Marek (The Vartik King Chronicles Book 1)

by Liza Probz

  “I’ll watch for you.” She pulled his arm over her shoulder and helped to move him down the hall, working hard not to breathe in too deeply. He smelled so damn good, and the desire to cuddle up in the bed next to him was almost overwhelming. He was pissed at her and rightly so, but he would be done with her soon.

  Jazmine laid him on the bed, pushing him back gently before picking up his thick legs one at a time and pulling them onto the mattress as well. Sadness washed over her as she covered him with the thick white blanket. He gave no response other than to roll away from her, his breathing deep and telling of sleep.

  “Night,” she whispered and brushed her hand over his shoulder and down his side. He was magnificent and everything any woman would want wrapped around her. Too bad he had come to the conclusion that she was simply more trouble than she was worth. She scoffed at herself as she walked to the front of the ship. He was a transport and she was a pain in the ass. The truth of her reality was simple. Whatever had happened the night before was simply a blending of his power and her hormones. Nothing existed between them other than those few moments. At least not to him, from what she could gather.

  Jazmine sat down in his chair, the leather worn from him sitting in it no doubt. The view in front of her was stunning, the galaxies of the West beyond brilliant in color. Jazmine pulled her long hair up into a messy bun and leaned forward, resting her arms on the dash. A loud beep caused her to jolt back, awareness that she had pressed something accidently with her elbow washing over her.

  “Damn,” she muttered as she stood and tried to figure out what she had done. An image of a handsome young man popped up on the screen in front of her, the visual moving toward her until the top of his body was three dimensional. He looked almost identical to Marek but younger.

  “Oh, this is a surprise,” the man said and leaned in as if studying her.

  “I’m sorry. I pushed a button on this damn thing and…” She glanced down, panic flooding her system. She needed to get off of the connection with the guy before Marek heard her and realized what she had done.

  “No apologies needed. I assume my brother isn’t around?” The younger male laughed before clearing his throat. “I’ll drop the call in a minute. Is he resting?”

  “Yes. He had to use some part of his power that left him rather incoherent.” Jazmine glanced up as calm rolled over her. The guy looked kind and welcoming. “He’s going to kill me if he knows that we’ve spoken. No one was to know about me being here.”

  “I already knew. He told me about you last night. He’s quite taken with you.”

  “He was taken with me, but it was an illusion of sorts, I suppose.” Jazmine sat down, tucking her legs underneath her. “He’s pissed at me now. We should be in Killian tonight and I’m ready to part ways.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and she brushed them away, embarrassment her present companion. She had spent her life fighting for everything, scourging the streets for food and clothing, and here she was, a grown-ass woman, torn up over someone she had just met.

  “No, you’re not.” The guy’s voice was soft and caring. “He’s not either, by the way. He just holds too much loyalty to our people to put us in danger. It’s an unfair position that he’s in. My brother isn’t at all interested in the women of our planet. I think he’s always wanted to travel the universe to simply see if someone existed that could bring him to life.”

  Jazmine listened intently, forcing herself to become calloused and indifferent again. She wouldn’t be crying for anyone other than her brother. He deserved her tears, but no one else did.

  “How did you end up on the ship and what’s your name?” he asked, leaning back and reaching behind him for something. He slid a T-shirt over his head, his hair a mess of curls.

  “I begged your brother to let me come with him to Killian in exchange for jewels I picked up.” She paused, smiling at the empty promise of being his concubine. “My name is Jazmine. I’m a Territhian.”

  “Did he take you up on the jewels or simply offer you his own?” The guy laughed, obviously knowing more than he was letting on. She laughed too, unable to help herself.

  “No. The bastard wanted sex. I told him anything to get me away from the King of Vanfia, though I never intended to make good on the promise.” She shrugged as her smile faded. How badly she wished she had made good on it now that the chance to feel him take control of her was fleeting. He wanted her off the ship and away from him. She couldn’t blame him at all.

  “The King of Vanfia? Wow. That’s ballsy. Do tell me what you did.”

  “Tell me your name first.” She turned her attention back to Marek’s brother.

  “I’m Nojan. Marek is the oldest of us boys. Zelup is just below him and then I’m next up.” He smiled and winked at her, his expression warming her slightly.

