Draekon Desire: A Sci-Fi Dragon Shifter Menage Romance Boxed Set: Exiled to the Prison Planet: The Complete Collection

by Lili Zander

I exhale shakily. “The Firstborn of the High Empire. The Homeworld will burn if people find out.”

  Cax smiles tightly. “If this is true, we have something we desperately need. Last night, I was looking for an edge. I think we’ve found it. We have leverage.”

  He’s right. This changes everything.

  Bryce bites her lower lip. “Arax, Vulrux, and Zunix are on their way here,” she says. “Are you going to tell them?”

  “I don’t know,” I reply heavily. “Should I? They’ve lost six decades of their lives. Is there any point telling them that their suffering was deliberately caused?”

  “It wasn’t all suffering,” Bryce says. “I’ve lived with them, remember? They didn’t seem miserable. Besides, they have mates now. Vulrux has a kid, Kaida. Arax’s mate Viola is pregnant. And Olivia is perfect for Zunix.”

  “Is it enough?”

  Just then, Cax’s comm beeps. He reads the message on the screen. “We’re about to find out,” he says. “The exiles are here.”

  Bryce’s face falls. “I forgot I’ve got to leave this morning,” she says. “I’m all packed.”

  I don’t want her to leave either. I pull her into my arms. “It’s just for a bit,” I tell her, kissing her upturned lips. “Soon, this will all be over.”

  I really hope I’m not lying.

  The next few hours are filled with frantic activity. Getting the exiles settled into their new homes. Ensuring that the pregnant women—especially Felicity Rollins—receive medical attention. The healers whisking Kaida, the human-Draekon hybrid youngling, away for tests to make sure her development is on track.

  Arax, Firstborn of Zoraht, is in the thick of the activity, and maybe I’m taking the coward’s way out, but I can’t bring myself to tell him.

  “We need Dariux here,” I tell Cax during a lull. “Zunix is smart, but Dariux is the most cunning person I’ve ever met. If we’re going to negotiate with the High Empire, he should be at the table.”

  Cax nods soberly. “I’ll put Babbuq in charge of finding him.”

  That’s not the only thing I need to do. “You’re talking to Ru’vi today?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “I need to warn my mother first. The moment the Spymaster finds out that I’ve changed sides, she’ll move against her.”

  “Your mother is one of the White Robes, isn’t she?” A small smile creases his face. “Tell her we’re always recruiting. We’d love to have her here.”

  I shake my head. Even now, even in the middle of everything, Cax is thinking about the future. “Always the administrator, aren’t you?”

  A strange, indecipherable look flashes over his face. “Indeed.” He shakes his head, and his expression is neutral again. “Let’s get you to an off-world comm.”

  “So I’m a Draekon.” I stare at the familiar face on the screen. Dressed in her standard white robes, my mother Joya’vi looks like she always does, but for the first time, I notice that her hair is more gray than brown. Though her eyes are bright and alert, the lines in her face are deeper than ever.

  “You didn’t take the kesvet cookies,” she deduces immediately. “And the humans are a compatible species for the mating bond.”

  Nothing wrong with her mind. “Pretty much.” There’s so much to tell her. I want to talk about Bryce. About my changed convictions. I have so many questions for her as well. She knew I was most likely Draekon, and she didn’t turn me in. Does that mean she doesn’t think of me as a mindless beast?

  But right now, the urgency of the Zorahn threat eclipses all of that.

  “Ru’vi has a spy on the prison planet. She probably knows I’m Draekon. She will come for you.”

  She’s not prone to falling to pieces. Even after my father had been taken away, she’d held it together. If she’d grieved, it had been privately. She nods crisply. “That is to be expected. I’ve been giving you illegal blockers all your life. I have a plan.”

  My temples start to throb at the steely look on her face. “You’re not going to do something foolish, are you?”

  “As foolish as contacting the rebellion, you mean, with a working prototype of a drug that will activate the Draekon genome?” She gives me a grim smile. “Don’t worry about me, my son. I’ve been expecting this moment for a very long time.” Her face softens. “I’m sorry I hid the truth from you. I thought you’d react poorly.”

