Frost and Flame

by Showalter, Gena

  Anytime he’d envisioned the future, he’d never pictured a dark-haired royal who made him feel as if he were two men. The smart one who despised her, and the lusty one who wanted her desperately, madly, who felt like he inhaled sex every time she neared.

  Again and again, Bane’s lusty side replayed the moment Nola pressed her small, delicate hands against his chest, her skin as soft as silk. How her pupils had expanded, those starry irises more mesmerizing than a nebula. How she’d flushed, making him desperate to touch her, if only to feel the burn—he’d wanted to burn. How her feminine curves had molded to the hard planes of his body.

  As soon as he had Nola in his possession once more, he would squire her away and pick another female to sate his body’s needs. No more reluctance. Pain, yes. There would absolutely be pain. Saying goodbye to Meredith... But necessity beat sentimentality, so, there would be no reluctance. He had to vanquish any desire he harbored for the Terran princess.

  Since Nola had already puzzled out the truth, she knew she held mystical sway over him. He couldn’t force her to stay with him—as he’d proven. He required her cooperation.

  Bane stalked down the sidewalk, determined. The beast unleashed an earsplitting roar, protesting the pursuit of the royal. Remain calm. Do not transform. He stuck to the shadows, multiple humans stopping to gape at him. Why? He’d washed the blood and dirt from his skin. He’d even stolen proper clothing—a black T-shirt and some kind of “camouflage” pants with multiple pockets. His daggers were hidden in his boots.

  Get in my way, get mowed down.

  Buildings knifed to the sky. Waning sunlight glinted off strange rolling boxes with humans seated inside. Bane’s eyes burned and watered. He fastened his goggles in place, welcome darkness weaving through his sightline. Last night, he’d visited his lair, happy to discover his treasures untouched by time.

  Bane turned a corner, losing Nola’s innate fragrance. The beast unleashed another roar.

  Quiet. Bane paused to sniff. An awful deluge of aromas clogged the air. Some type of oil, sweat, clashing perfumes, pine and—there. Honeysuckle, jasmine and lavender. His blood heated, and his guts tightened. His shaft swelled in an instant, throbbing painfully. For sex. Any partner would do.

  Gritting his teeth, he crossed the street and turned another corner. Her sweet scent intensified. So close! Impatience frothed inside him, and he feared he would begin foaming at the mouth.

  Remain on guard. Bane had scented six combatants in the area, Erik the Widow Maker, Knox and Vale among them. Like the others, Nola’s sister had to die. But Bane wouldn’t—couldn’t—take a shot at Vale, or Nola would punish him.

  Next time they were together, she could order him to die for Vale, and he would be forced to obey. She could demand he never seek revenge against Aveline.

  Even after Bane had offered Vale a final two deal, Nola had chosen to remain with Zion. Because she didn’t trust Bane. He started to stiffen, but fought it. I am the only one she should trust.

  How did he convince her to switch allegiance? Answers were beyond him, his mind a chaotic mess, the beast continuing to protest his actions.

  Bane slammed his fists into his temples and snaked around another corner. Finally! The beast quieted.

  Nola was close.

  His gaze darted. There she was, his princess, exiting a building across the street. He drew up short, his wits abandoning him, different parts of him experiencing different reactions. His mind—relief and a crazed need to yank her into his arms. His heart—an ache. His cock—the most intense throbbing of his life. Harder than steel.

  Pale and shaky, she leaned against a brick wall. Above her hung a sign. Pharmacy.

  His translator supplied a definition. A place where medicines are sold.

  Fury chiseled through a layer of Bane’s calm. The male courted her, procuring her medicine.

  Could he truly begrudge Zion this victory? Nola had lost weight she couldn’t afford to lose. Half-moon bruises marred the flesh beneath her eyes, her cheeks ashen. One hand clutched her stomach. The other rubbed her temple to ward off an ache.

  But the pills harmed her as much as they helped her. So, yes. He could begrudge Zion. Nola needed Bane.

