by Hope Hart
I pause and let this realization sink in. I slept in his arms last night. He may have been exhausted, but he could have hurt me if he wanted to. Instead, I had the best sleep I’ve had in over a year, and I can’t remember any nightmares.
I eye him as he moves closer after the class.
“You owe me, female,” he says.
I raise an eyebrow, amused despite myself.
“And why would that be?”
“Your terror made me jump to your defense. And Aulan tackled me when I didn’t expect it.” He angles his head to show me the bruise blooming on his jaw.
I feel the strangest urge to laugh at his ‘poor me’ act.
“Aw, poor baby.”
He gives me a sour look and I really do laugh. It’s rusty, and I’m so startled at the sound that I cut it off.
Vazta’s eyes heat and he moves closer, crowding me.
“Do that again,” he breathes, and I swallow.
I shake my head and he sighs.
“You will laugh for me again soon, female.”
“If you say so.”
He rubs his cheek and I really do feel bad for a moment. The poor guy has had a rough couple of days. He sees me watching and steers me to a quiet corner of the training center.
“I require you to kiss it better,” he informs me.
My mouth drops open. The Arcav learned kissing from us.
“Who taught you about that?”
He smiles. “Eve.”
I ignore the jealousy that shoots through me. Eve is happily mated to Korva, and those two are rarely apart.
Vazta seems to read my mind.
“Korva was hurt in training and Eve kissed it better. You do not need to be jealous, although the fact that you feel this way pleases me,” he says with a smug grin.
I squint up at him, frowning, and his grin widens.
“So?” he asks.
I sigh, and against my better judgment, I raise onto my tiptoes. I grab one of his shoulders for balance and he stays perfectly still as I gently press a kiss against his jaw.
His body vibrates like he’s about to lose control.
Chapter Six
Vazta
The feel of my female’s body so close, her hand on my shoulder, her lips on my skin…
I shudder against her and she freezes like a hunted animal.
I slowly pull away and force myself to grin.
“Thank you for kissing it better,” I rasp, and she nods, her gaze darting away.
I sigh.
“Varian would like to speak with you,” I say, and her eyes meet mine again.
“Did he say what it’s about?”
“No. I will go with you.”
She nods again and we’re both quiet on the way to the palace. In my mind, I keep seeing her staring at Roax, her body so tiny compared to his. What atrocities has this female faced since she was stolen from her planet?
The kind of atrocities that make her cry out in her sleep. She writhed against me last night, tears rolling down her cheeks. I tried to stay on my side of the bed, certain that if she woke up with my larger body looming over her, she would inevitably panic.
When she began whimpering as if her heart was breaking, I could take it no more. I wrapped her in my arms, murmuring to her as I kissed her tears away and she quickly calmed, falling back into a deep sleep.
It was one of the best nights of my life.
I have been with many females over my lifetime. Enough that their faces tend to blur together. But the feeling of my mate, curled up next to me, trusting me not to hurt her when trust is so difficult for her…
Indescribable.
“Vazta?”
I blink, realizing we are at the palace. I have navigated the pod with my mind elsewhere and Peyton is frowning slightly at me, obviously concerned.
I smile at her and her eyes immediately drop to my mouth, so I let my smile widen until she flicks her eyes back up to mine, obviously amused. She gets out of the pod and strides toward the palace, not waiting for me to catch up.
I stalk behind her, pleased when she does not panic at my approach.
“We have our date tomorrow,” I murmur in her ear. “Have some mercy on me and let me take you somewhere today instead.”
She eyes me over her shoulder, shivering slightly and opens her mouth but Varian opens the door, his newborn daughter in his arms. Longing sweeps through me as one of her tiny fists waves in the air and I reach out a finger, stroking it down her head.
“She is beautiful, Your Majesty,” I say formally, and Varian grins at me, pride evident. For once, he looks tired, although he appears completely besotted with the new addition to his family.
“Harlow is sleeping,” he says, glancing toward their bedroom. “So we will make this quick. Please take a seat.”
Peyton seems to be carefully ignoring the baby and I frown at her, confused. She ignores me as well, and I vow to ask her if she would like younglings one day.
The thought of Peyton curled in my bed, pregnant with my baby…
My stomach clenches, my hands shaking at the vision of this future, and I glance at her again. But Peyton is staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought.
Varian shifts, drawing our attention.
“We have received word that the Fecax Queen is on Earth. This means that we have pulled some of our ships from the search. One of them will be taking Roax and the Lahmu Queen to Huldra. Another will be used to travel to Cilphi.”
Peyton tenses and Varian levels his gaze on her. “I am keeping my end of our bargain. My forces will find the monster who tormented you and the other women, and they will also look for the father of Jessica’s baby.”
Peyton gets to her feet.
“I want to go.”
A low growl slips from Varian’s throat and she jolts but does not back down.
“Your Majesty, please. I would like to go.”
Varian turns to me and Peyton flushes with rage.
“He is not my father,” she hisses. “He does not decide whether or not I can get the revenge that is owed to me.”
“No,” Varian says, voice hard. “He is your mate. And you promised six months on Arcavia with him in exchange for this revenge.”
