by Hope Hart
My mouth drops open.
He grins again, dropping a kiss on my open mouth even as I begin to snarl.
“What are you doing?”
“I find that I enjoy having you helpless against me. Raise your arms for me, Evie.”
I freeze at the nickname, but when Korva says it, it doesn’t bring back memories of betrayal, and Liam’s face doesn’t flash before my eyes. When Korva says it, it feels right.
I sigh and raise my arms, giving in. Korva knows how to blow my mind in bed, and it’s unlikely that giving up a tiny bit of power this one time will make it any different.
Korva gives me a pleased growl as I hold onto the edge of the bedframe, hands above me. He reaches up and removes the band from my hair, watching it tumble over my shoulders before pushing it off my face.
“You’re so beautiful.”
I move my hands, desperate to touch him, and he shoots me a warning look.
Fine.
He pushes a finger inside me, adding another one as he kisses his way back down my body. He stops to nibble at my clit and I groan.
“Please…”
Korva gets the hint and positions himself above me, before slowly sinking inside, inch by inch.
“Korva.”
“Shh Eve. Slow.”
I growl, but he simply reaches one hand up, ensuring that my hands stay exactly where he put them, even as he begins to slowly thrust.
I lift my hips, desperate for more, but he’s being careful to not hit my clit. His cock drives deep, and I let out a whine, even as his thrusts begin to change, increasing in speed and intensity.
Finally, when I’m writhing against him, going out of my mind, he lifts my butt, changing the angle as he strokes one finger along my clit.
I see stars as I come, gritting my teeth as my orgasm spreads through my body. I twist against him, gasping in pleasure as Korva lets out a long growl and shudders against me.
Korva brushes kisses over my face and I reach up drowsily, brushing a hand over his chipped horn.
“You never told me what happened here.”
He smiles gently down at me and nuzzles into my neck.
“I fought hard when Varian decided to lock me away.”
“I’m sorry.”
Korva brushes a kiss over my mouth.
“I have hated my brother for two centuries. But if he had not locked me away, I would never have met you. I believe I may one day be able to forgive him as long as I have you by my side.”
I grin up at him. “You’re stuck with me now. I love you, Korva.”
A fierce, possessive, savage joy fills me— a feeling I’ve never felt before. I frown, drowsy and confused, and Korva reaches for my hand and links our fingers, holding my wrist up in front of my face.
The silver mating bands are beautiful.
Epilogue
Eve
Two Weeks Later
I never knew I could be this happy.
Something that I was so terrified of— the mating bond— has given me more comfort, security, and love than I could ever have imagined.
I never have any doubt about Korva’s feelings for me. I bask in the knowledge that he could never betray me. Would never want to betray me. Thanks to the mating bond, which I sure as hell never wanted, I know for sure that Korva would rather cut off his favorite appendage than make me feel unwanted or worthless.
“Are you going to get your head back in the game? Or do you just plan to moon over your mate for the rest of your life?”
Ouch.
“Bring it.”
Blake grins at me, blood in his teeth. Blood I put there with a well-placed left hook. His eyes are lit in pleasure, face feral, and I know damn well I look exactly the same.
He circles, limping slightly, and I barely restrain myself from rolling my eyes.
The wounded bear routine.
Again.
From the mating bands, I can feel amusement, pride, and a constant joy that’s with me from the moment I wake up and meet Korva’s stalky eyes in the morning, until the moment I relax into sleep, wrapped in his arms.
I don’t need to turn my head to see him across the training center. The mating bond communicates his amusement, anticipation, and of course, the protective instinct that makes Korva who he is.
If he could, he’d probably lift me into his arms and head for the hills, removing me from the guy who’d like to break both of my arms.
Of course, then I’d have to punch him in the mouth.
Blake lunges at me, suddenly ditching the hurt act.
I pivot, expecting it, and he drops his guard, ready for me to—
“Damn it!”
He smoothly ducks out of the way, grin widening as he moves faster than a man his size should be able to.
I feel a spike of fear down the mating bond— and we’re going to have to talk about that— and dart out of the way as Blake kicks out, aiming for my gut. That would’ve taken me down for sure.
“Thanks baby,” I call, and Blake glowers at me.
“Not sure how I feel about your new superpower.”
“You’re just jealous.”
“Stop playing with him,” Korva’s voice is a low growl and I grin.
“Okay.”
Blake’s fist sails past my face, but I’m no longer there. I’ve been practicing this move with my mate, and now’s my chance.
One step. Two steps.
Blake’s slightly unbalanced. I’ve told him to stop overextending. Now he’s off-balance and I’m no longer there.
I hit the back of his knee, buckling it, and he curses as he stumbles. Then I do the unexpected and within a second I’m jumping on his back, wrapping my legs around his waist as I drive my elbow over his shoulder and into his face.
His nose explodes with blood and I laugh as he erupts in curses. My arm wraps around his windpipe as he stumbles again, likely a little disorientated by the sudden pain.
And the fact that he never expected me to climb on his back like a spider monkey.
“Timber,” I hear someone call, and then I’m holding on with everything I have as Blake falls to his knees.
I punch him in the face.
“Say it.”
He laughs. “Fuck you, Small.”
I punch him again and he reaches back and manages to hit me back, pain exploding across my cheek.
That poor cheekbone.
Korva’s no longer amused.
Uh-oh. I better wrap this up. Blake will expect a lot of things, but he won’t expect me to fight like a girl.
He bucks, fist lashing out, and almost manages to knock me off him. I slash my nails down his face and he howls. He smashes his head back and I see stars as he breaks my nose.
Damnit.
