Cornering Carmen

by S. E. Smith

  Ha’ven’s eyes flashed but he held his tongue. He knew he was out of line riding his younger brother’s ass but it worried him how close he had come to losing him lately. Between the assassins Raffvin had sent to kill his younger brothers and this battle, he was at his wits end. He was surprised his mother had not tied Adalard up and stuck him in the dungeons under the palace for safe keeping.

  “How is he?” Creon asked more quietly.

  “He will be fine. The healer has him sedated right now. He had a hole in his chest but it will take more than that to kill him. His mate is unbelievable!” Adalard said with a grin. “Bahadur has been trying to sweet talk her away from him but she won’t budge. Your uncle had changed his symbiot to pure negative energy,” he continued more soberly. “That was the weapon he had perfected. Somehow, his essence was enough to contaminate it. Ariel was given a stone by an unusual species on the moon where we met up with Bahadur. That is a story for another day. The stone absorbs negative energy. She was able to use that and her unusual way with the symbiots to hold his symbiot long enough to pull enough of the negative energy away so that part of Mandra’s symbiot was able to defeat it. What is left of his symbiot is very weak. Ariel has been spending time with it as it is very distressed.”

  “What of Raffvin?” Ha’ven asked looking at his younger brother intently, noting the new scar on his face. “Were you able to kill him?”

  Zebulon spoke up as he came into view. “No, he got away. He took a Curizan fighter. We are tracking him at the moment but the signal is very weak. He was wounded. Without his symbiot to heal him and help protect his dragon he will be greatly weakened. We believe he is going after Vox.”

  “Well, tell him to turn his ass around!” Vox said as he joined in on the holovid conference. “If he hadn’t been such a coward, I would have saved him a trip off the moon.”

  “What in the galactic balls is going on, Vox?” Adalard said as he jerked back from the screen. “Are you torturing one of your men again?”

  Vox sighed and rubbed his aching head. “No, my mate is mad at me again. She is singing something about bottles of drinks on a wall. She has been at it for two solid days now!” He growled out throwing a look over his shoulder. “Riley, how was I to know you liked that piece of cloth so much? I thought it was alive when I saw the fur on it! How was I to know it was fake?”

  “You could have asked before you shredded it, you furry moron! My sainted sister gave me that jacket for my birthday! Until you take me back to Earth I am going to make your life bloody hell!” She hollered back before she began singing off-key again.

  Zebulon and Adalard’s laughter echoed over the holovid. “I thought Ariel was bad! How did Vox get so lucky to find a female like that?”

  “Obviously you are not sitting where I am!” Vox growled out in a low voice.

  He winced when something flew through the air and struck him in the back of the head. “That’s it, I’m telling Lodar and Tor you are being mean again!”

  “Oh Gods! Now they will be mad at me, too,” Vox groaned out. “I need to go calm my mate before she starts another mutiny on board. I thought my crew was going to place me in a detention cell for killing her jacket. I thought the thing was attacking her! How was I supposed to know the fur was for decoration? Keep me posted on what is going on,” he muttered defensively before he logged out quickly.

  Creon shook his head in disbelief before turning back to the task at hand. “We need to regroup. Unless your tracking is successful, my guess is Raffvin will find a place to hide until he can recover. I think it would be best if we plan for that time,” Creon said tiredly. “Mandra needs to recover. I suggest he return to Valdier where he and his symbiot can heal faster. I also have a favor to ask of my brother’s talented mate. I have a young Pactor that is lame and needs care. An old human man and his grandson were found at the Antrox mines when we were searching for Vox. I would appreciate it if the animal was transferred to the D’stroyer where it can be taken back home and cared for. The boy has become very fond of it and would be heartbroken if it was disposed of,” Creon said before looking at Ha’ven. “I plan to take my mate to Earth before we return to Valdier. There is an issue there that I need to take care of personally and she has family she needs to say goodbye to one last time.”