Her drenched eyes meet mine and I rub one hand against my chest, hoping to relieve the ache. My female prizes her revenge more than she does me. It is not unexpected after such a short time, but the knowledge is still painful.
“He can come too,” Peyton says suddenly. “We’ll both go.”
I immediately open my mouth to deny such foolishness. My mate in danger? Never. But Peyton steps forward, her small hands clutching my shirt.
“Vazta. Please. I need this. You know I do.”
I do know this. My female has not yet told me of the horrors she has lived at the hands of the one who bought her and the other human females as if they were animals. But the terror in her eyes when she speaks of that time is enough for me to know that it has left scars on her soul.
I will be with her. I will keep her safe. If my female needs revenge to move on, I will help her find it. And then she will want to stay with me.
“Very well,” I say, and her eyes light up.
Peyton
“What’s happening?” I ask as I step into the training center. Roars and cheers sound, and Eve glances at me from where she’s waiting, likely for Korva.
“Vazta said he’s going with you, which means we need to find a replacement. With Nathan leaving to find the Fecax Queen, we’ll be down two guards.”
Guilt shoots through me and it must show on my face because Eve grins at me.
“Don’t worry, we needed to do this anyway. We need a few backups in case something like this happens in the future, along with a couple to replace Nathan and Vazta while they’re gone.”
“He’ll get his job back when he returns, right?”
Eve studies me, her face serious.
“Of course. Don’t worry, Peyton, he wouldn’t be goi
ng if he wasn’t certain it was the right move. Personally, I was hoping for another female to join the team, but none have applied. This is just one of the first rounds— the recruits will take turns fighting all of the current guards. Except me of course, cause you know, I’m human. I’ll have something different in store when they go up against me.”
From the look on Eve’s face, whatever she’s planning will be interesting, to say the least. I hope I get to see it before we leave.
“Does that mean Vazta’s in there?”
Today is our day for a date. When he hadn’t shown up by lunchtime, I’d grown bored and decided to come down to the training center to see who was around for a chat.
Okay, okay, I decided to track him down.
Eve shoots me a knowing look. “He sure is.”
I hesitate and her face softens.
“You want me to go in with you? A massive group of Arcav guys can be intimidating for anyone.”
I flush and nod, staring over her shoulder.
Eve sighs and clears her throat until I meet her eyes.
“It’s not a sign of weakness, Peyton. Bad shit happened to you and you’re still moving on. Come on, let’s go find your guy.”
I don’t correct Eve. Vazta certainly seems to think he’s my guy.
We walk in, and the blood pounds in my ears at the noise. All of the machines and connecting rooms are empty and a huge crowd has gathered in one corner of the training center. My heart jumps into my throat as we approach and both of us are suddenly surrounded by huge Arcav, all of them yelling out encouragement for each of the fighters.
“Do you see him?” I lean close so Eve can hear me.
She links her arm with mine and shoots one of the Arcav a pissy look when he bumps into her. He grins at her, revealing fangs, but pushes his friend aside when he nearly hits us.
“I sure do,” Eve says, pointing.
He’s on the mat, fighting another Arcav. My hands sweat as I watch them circling each other, both already bruised and bloody.
“Who’s that?”
“Ocaz. He was away for the first competition. Basically, we all had to go through several rounds over one day in order to qualify for the first training camp. Looks like they might be doing it a little differently this time.” She nods toward an Arcav sitting up high where he can see the entire area. “That’s Azel. He’s the one who ultimately decides who will make it to the next round. He’s a tough son-of-a-bitch who didn’t like it when I tried out for my spot.”
I eye the Arcav who’s watching both males intently. Before returning my attention to Vazta and Ocaz.
Ocaz looks younger, and he’s blindingly fast, his movements a blur as he lunges toward Vazta. I gasp as Vazta steps aside, narrowly missing the other male’s fist.
Vazta throws a right hook, and everyone seems to draw in a breath at the sheer speed and power behind the punch. It misses Ocaz by millimeters, and Ocaz responds by lashing out with his claws, managing to rake them across Vazta’s throat.
Vazta nods at him as if acknowledging the point, even as blood drips down his neck and onto his chest. I swallow bile at the sight and Eve pats me on the shoulder.
“Relax. He’s just playing with him. Watch.”
Vazta winces slightly, rolling his neck as if his throat pains him and satisfaction shines in Ocaz’s eyes.
“Is he okay? How deep are those wounds?” I demand.
Eve smirks. “Not deep enough for this bullshit. You think Vazta would ever let his opponent see if he was truly hurt?”
Huh. I blink and then I’m clutching Eve’s arm as Ocaz lunges forward. Vazta steps out of the way and kicks out, but his foot is just a touch too slow and he stumbles slightly when Ocaz blocks his kick.
Ocaz manages to elbow him in the face and I slap my hand over my mouth to muffle my shriek as Vazta’s head whips to the side with the force of Ocaz’s hit.
I glance at Eve but she doesn’t look worried. She rolls her eyes as Ocaz smirks and Vazta blinks quickly as if clearing his head.