  I’d been a good, loyal soldier to the Empire. “You thought I would turn you in and surrender myself to exile.”

  “The latter, yes. The former, never.”

  I’m touched at her faith in me. At Bryce’s faith in me. “Ru’vi is going to be furious.”

  “If that bitch is angry, you’re undoubtedly doing something right. I’m doubly proud of you.”

  I have to laugh at that. Even in times of danger, it’s really hard to intimidate my mother. “Hide well,” I tell her, my smile fading. “Stay alive. I really want you to meet Bryce.”

  “Me too.”

  “Oh, one more thing.” I’ve saved the best news for the end. “Father is still alive. He’s here, on the prison planet.”

  “He is?” Her voice is a whisper.

  My lips curl into a smile. I sense a family reunion in the future, and I can’t think of two people who deserve it more.

  When I’m done, I make my way back to the tower where the exiles are being housed.

  Vulrux is standing near the door with his youngling, Kaida, in his arms. She’s red-faced and chubby, her wispy blonde hair similar in color to her mother’s. She tugs at Vulrux’s beard, giggling in delight, and he looks down at her with so much love in his eyes that my breath catches.

  This is one of the families I would have separated.

  My path had been clear when I talked to Raiht’vi two days ago. It’s even more clear now. My own family was ripped apart when I was a child. I cannot do that to someone else.

  I look around the crowded room, searching for Bryce. Her golden hair is a beacon of sunshine, drawing my gaze to her. She’s talking to another human woman, laughing at something.

  Memories flood my mind. Touching her last night. Tasting her sweetness. Hearing her breathy moans.

  When I came to the prison planet, I wasn’t sure what I was going to find. I hadn’t expected to meet her. Bryce MacFarland. My mate.

  Nothing about this journey has been predictable. Nothing has been easy.

  But finding my mate has made it all worthwhile.

  I wait until she finishes her conversation, and then go up to her. “Can I talk to you alone?”

  Bryce was the first person to challenge my beliefs. She forced me to open my eyes. I want her to be there with me when I renounce my ties with the High Empire.

  It’s time to tender my resignation to the Zoraken High Command.

  Cax leads us to a communication room. Bryce squeezes my arm. “I’ll stay out of sight.” She gives me a warm smile and kisses my cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  She grins. “I nag like a champion.”

  Cax and Bryce take their seats in a hidden corner. I open a comm line and hail the Navy’s High Command. Entirely predictably, it isn’t Admiral Nosrux who answers my coded signal. It’s Spymaster Ru’vi.

  “Commander Hurux.” Her face fills the screen. There are those in the High Empire who consider the Spymaster a beautiful woman. Not me. I’ve seen the coldness in her eyes, and I know the cruelty in her soul. “It’s been days. Why the delay in checking in? Have you managed to round up the human women? Have you found Raiht’vi?”

  “No.”

  Her expression darkens. “No? Nosrux assured me that you were the right person for this job. The humans are from a technologically inferior planet, and yet you’ve been unable to capture them?”

  I square my shoulders. “You misunderstand me, Spymaster. I have spoken to the humans. They wish to remain on the prison planet. Humans are a sentient race, and as such, I intend to respect t
heir beliefs.”

  Ru’vi goes very still. “I see. And Raiht’vi?”

  “There’s no sign of her,” I lie.

  Her eyes narrow. “Interesting.” A chill runs down my spine. Ru’vi’s voice is calm. Too calm. “Let me be very clear. I consider your refusal to capture the human women treason.” She leans forward. “Think carefully, Commander Hurux, about where your allegiances truly lie. I will do more than strip you of your rank. I will see that your mother is jailed. Or worse.” She pauses for effect. “I want results. You have twenty-four hours to get them.”

  That’s Cax’s cue. He gets to his feet abruptly and moves into the frame. “If we’re making threats,” he says coolly. “Let me make a few of my own. I’m Commander Cax. You attacked my city. Leave the humans alone. Leave Raiht’vi alone. Or else, there will be consequences that you aren’t prepared to face.”