  “What of the old man and the boy?” Ha’ven asked. “Do you plan to let them return to their world? From what I have heard, it might not be a good idea.”

  Creon nodded his head. “The old man swore he would not say a word and the boy is mute. No one would believe them anyway. It is important that I travel there,” he said with quiet determination.

  “I will continue tracking Raffvin. I can leave as soon as we have a fix on where he is heading,” Bahadur said.

  Ha’ven nodded. “Adalard, I want you to come aboard the Horizon. It would be better if you traveled with Creon,” he said.

  “No,” Adalard bit out. “I know what you are trying to do, Ha’ven. I am meeting up with Jazar. He thinks he has discovered where two additional bases are hidden. We need to strike before Raffvin’s forces discover we have their locations.”

  “When did you find out this?” Ha’ven demanded. “Why wasn’t I told immediately?”

  “Jazar has been very busy. Let us just say he took advantage of your desire to send him to the furthest spaceport in the star system,” Adalard said with a crooked smile.

  Ha’ven cursed under his breath. He had sent his two brothers on different missions in the hopes of keeping them safe. Instead, they were neck deep in the middle of the trouble Raffvin and Ben’qumain had started.

  “I need to return to my home,” Ha’ven said with an apology. “My brothers and I will continue to search for Raffvin. I will coordinate everything with your brothers and Vox and his brothers,” he said in apology.

  “It is much appreciated,” Creon murmured. “If this was not so important, I would wait but my mate needs this to finally heal and accept her life with me.”

  Ha’ven reached out and squeezed Creon’s shoulder. “You deserve this happiness, my friend. Never doubt that.”

  Creon smiled at the man who had become like a brother to him. “Thank you.”

  “If this is the part where you two start hugging and kissing I am out of here,” Bahadur said sarcastically.

  Creon flipped his middle finger up at the holovid. “I learned this gesture from my mate. It means ‘fuck you’, Bahadur,” Creon chuckled out.

  “Only in your dreams, Dragon Prince, only in your dreams,” Bahadur laughed back before bidding them farewell to go check on several of the warriors who had been injured during the battle.

  “I will join my brother and yours on the D’stroyer before heading home,” Ha’ven said, getting up. “Safe journey, Creon. Take good care of your warrior kitten.”

  Creon smiled as Ha’ven walked out the door. “Oh, I plan to, my friend, I plan to.”

  *.*.*

  Creon quietly entered his and Carmen’s living quarters late that night. Ha’ven, Adalard, Bahadur, Zebulon, and he had discussed plans for taking out the rest of the Curizan bases that Ha’ven and Adalard’s half-brother had created before Zoran killed him. They wanted to eliminate all of Raffvin’s defenses in an effort to corner him.

  He sighed tiredly. The healers had worked on Mandra for most of the afternoon until late into the evening. They assured him he would heal. It would take a little longer due to his symbiot not being able to help him. The golden creature had split in half so a part of it could remain with his mate. Creon learned that Ariel had escaped from the detention cell his brother had confined her to with the help of the symbiot. He was thankful she had escaped otherwise he would more than likely be mourning the loss of both of them. Raffvin’s symbiot was a formidable enemy. It had the power of the royal blood behind it. With Mandra’s symbiot being cut in half, it was stronger than most but would have been no defense against his uncle’s more powerful one. He would have to remember to question Ariel more on the st
one she was given. It might be necessary to see if they could find more or at least discover what properties it had that allowed it to absorb the negative energy. He was sure his brother Trelon and his mate, Cara, would be fascinated by it.