I can feel Korva stalking closer, even though we specifically discussed how he would not distract me.
Poor guy can’t help himself.
I reach around, grab hold of Blake’s broken nose, and then I squeeze.
He roars, almost getting to his feet, but I’ve had him in a headlock for the past few minutes and he’s running out of air.
“Say it.”
He growls and I grin. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that growl was coming from an Arcav.
“Uncle,” he says finally, and I jump off him.
We stare at each other, both covered in blood, noses swelling.
“Brin’s going to kill us,” Blake says, panting.
A large arm wraps around my waist, and I can feel Korva shaking with the effort of holding onto control beside me.
Blake scowls at me. “You practice that with your caveman?”
“Sure did.”
My caveman is likely to knock Blake out if I don’t distract him.
I turn to Korva and grin up at him, even as his worried eyes track over my body, likely noting every injury.
“I’ve decided what I want,” I tell him.
“What you want?”
“After you kidnapped me from t
he ship— making me look like a weakling in front of Vazta, I might add— you said you’d make it up to me. I know what I want.”
Korva’s anxious gaze turns wary and my grin widens.
“What do you want?”
I lower my voice as Blake stalks over to where Nathan is collecting his winnings. Smart man to bet on me.
“I want to go back to the cabin for a week. And I want to do nothing except make love and relax. Oh, and I want to meet your parents.”
Korva winces. “My parents?”
“It’s happening,” I declare, and Korva sighs.
“As you wish.”
Blake moves toward us, frowning. “What’s Harlow doing here?”
She’s hightailing it across the training center, scowling as people literally jump out of her way, Vazta and Rob trailing her. I raise an eyebrow. Varian’s been keeping Harlow close since she’s only a few weeks from her due date. We’ve already had a couple of dinners with just the four of us, and there were fewer awkward moments between the royal brothers than I’d expected.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the palace?” My eyes narrow as I take in her flushed face and bright eyes. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby?”
She shakes her head, trembling. “It’s Meghan. She’s about to land.”
“Let’s go.”
Korva drives us to the dock, where Jen’s waiting, staring at the huge ship, face pale.
“I keep thinking this is a dream,” she says when she sees us. Arax is holding her close, and Harlow reaches for her hand, tears shining in her eyes.
“It’s not a dream,” she says, smiling. “Your baby’s home.”
“Mom!”
Meghan sprints off the ship and into Jen’s arms, and they both fall to their knees, laughing and crying and clutching at each other like they’ll never let go. I wipe my face and my hand comes away wet.
Harlow’s sobbing beside me.
“Hormones,” she says, stroking her bump as Varian appears, pulling her into his arms.
“I missed you so much,” Meghan sobs, still clutching her mom.
“I missed you more,” Jen’s shaking, tears rolling down her face. “Never again, Meghan.”
“Never again. I promise.”
A few feet away, Methi watches on, a grin on his face. Before he left, I hadn’t seen that grin in months.
Harlow wiggles out of Varian’s arms and reaches out for Methi, who allows her to hug him, although he eyes Varian warily the whole time.
I grin as Meghan and Jen finally let go of each other and Harlow turns to Meghan, who promptly bursts into tears again.
“You’re in so much trouble,” Harlow says, even as she pulls her into her arms.
“I’m sorry I worried you guys so much,” Meghan reaches for me and something inside me, something that’s been tense and hurting for six months finally relaxes.
I pull her into my arms.
“You owe me a new blaster.”
She laughs. “You know, you helped me get through some of the worst moments. Occasionally, I’d think to myself ‘What Would Eve Do?’”
Korva moves closer. “Did those answers include violence of some kind?”
Meghan grins. “Usually.”
We watch as Roax walks off the ship, joined by two seriously good-looking aliens. Harlow’s mouth drops open.
“Are those wings?”
Meghan grimaces. “They sure are. The Lahmu Princess requests a few minutes of Varian’s time.”
Varian’s expression darkens. “Lahmu?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Harlow pats him on the chest, shooting me a look.
Korva wraps me in his arms and I grin. These are my people. This is my tribe. After years of feeling alone and never quite letting down my guard, I’ve gotten something I’ve always wanted but never quite had. A family.
The End
I hope you enjoyed the Arcav Prince’s Captive! If you’d like to be kept in the loop about new releases, freebies, cover reveals, and more, sign up for my free newsletter here.
The human women are about to celebrate the holidays on Arcavia. That means babies, a surprise wedding, and even a visit from Santa. Click here to read A Very Arcav Christmas.
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for following along with this series. I’ve had so much fun writing these books, and your support keeps me writing even when I’m battling the dreaded writer’s block.
A few notes about this series:
Yes, there will be more books in this series.
Don’t forget to check out A Very Arcav Christmas (isn’t the cover beautiful?)
The next full-length book in this series is Saria and Roax’s story. Click here to find The Arcav Captain’s Queen.
This will be followed by Peyton and Vazta’s story: The Arcav Guard’s Female.
Some readers have been wondering about the Fecax Queen, Blake, Nathan, and Bree. They will all have their own stories (as will Jessica— she needs her baby daddy after all!) This will be a new series set in the same world with all our favorite characters.
The release date for the first book is still to be determined (likely March.) These books will involve a number of different human/alien pairings, and I’m so excited for you to read them!
To stay up to date with new releases you can follow me on Amazon and/or sign up for my newsletter.
Finally, if you’re enjoying my books, I would love if you’d take a moment to write a review for any one of them. Don’t have the time? If you click ‘helpful’ on a review you agree with, that will help it move closer to the top of the page which allows people to see it when they’re considering whether or not to start this series.
Thanks again and happy reading,
Hope x