  Ru’vi’s eyebrow rises. “So, Hurux is in Ashara,” she says. “Very well, this simplifies matters. Commander Cax, I don’t respond to empty threats. I’ve been informed that the High Emperor’s betrothed is being held prisoner in your city. Release her to us.”

  “It’s not an empty threat.” Cax gazes directly at the screen. “Four names. Arax. Vulrux. Dariux. Zunix. You know what they all have in common?”

  Ru’vi’s face goes pale.

  “I don’t need to spell out what would happen to the High Empire if this news were to come out, do I?” Cax is relentless. “High Emperor Lenox will not protect you from the wrath of every citizen in the Homeworld. No, he’ll sacrifice you to save his own life.”

  “What do you want?” she whispers through dry lips.

  “Arrive on Trion VI to negotiate a cease-fire,” Cax replies. “I’ll send a ship to pick you up and guide you through the asteroid layer. You can bring two aides. No more.”

  He shuts the comm off and turns to us. “She’ll arrive tomorrow,” he says. “We have one day to prepare for her.”

  24

  Bryce

  I know it’s ridiculous, but I feel guilty. Hurux just got fired—which was predictable—but then his mother was threatened—which was not.

  And yeah, it’s not my fault, really, but both things happened because of me. If I hadn’t intersected their lives, none of this would have happened.

  You know you’re being crazy, right? Because the alternative for you would have been to be forced back to Earth. And things would have been much worse for Raiht’vi.

  The initial euphoria from seeing the others has worn off. As I make my way back to the tower where they’re staying, I can’t even bring myself to gawk at the wonders of Ashara. I’m just too worried about everything.

  Cax is silent as he walks me to my quarters. “Are you okay?” I ask him.

  “Yes,” he replies. “I’m just thinking of Silu.” He smiles down at me. “She’d have liked seeing everyone here.”

  Poor Cax. So much is happening so fast that I’m losing track of time. Silu died two days ago. Her funeral was yesterday. I can’t even imagine how he feels. After Liam died, I’d been in a haze for months, but Cax doesn’t have that luxury. He’s in charge here. He has to pull himself together and function.

  When I first met him, I thought all that cool competence of his was annoying. Now, all I’ve got is admiration. It would be so easy to sit in a corner and fall to pieces. It would even be justified. But that’s not Cax.

  Nor is it Hurux. He didn’t waver when the Zorahn Spymaster had threatened his mother. He’d been prepared for it. He’d been steadfast in his convictions.

  Got to say, I’m really glad these two are on my side.

  “Silu liked people?”

  He chuckles. “Not particularly. But she believed passionately in doing the right thing. Ashara’s non-intervention policy chafed at her.”

  “It chafed at you too, didn’t it? You’re certainly intervening right now.”

  “Much to the dismay of the Senate,” he says ruefully. “When all this is over, Hurux won’t be the only one out of a job.”

  “They’ll fire you?” I stare at him, aghast. “For helping us?”

  “I’ll resign.” He laces his fingers in mine. “Don’t look so sad, aida. The universe is a large place. The future is filled with options.”

  But you love what you do, I want to say.

  I stay silent. It’s futile worrying about Cax’s job. We still have to survive the immediate future.

  Cax’s comm beeps with another emergency. He takes a look at it and sighs. “Bryce, will you excuse me? I have a situation to deal with.” He bends down and brushes a kiss over my cheek.

  A very chaste kiss, since we’re in public, and we’re pretending the mating bond didn’t happen.

  “Go,” I wave him away. I’m feeling glum and gloomy, and if Cax hangs around, he’s only going to worry.

  Fluffy McCutie was weaving in and out of people earlier, but she’s nowhere to be seen. But Olivia’s nearby, and even better, she’s carrying Kaida in her arms.

  Baby cuddles are exactly what I need.

  Olivia hands Kaida over readily. “This little monkey’s a little cranky today,” she says with a grin. “Have at it.” She takes a closer look at my face. “Are you okay? You look bummed out.” She looks around to make sure that no one is within earshot. “It’s close to when your brother died, right? I’m sorry, Bryce. Is there anything I can do?”