  A smile curved his lips as he thought of the extraordinary women that his brother Zoran had discovered. Each one was strong and powerful in their own way. Abby’s gentle strength, protectiveness, and caring made her the perfect queen for their people. Cara’s energy matched her inquisitive nature. The things she had invented were helping to improve their warships already. Trisha’s ability with what she called ‘guerilla’ warfare was unbelievable. He had talked to Palto and Jaguin about her. All four of his best trackers were amazed at her abilities. He had also talked to Kelan about what happened on the moon orbiting Quitax. Her ability to survive on such a hostile moon while being hunted was worthy of any warrior. The fact that she was pregnant when this happened was nothing short of incredible. Now, listening to what his mate’s sister, Ariel, did in the middle of battle left him in awe. These women may be smaller, more delicate, more fragile than many of the females inhabiting the ten known star systems that he had traveled to but they held a quiet strength and dignity that made them fiercer than any warrior. They had a passion for life and an abundance of compassion and loyalty that would make any mate proud to call them theirs.

  His thoughts turned to him and Carmen’s time in the storage bay. She had fought to protect those weaker and it had cost her dearly. He had decided then and there they would travel to Earth. When she had broken down and cried, as if each tear was pulled from the very essence of her being, it had torn at his heart. The pain and grief trapped for so long in her slender body shook him to his core. He had seen many, many things but what she had witnessed broke through even his staunch belief in what a warrior could survive. To watch helplessly while his mate’s life was taken in front of him would have driven him mad with grief and pain. The images sent from his symbiot of her memories burned into his soul with a raging need for revenge on the man who had taken so much from her.

  He walked quietly to the counter where an assortment of refreshments were and poured a drink. He let his gaze roam the spacious interior of their living quarters before walking over to the viewport. It wasn’t anywhere near as large as his living quarters back on Valdier but it was larger than the other living quarters on board the Horizon. He knew there was an excellent possibility that Carmen would give birth before their return to Valdier. From what he learned from his mother, human females carried their young for nine months while a Valdier female carried for five. He knew Zoran’s mate, Abby, was due any time and Trelon’s mate would not be long after that.

  He stood staring out at the richness of space. He had spent a great deal of his adult life in space but now he found he wanted more. He wanted a place where he could watch his younglings grow and run and play. He wanted a place where he and Carmen could fly in their dragon forms whenever they wanted or lay in a meadow of purple grass and listen to the sounds of the river and creatures of the forest around them. He wanted a home.

  Slender arms wrapped around his waist from behind and he could feel her cheek as she laid it against his back. He lifted one of his arms to hold her close. They stood like that for several long minutes before he pulled her around so he could wrap his arm around her, laying his palm over her stomach as he drew her back against his chest.

  “What are you thinking about?” She asked him quietly, staring at his reflection in the glass.

  Creon raised his drink and took a sip before he answered. “I was thinking that our younglings will more than likely be born in space or perhaps even on your world,” he said softly.

  Carmen jerked in surprise. “You mean…. as in on Earth?” She whispered in surprise.

  He set his drink down on the small round table near the viewport and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer as he rested his head on hers. “Would you be upset?” He asked. “It was what you wanted, isn’t it? To return to your world at least one more time.”

  Carmen turned so she was facing him. “Why?” She asked suspiciously. “Why would you take me now when you were so adamant before?”

  “I am going to kill the man who hurt you and your first mate,” he said with quiet conviction. “I have seen what he did. How you survived such loss I will never know and if it is within my power, you will never have to face again. But know this, I will be the one to kill him. It is my right as your mate to seek justice.”

  Carmen shook her head. “What if something happens to you?” She asked with a catch in her voice. “I couldn’t go through that again, Creon. To lose you…,” her voice faded as fear for him overrode her desire for revenge. “Killing him will never bring Scott or our baby back,” she said looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “But loving you and having you in my life gives me something I never expected to have again. I can’t take a chance of losing you.”

  Creon chuckled. “Carmen, I am not human. I am not easy to kill. He has hurt more than just you. He will be brought to justice for hurting you, your first mate, and your unborn child. But, I will also stop him from hurting others. Plus, I want you to have a chance to say goodbye. You deserve that closure before you can rise up completely out of the ashes to be reborn again, my beautiful phoenix.”