“I swear, Blake has taught all these guys his wounded bear routine. When I first got here, the Arcav didn’t know the meaning of a fake out.”
I blink, turning my attention back to the fight. Is Vazta really playing with him? He looks hurt, but Eve’s right, I can’t imagine him actually letting his opponent see him wounded in front of all these people. I narrow my eyes as he flicks his eyes toward me, the corner of his mouth curling up.
If he gets hurt because he’s distracted by me, I’ll kick his ass myself.
I frown at my reaction, unsure where that thought came from, but then Vazta’s the one moving, leaping forward with a speed that seems unbelievable. Ocaz moves out of the way, but Vazta has preempted him and he’s suddenly there, kneeing the other male in the gut before hitting him in the face with a jab.
Ocaz hisses and throws a left-hook, but Vazta dodges it smoothly, elbowing Ocaz in the back as he bends over, sucking in a breath.
It’s over quickly after that. Ocaz puts up a good fight, but it ends with Vazta choking him out on the mat, the other male finally tapping out.
Cheers sound for Vazta, although Ocaz’s friends step forward and slap him on the back as he gets to his feet.
My heart’s racing, I realize, and it speeds up as Vazta approaches, covered in sweat.
“My female,” he says, and I don’t have the heart to deny such a claim in front of all these eavesdroppers. “I did not expect to see you here.”
“I didn’t know it was happening,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.
Vazta smiles at me, and for a second he looks so young and boyish that my heart flips in my chest.
“I did not believe this would be a good place for you to visit,” he says, glancing at the many huge males around us, who now have their attention on the next match.
I blink and realize the only real panic I’ve experienced since I’ve been here was when I thought Vazta was hurt.
“Um,” I say, glancing around us. Eve has disappeared, and I spot her giving Korva a deep kiss before he steps into the ring.
Vazta takes my elbow and I allow it as he steers me through the crowd.
“You are a brave female to conquer your fear so well,” he says, and his proud tone does something to my insides, which seem to melt when I meet his eyes.
“Uh, thanks. You fought well,” I say, changing the subject. He slides me a look but allows it, pulling me closer as we walk toward the exit.
Halfway there, he seems to change his mind and pulls me toward the changing rooms.
“It is time for our date,” he says, “but I need to get clean. I do not want to leave you now that I have you so close. Will you wait for me?”
I nod. Sometimes, Vazta says the kind of things that hit me straight in the heart. There are no male or female changing rooms here. Each bathing area is large and spacious, and completely private. Vazta stops by a locker and removes a change of clothes and then hesitates near one of the bathing rooms.
“I find I do not want to leave you close to so many males,” he says, clenching his teeth as if it’s difficult for him to admit it.
I open my mouth to tell him I’ll be fine, and then a group of Arcav walk toward us, heading to their own bathing rooms. They give me a wide berth, but my heart still races as so many large bodies get too close as they walk by.
“What do you suggest? Maybe I should go back to my quarters and meet you there later.”
Vazta looks pained at the thought and I almost smile. It’s incredible for the ego when a guy values each moment with you so much.
He opens the door and gestures for me to enter. I freeze and he cocks his head.
“Trust me,” he says. I hesitate but nod, moving inside.
I’ve never used these bathing rooms, preferring to go back to my quarters and shower once I’ve worked out. But it shouldn’t surprise me that they’re large, modern, and spacious, just like everything else in Arcavia.
Vazta gestures toward a
chair by the door.
“If you will wait here, I will just be a moment.”
I eye the bathing chamber, which is just a few feet away. Vazta’s planning to strip in front of me?
I wait for the panic to hit, now that I’m locked in a room with a huge male who’s planning to get very, very naked.
Surprisingly, I feel safe.
I mull over this feeling and then realize Vazta’s waiting for my answer.
“Okay,” I say, and surprise flashes across Vazta’s face, followed by satisfaction.
He grins at me and then moves toward the bathing chamber, choosing the Arcav setting.
The Arcav have kindly updated all of the bathing chambers, allowing us to choose either a human shower or the Arcav steam clean, which takes just a few moments. I fight with disappointment. I was hoping he’d choose the human setting so I could watch the water slide over that huge body. I blink, stunned at my thoughts.
Don’t be a perve, Peyton.
I avert my eyes as he pulls off his clothes, but find myself flicking them back to him at his groan.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he says, but he winces as he begins removing his shirt. Each movement must tug on the cuts at his throat and I wince with him as one of them opens again, dripping blood down his chest.
“Don’t move,” I say. His pain does something to me. Something that makes me get to my feet and move toward him.
“You’re too tall,” I complain, and he immediately drops to his knees.
“Well, that works.”
He stills as I take his shirt in my hands.
“Okay,” I say, pulling it away from his throat. “You push your arms through and then I’ll pull it off your neck.”
He nods, silent, his eyes on my face. I keep my eyes down, focusing on keeping the neck of his shirt away from the deep claw marks that have ravaged his skin.
“They need to be cleaned,” I murmur, and he nods.
“The setting I chose includes antiseptic properties. Do not worry, little female.”