  His chest puffed up with pride. He made her feel better. Him, and him alone. But, damn it, why was she sick? There had been many hybrid sovereigns over the years, yet none of them had ever battled disease.

  In this condition, Nola wouldn’t survive the Blood Rite, a rebirth in blood and flame. Although, he suspected she was, perhaps, maybe, possibly...stronger than she appeared. After all, she could teleport him, not just herself, a unique quality among royals, and one that required vast amounts of energy.

  Bane took a step forward, intending to snatch Nola and run. Then he paused. How would he handle this?

  Render her unconscious—gently!—so she couldn’t order him to release her, then whisk her to his lair, where he would tape her mouth shut? When she awoke, he’d have to work as quickly as possible to win her over.

  Could he win her over? He’d never courted a female, not even Meredith. In Adwaeweth, females selected males, not the other way around.

  No matter. He wouldn’t allow the hand of his vengeance to fall for Zion, granting her loyalty to him, making things more difficult for Bane.

  A telltale hum of electricity charged the air, signaling a combatant’s nearness. Zion, no doubt.

  Hurry! Once again, Bane jolted into motion. He crossed another street, and a rolling metal carriage—a metal horse of sorts, with many names; car, vehicle, sedan, truck and SVU—screeched to a halt, blaring a high-pitched horn.

  He bared his teeth at the humans inside it, but kept motoring forward. Time wasn’t his friend. Seconds, minutes, hours kept ticking away. Now, there were only two and a half weeks until the next assembly.

  Zion came barreling out of the shop, his expression a dark mix of anger and concern. “I told you to remain at my side no matter what.”

  Bane darted into a tangle of shadows, only a short distance away. Still closing in fast...

  “I didn’t want to barf on the tile,” Nola said.

  “And you thought you spotted Vale,” the male quipped.

  “Maybe.” She jutted her chin, just as she’d done with Bane. “It’s not like I’ve failed to mention my priorities.”

  “You could have been harmed.” Zion handed her a small white bottle. “Is this the medication you required?”

  “Yes, thank you.” The bottle rattled as she popped the top. “I don’t want to know how you got a controlled substance without a prescription. I’m sure the answer will be blasted on the morning news.” Trembling, she tossed two white pills into her mouth.

  The warrior stiffened and scanned the surrounding area. “Come. I sense another combatant.” He draped an arm around her waist, then led her down the sidewalk. “Let’s find a safe house for you.”

  He’d clocked Bane’s location before exiting the shop, hadn’t he?

  “You know,” Nola said, panting, “if we were in an episode of House Hunters, this out of work author slash baker would have a budget of six million dollars.”

  “I have no idea what that means,” Zion replied.

  Neither did Bane, but he liked the amused gleam in her eyes.

  He considered his next move. There were no rules against fighting in public, but a single skirmish would cause major problems. The more mortals who learned about the All War, the higher the likelihood other humans would become combatants.

  Then I’ll kill them, too. One way or another, Nola would be in Bane’s possession before the sun set. He gave chase, reworking his plan along the way. A snatch and go was no longer possible. If he killed Zion, he could win and activate the magic wand—if he found it. Nola would have no one else to turn to; she’d have to choose Bane.

  A dick move? Yes. Did he care? No. I’ll
just disregard the prickle in my chest.

  When the couple disappeared around a corner, Bane increased his pace. He followed. Already halfway down the street, Zion lifted Nola to cradle her against his chest.

  Growls reverberated in the back of Bane’s throat, and they were not courtesy of the beast. My princess. Mine!

  She glanced over the male’s shoulder, clearly searching for something. Or someone.

  Does she sense me?

  Her gaze skittered over Bane, then zoomed back and widened.

  Awareness seized him, heat sizzling under his skin, maddening him. Maddening the beast, too.

  She shook her head and mouthed, “No.”

  Another layer of calm got chiseled away. No, don’t let her get away? No, don’t hesitate to murder Zion? No, he shouldn’t resist her appeal any longer?

  The muscles in Zion’s upper back went rigid as he carried Nola around another corner. Oh, yes. The male definitely knew Bane nipped at his heels.