  Kaida grabs a strand of my hair and tugs. Ouch. She’s only a few weeks old, but she’s growing fast. Much faster than a human baby. She’s already as big as a three-month-old would be. “How did you know about Liam?”

  “CIA, remember? I’ve read your file.”

  “Ah.” I give Olivia a sidelong look. I desperately need to pour out everything that’s going through my mind right now, and surprisingly, Olivia’s the perfect audience. She won’t coddle me, and she is more than capable of keeping a secret. “Can I tell you something in confidence?”

  “Do I have to keep it from Lio and Zun?”

  I consider her question. Zunix is going to find out about the Draekon activation soon enough. “Not really.”

  “In that case, hit me.”

  Kaida is going to succeed in her efforts to rip out entire chunks of my hair. I pry her chubby fingers free, and she opens her mouth to wail in protest. Olivia looks around frantically, and finding nothing, loosens the brightly colored tie from her hair. “Here you go, kid. Chew on this for a while.”

  The distraction attempt works; Kaida is appropriately mollified. I watch her wave around the pink and orange tie, my mind far away. “Raiht’vi is in Ashara,” I tell Olivia. “And I talked Cax and Hurux into not sending her back. I thought it was the right thing to do, but…” My voice trails away. “I didn’t realize how badly the High Empire wanted her. What if I’ve endangered everyone because of my actions?”

  Olivia shakes her head immediately. “This situation isn’t of your making,” she says. “Listen, we should all be thanking you. Felicity was cramping badly. She was bleeding. We were all terrified she was going to die, or lose the baby, and there was nothing we could do. Vulrux was doing the best he could, but herbs and potions can’t compete with modern medicine. If help hadn’t shown up when it did…”

  I haven’t seen Felicity around, nor her mates. “Is she okay?”

  “Yes. The soldiers who came for us stabilized her, and as soon as we got here, the healers got to work. She’s fine, and so is the baby.”

  Relief floods through me. “Thank heavens.”

  “You did that, Bryce. You’re the catalyst that made it happen. Without you, we wouldn’t be here. Felicity might not be alive.” She gives me another sidelong look. “Cax and Hurux… The way they look at you, there’s something there.”

  I lower my voice. “We’re keeping it secret, but they’re my mates.”

  “Is that a good thing?” she asks. “Are you happy about it?”

  “Yes,” I reply at once. “But it’s still complicated.” I take a deep breath. “Cax’s
friend got murdered. Cax could lose his job. Hurux’s mother just got threatened. I can’t help thinking that if I hadn’t met them, none of this would have happened.”

  “Wait, what?” Olivia looks confused. “What are you talking about?” Then she shakes her head. “Never mind, I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. But Bryce, you know that makes no sense, right? I mean, Cax runs this city. Hurux is a commander in the army. I only met them for a few hours this morning, but neither of them seemed weak-minded. You didn’t make them do anything they didn’t want to.”

  She puts her hand on my arm. “You didn’t cause your brother’s death, Bryce. It wasn’t your fault, and neither is this.”

  Tears prickle at my eyes. “He wanted money for drugs, and I turned him away. Everyone told me that it was the right thing to do, but it wasn’t. Maybe if I hadn’t driven him away, he’d still be alive.”

  “Or maybe he’d be dead anyway,” she says bluntly. “Addiction is brutal, Bryce, and it’s just as hard on the survivors. Don’t spend your life wondering what might have happened.”

  Intellectually, I know she’s right. But there’s fear in my heart. I did the right thing once, and all it caused was loss. Is history doomed to repeat itself?

  25

  Cax

  The message is from Korum.

  There’s a spaceship approaching the asteroid belt, broadcasting a Rebellion identifier. What do you want me to do?

  Tarish. It’s about fucking time.

  I make my way over to the Control Center, suppressing a pang as I enter the room. This place is forever going to be tainted to me. I’m always going to see Silu on the floor, bleeding out. I’m always going to relive that moment of heart-shredding agony.

  Bryce left Earth so she wasn’t confronted by loss at every turn. More than ever, I can relate.

  She’s kept me whole. The only reason I’m functioning right now is because of my mate. If it were just about saving Ashara, I’d have turned the duty over to the Senate and retreated to mourn.