embarrassing. I knew he’d been into what we were doing but once dressed and focused on our mission, he was hard to read. Attentive to me, yes, but not in a sexual way. There was no flirting or teasing. I didn’t think Zecri knew how to flirt. But a little gesture showing he enjoyed what we’d done and wanted to do it again would be nice…
I blew out a breath, frustrated with myself. This was not the time to think about these things. I reached up and patted the pack which held Riven. For a moment, I let my hand rest there and could feel the rise and fall of her back as she breathed. Content she was all right, if not a little cramped, I dropped my hand and walked fast to keep pace with Zecri.
We reached the small eating establishment we’d first met Haub and strode inside. The same alien who’d served us was there again.
She took one look at us and pointed toward the back door.
Zecri didn’t stop to say a word, but I whispered a quick thanks as we plowed through the back door and right into the small space where Haub stood waiting with his two guards, just as he said he would.
Zecri’s hand squeezed mine so hard I felt the bones crack, but once he glanced around to ensure we were alone with the Uldani, he relaxed somewhat.
I slipped my hand from his and flexed my fingers.
“Sorry,” he whispered, placing a warm palm on the back of my neck.
“It’s fine.” I waved my sore hand. “Don’t worry about me.”
“You came,” Haub said, not bothering to hide the surprise in his tone.
“We did,” Z answered in a tight voice.
“I’m assuming you don’t want to waste time talking here.”
“You would be correct,” Z confirmed.
Haub nodded and turned to his guards. “You flank the human. Zecri and I will lead—”
“She doesn’t leave my side,” Zecri cut in with a growl.
Haub turned slowly with his eyes wide. “Excuse me?”
“She doesn’t leave my side,” Zecri repeated. “I’m responsible for her. Me and me alone.”
Haub swallowed and blinked. “Right.”
“You lead, your guards back us up, and I’ll walk in the middle with Sybil.”
The Uldani studied Zecri, and for a moment I wondered if there was going to be some stupid macho man, power struggle until Haub dipped his head, nearly in subservience, before lowering his eyes. “That is fine with me.”
Zecri didn’t look smug or victorious. He only gripped my hand again—looser this time—and stared straight ahead. And that was the thing I was learning about Zecri. None of his posturing had anything to do with ego. He didn’t actually care who was in charge. He only wanted to make sure Riven and I were protected, and he knew he was the best to do it.
My respect for him soared. I had spent so much time in internships with incompetent men scrabbling to be top dog, that it was refreshing to be with his male alien who didn’t give a shit about power.
I lifted his hand to my mouth and pressed my lips to his knuckles.
His hand flexed in my hold, and when I glanced up, he was staring at me with impossibly dark eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, and I gave him a smile.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
His eyes softened a fraction, but he didn’t answer because we were moving now.
Haub strode quickly and quietly, and his guards were silent behind us, not even a rattle from their weapons.
Zecri took care to stomp a little less loudly in his big boots and I took soft footsteps. We didn’t want to draw much attention to ourselves, even if we were taking deserted alleys in the direction of the back gates.
I kept expecting an army of Uldani to jump out at us—Surprise! —and tell us this was all a setup. But the night was quiet. The sun had set now, and I could barely see much at all. The only light spilled out onto the streets was from lanterns in homes.
The silence was almost worse than a crowded market because I focused on every single scuffle and animal squeak. By the time we made it to the back gates, my nerves were shot.
Haub motioned for the guards to open the gates, but Zecri made it there first, busting the lock with a slash of forearm machets and shoving the doors. They swung open with a creak, and he gestured for Haub to walk through first. With a nod, he conceded, and when he walked out into the night without incident, Zecri tugged on my arm so we followed.
As Haub had promised, a few buzzers sat in a ravine about a hundred yards from the gate, gleaming and ready for our escape.
We rode over the red sand quickly, and there were times where it felt like I could barely see my hand an inch from my face in the darkness.
The dock was lit by only a few glowing lights, and a few guards roamed the metal planking where half a dozen spacecraft sat, still and silent. I clutched the bundle hiding Riven to my chest.
She squirmed slightly, probably to let me know she was doing okay. We’d poked a few holes to make it more breathable for her, but I didn’t dare reveal her. Not yet. Not until we were safely in space soaring toward Corin.
We parked the buzzers near a few other vehicles under the docks. After slinging Riven back over his shoulder, he took my hand as we followed Haub to the ramp leading up to the docks.
Behind us, the guards walked with their hands on their belts where their laser guns were holstered. Their heads swiveled, and I felt a soft breeze swirl around my legs just as Zecri stopped abruptly. The guards plowed into his back, and Haub whirled around. “What—"
Zecri’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “You flecker.”
Haub mouth fell open. “What?”
“An ambush? You drew me here so—"
“What are you talking about?”
“I hear the flecking buzzers!” Zecri hissed.
And just then, I heard them too, a low-grade hum carrying on the breeze just as forms materialized on the horizon.
Haub’s head whipped to face the intruders. Genuine shock and fear slackened his features before his lips thinned in determination. “Now is not the time to plead my case. All I can say is I meant every word I said to you. Whoever that is has nothing
to do with me.”
Zecri raised his machets in the air. “You—"
“Kill me now,” Haub’s eyes flashed, “and that’s one less fighting on your side.” He turned to his guards. “Get the human to the ship. We’ll hold them off.”
“Sybil doesn’t leave my side!” Zecri roared.
“Then she stays and gets taken by him.” He pointed a finger at the leader of the approaching attack. Even from this distance, I could make out Tajarie’s form.
With a roar, Zecri hauled me in his arms and raced up the ramp to the spacecraft. Haub and the guards pounded after us. “They’ll be here before we can leave the dock,” Haub shouted.
“I’m getting her on the ship!” Zecri called over his shoulder.
“What?” I smacked his chest. “Without you? No!”
He stared me down with nearly black eyes. “I’ll get on the ship once I take care of Tajarie. Now isn’t the time to argue, Sybil.”
He was right, so I shut my mouth as we approached a small spacecraft, about the size of a small plane. He lowered the back ramp of the spacecraft and shoved me inside. The guards followed, heading straight to the cockpit where they began flipping switches, slapping buttons, and shoving levers to get the spacecraft in operation.
Haub and Zecri whirled around just as Tajarie and his crew arrived at the dock. Haub pulled out his laser gun and began blasting while Zecri had no qualms about fighting from a distance.
With a loud battle roar, he leapt off the ramp and landed on two Rogastix while slicing their heads clean from their bodies. I clutched Riven to my chest as the fight raged below. “Close the ramp!” Haub shouted over his shoulder at me. But I couldn’t. I refused to take my eyes off Zecri who slashed and tore into the Rogastix like a one-man army.
Just when I thought this would all be over in minutes—thanks to Zecri and Haub’s laser gun marksmanship—a new set of vehicles appeared in the distance. I recognized the leading vehicle right away. It was Kilzer, and if I wasn’t mistaken, sitting next to him was Wargo.