  Carmen didn’t say anything. Instead, she leaned into Creon’s warm body and hugged him tightly to her. She snuggled closer wishing she could always remain this close to him. A slight fluttering in her stomach caused her to jerk back in shock. Her hands flew to her stomach as the fluttering continued.

  “What is it?” Creon asked in concern.

  “The babies,” she whispered in awe, looking down at her hands pressed tightly against her stomach. “They are moving.”

  Creon’s face broke into an eager grin as he pressed his hand over hers. Carmen moved her hand so she could press his against her slightly rounded abdomen. A moment later, his face lit with a huge grin as he felt the slight movement under his palm.

  “They will be strong warriors like their father!” He exclaimed with pride.

  You better tell mate they be strong warriors like their mommy. They only have one head on them, her dragon muttered tiredly. They kick like you too.

  Carmen’s eyes grew wide. She bit her lower lip trying to hide the giggle that was threatening to escape. Her eyes glowed with mischief as she looked up into Creon’s face.

  “Well, according to my dragon,” she giggled. “You better start thinking in shades of pink instead of blue. She says they are going to be just like me. How do you feel about having a couple of rough and tumble little girls?”

  The smile on Creon’s face faded along with all the color in it. He swayed dizzily as the fact that she was having little girls sunk in. He groaned and pulled her closer to him.

  “I never… it has been so long since a female….,” he was having trouble breathing as the thought of what having two beautiful daughters would mean. “Dragon’s balls!” He roared out suddenly. “I’ll kill any warrior who so much as looks at them,” he growled out. “I will have to get Cree and Calo… no, they are too young, I’ll have to find some older warriors who are mated… I’ll build us a home surrounded by the highest walls…. Maybe I can…”

  “Creon…” Carmen said gently. “Creon...”

  “What?” he asked, looking down at her with a wild, dazed look.

  “They aren’t even born yet. I think we have time before the warriors start coming to ask them out on a date,” she said as she smiled patiently up at him. “Years even.”

  “Years?” He asked blankly.

  “Years,” she replied brushing a kiss over his lips. “Make love to me,” she whispered.

  “Years?” He asked again doubtfully.

  Carmen giggled and grabbed his hand to pull him toward their sleeping quarters. “Years,” she assured him as she dragged him toward the bed.

  Chapter 21It had been four weeks since they left the D’stroyer
and Vox’s warship, the Shifter. She was beginning to show more and more each day. She had to cut back on some of her workouts. She spent more time stretching and just walking the warship than she did kicking Cree and Calo’s ass now. They were told to stay near her at all times as she began to ‘blossom’, as Creon called it. He was constantly trying to get her to lay down and rest. Cree and Calo had been just as bad. She knew the two warriors had to be sick of being her babysitter because she was thoroughly sick of having them as the twin-shadows.

  “I think you should take it easy today,” Creon said as he finished getting ready so he could report for duty. “Your ankles were swelling a little.”

  “They are supposed to swell some! I’m pregnant. I am sick of being in here. I want to go visit with Cal and Meli… Mel,” she corrected quickly. “They are both excited about returning to Earth soon. I think they are both as sick of being cooped up in the repair bay as I am of being in here.”

  “There is no reason for them to remain there all the time,” he said, looking at her with a frown. “We will be near Earth by the end of the week.”

  “I think they are just more comfortable being by themselves,” she said, rubbing her stomach absently when the twins decided to kick at the same time.

  “I wish we had been able to see Kelan and Trisha before they left,” he said as he came to lay a calming hand over hers. “It sounds like they were having problems getting some of the warriors back off the planet. Several warriors found their true mates, though, they appear to be having some minor difficulties with them.”

  Carmen raised her eyebrow. “Let me guess,” she said drily. “The guys forgot to ask before they decided to claim.”

  Creon shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. “We don’t always have much choice. When our dragon and our symbiot finds our mate, it is a little overwhelming. We get around to asking later,” he added defensively.