  Very well. No need for secrecy.

  As claws sprouted from his nail beds, Bane increased his speed. Approaching the corner...

  The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention. Zion would take precautions. He’d probably set Nola down. He might be manipulating energy in some way or another even now. His specialty, made possible by the diamond-like objects embedded in his skin. The type of energy didn’t matter. Electrons, muons, taurine, quarks, gluons, time, space.

  Somersaulting around the building, Bane shot out his legs—

  Contact! His boots slammed into Zion’s middle, the warrior stumbling backward.

  Bane’s momentum propelled him to his feet. He took stock. All around, Terrans had been halted midaction. If not for the mystical wards tattooed on Bane’s nape, he would have been forced to halt, too.

  Where was Nola? She had to be close. The beast had lapsed into silence. Where... There! She sat on the sidewalk, leaning against a building. Her head lolled forward, a pained moan slipping out.

  Why hadn’t she strengthened with Bane’s nearness? Unless the block to keep him out of her head also affected her body?

  His jaw hardened. “Give me the girl, and I’ll let you live. Today, anyway.”

  “What do you want with her?” Zion fisted and unfisted his hands, his metal gloves glinting in what little light remained. He walked backward, putting a car between them.

  Admit the truth to an enemy? Never. Bane sneered, saying, “What does any man want with any woman?”

  He expected disgust from Zion, even rage, but it was suspicion that glowed in the male’s dark eyes.

  Even those who’d studied Adwaewethian culture had no idea the royals wielded absolute control over their warriors. Instinct prevented Adwaewethians from speaking about kingdom business with outsiders, ever, even when tortured.

  Anyone who’d studied Bane specifically would know only that he’d won two All Wars, and he’d lost his wife right before the start of this one.

  “What do you want with the mortal?” he demanded. What had the warrior dreamed about her?

  Zion flashed a cruel smile. “You could get what any man wants from any woman here.” He waved to indicate the bevy of frozen mortals. “And yet you follow this one. Perhaps you need her for something more, eh?”

  Bane heard the implied threat. You need her...so I will keep her just to spite you.

  “Instead of fighting, let’s work together,” Zion announced. “Erik the Widow Maker spent centuries planning for our escape. He has allied with a handful of combatants, Union among them. Union is on your trail, and Erik is on mine. They are determined to take out the strongest combatants, and they are always many steps ahead of us, their numbers increasing daily. At this rate, they’ll win in a matter of weeks.”

  Union owned a belt that doubled his strength. Ability-wise, he could cast illusions. Nothing Bane couldn’t handle. “My answer is no.” He extended his hand and waved his fingers. “Come to me, Nola.”

  Her gaze met his, and for one suspended moment, they were the only two people on the planet, currents of awareness arcing between them. Then she shook her head and told him, “I’m staying with Zion. Please, trust me. This is for the best.”

  Another refusal. His fury exploded into rage. With a roar, he picked up the car parked between him and Zion and hurled it, further tearing the gash in his shoulder. Worth it. The vehicle crashed into a building across the street, busting a brick wall and shattering glass, granting Bane a straight shot to his target.

  “I go with plan B, then.” Zion launched across the distance, too, drew back his elbow and threw a punch.

  Bane raised his arm to block. The metal glove shattered every bone in his hand, pain snatching the air from his lungs. An overflow of adrenaline kept him on his feet. With his uninjured hand, he clawed Zion’s gut and confiscated one of his daggers. Blood and intestines poured from the wound.

  Zion stumbled back once more, and Bane tossed the dagger, nailing him between the eyes. The other male dropped, and Bane raced over to stomp on his face.

  He faced Nola. As he approached, she shook her head. “We can’t stay together, Bane.”

  “We can. We will.” Needing a hand free, just in case, he hefted her over his shoulder. Then, he launched down the street, her breasts bouncing against his back.

  “You don’t understand,” she said, beating at his back.

  “Make me understand, then.” Behind him, footsteps sounded. Damn it! Zion had already healed and now gave chase. “Make me understand in a minute.” He set Nola on down and turned. Shit! The bastard was closer than he’d realized.

  They collided, Zion throwing a punch. His fist shattered Bane’s sternum.

  Breathing? Nothing but a pipe dream. In seconds, his level of pain reached new heights.

  When the male threw another punch, Bane was ready. He ducked, then slammed his knee into Zion’s testicles. A low blow, both literally and figuratively. No regrets.

  Zion retaliated quickly, crouching to knock his ankles together. Bane hit the ground, rolled backward and popped up, slashing his claws over Zion’s thigh. Leather pants and flesh tore, his opponent grunting.

  Next, a ballet of movement ensued. Punching, ducking, kicking. They moved from the road to the sidewalk, crashing into frozen mortals and brick walls. With only one working hand and a single usable lung, Bane fought from a massive disadvantage. The smart thing to do? Retreat and heal. Will die before I willingly abandon Nola.

  Zion’s fist crashed into his temple. Stars winked through his vision, and he lost track of the world. Just for a second. Or so he thought. When he blinked, his opponent and his princess were halfway down the road.

  Once again, Bane gave chase. He made it three steps when a loud honk rang out, a vehicle clipping his side. He took flight and smacked into the ground, new waves of pain racking his body.

  By the time he made it to his feet, Zion and Nola were gone, the mortals no longer frozen. Other vehicles sped down the road.

  The beast roared, and a blistering curse burst from Bane.

  He had to change Nola’s mind. Somehow. Nothing would stop Bane’s quest for vengeance. Nothing.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Breaking up is hard to do

  HAD NOLA MADE the right decision? The look Bane had given her...such betrayal.

  With the golden god at her side, she could endure opioid withdrawal without actually going through opioid withdrawal. For her, Bane equaled pure, perfect strength. With Zion, she merely maintained the status quo, pounding back pills to survive. Addiction equaled weakness, and she was so danged tired of being weak. Especially now.

  Aliens existed, and they warred for the right to rule Earth.

  But staying with Bane meant endangering him. What if Zion’s dream came true? Once, Nola would have laughed about the very idea. Her? Kill someone? Please! But if ever
she lost control of her dark side...

  Someone’s gonna get cut.

  “The magic pills must be working,” Zion said, racing up, up a dark hill with Nola clutched against his chest. “You haven’t vomited on me...again.”

  Her cheeks heated. Earlier this morning, she’d barfed on his shoes as he’d portaled her to the heart of Denver, Colorado. “Are you complaining? I’m sure I can rustle up more bile, if it’ll brighten your day.”

  “No, thank you.” With awe-inspiring stamina, Zion maintained a swift, steady pace, never huffing or puffing. He dodged towering trees, bits of cotton twirling on a soft breeze.

  Looked like snow was falling. Reminded her of Russia. Russia reminded her of Bane. Beautiful Bane, who’d claimed he only wanted to screw her. Knowledgeable Bane, who had answers about her past, present and future. Injured Bane, who she’d abandoned yet again. Vulnerable Bane, the warrior she kinda sorta already...missed.

  A crown of foliage blocked beams of moonlight. Frogs, locusts and crickets sang a midnight lullaby. Croak. Buzz. Chirp.

  “I’m sure you have questions,” Zion said.

  Where to start? “You can freeze time, huh?” The people who’d milled around them had halted, not even seeming to breathe. Then, as Zion had carted her away, they’d started moving again, unaware minutes had passed.

  “No. I manipulate energy, a far better skill.” He looked left, right, then over his shoulder, on the lookout for a certain golden shadow. Then he used his free hand to open a portal. Just before he stepped through, he tensed and muttered, “Someone other than Bane invaded my dimension.”

  “How do you know?” Nothing looked out of place.

  He motioned to a spot beyond a cluster of trees, and Nola cast her gaze over the lush, sunlit jungle—a hard breath clogged her throat. A severed leg dangled from a gnarled limb, blood dripping, pooling on the ground.

  Her stomach performed a series of backflips. Had Bane opened a portal for someone else, since he’d been unable to visit the dimension himself, thanks to her command?