  “I stole the king’s jewels, though only you and I know that.” She slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled them out, shaking the bag in front of the camera. “They are white crystal. One of the rarest jewels in all of the worlds.”

  “Oh, I know. I own two of them. I collect artifacts. I would bet that only you and I have these precious beauties now.” He chuckled. “I didn’t steal mine but paid a high price for them. Why are you forced to steal?”

  Forced to steal. He might be the only person in history that looked at it like she did. Stealing wasn’t an option. It was a necessity.

  “I needed funding to get to Killian.”

  “Why Killian?” he asked, no condemnation in his voice.

  “I’m in search of something rare that will help me… with, um… something personal.” She glanced down and tucked the bag back into her pocket. No one needed to dig into her past and the resounding pain that existed there.

  “What are you in search of? Perhaps I can help.”

  She glanced up, her eyes going wide. “Could you? I just need to locate it. I’ll do all the work to get it and will steal a million jewels simply for the information of where the object is.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “No payment necessary. My brother seemed more alive talking about you yesterday than I have ever seen him. I love him dearly. That was good enough for me.”

  “Yes, well you should see him today. You wouldn’t be so happy with me.” She rolled her shoulders and let out a long breath.

  “What happened?” Nojan asked.

  “We were pulled over by interstellar cops who were looking for me and the jewels I stole, I’m sure. He had to hypnotize the cops and send them on their way. He looked like shit when I came out of the back.” She swallowed hard, needing the building sadness to go away. It didn’t sit well on her and wouldn’t do any good.

  “Ahh, well, I’m sure he’s just torn over what to do. My mother and father announced his bride yesterday and he wasn’t too happy with that. It’s probably just a culmination of that horrid news and knowing that he has to let you go to honor their future for him.”

  Nausea rolled over Jazmine at the news of Marek’s arranged marriage. She hadn’t thought that far in the future simply because it seemed childish to do so, but knowing that they would never reconcile or be together was heartbreaking.

  “Wow,” she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “Tell me what you’re looking for and let me help you.” He smiled sadly, his level of empathy almost comforting.

  “The Bronze Jewel of Gillum.” She sat back, not expecting him to even know what she was referring to. It was a jewel that was said to be created at the beginning of time, a piece of the original tree in the Garden of Gillum.

  “My turn to say wow.” He chuckled softly. “That’s a myth to most. Why do you believe it to be true?”

  “I don’t know if it is or not, but I have no choice but to find it.” She leaned forward, needing the call to end so she could let her emotions burst forward at the shitty situation she had allowed herself to get into.

  “I’ll look into it for you. Is there a way to get in contact wi
th you?”

  She nodded and flipped her wrist over, holding it up to the screen and letting him scan it. He could speak to her telepathically from anywhere as long as she accepted his call.

  “Thanks for your help, but don’t trouble yourself too much for it. I’ll find it eventually. I just pray it’s in time.” She stood up and glanced down at the dashboard. “All right. Nice to meet you, Nojan. Tell me how to drop the call before I get my ass into more hot water.”

  “Nice to meet you too, Jazmine. Don’t lose hope. The only thing greater than life and death is love. Keep that truth near you when things get rough.”

  She smiled sadly as he faded from her vision.

  A large orange planet sat just ahead, the electronic map on the dash showing that they would need to dock in three hours. Just long enough for her to recap the events of the last few days to better understand all of her mistakes. She needed to be more stealthy, more controlled and conniving to not end up in another situation like she had with the Vanfia King.

  That was the least of her worries compared to the reminder of her need to be calloused and uncaring. Leaving Marek was going to feel like a knife going through her. How someone had the ability to steal her thoughts and burrow down into her heart without even trying just showed how needy she was. Perhaps being a sex slave was a good bet. Being touched by many and loved by none?

  Sounded quite safe.

  Chapter 14

  Marek woke to the sound of her voice, the soft timbre wrapping around him and causing his heart to skip a beat. The girl had gotten under his skin and he lamented over the fact that he had to let her go. Not getting to hold her underneath him while he made love to her all night would be a regret he would bear. There was no need in pondering on it at present simply because from her words, they were approaching Killian.

  He groaned and got up, readjusting himself and walking into the bright orange glow. She sat in the co-pilot’s chair, her legs drawn up and arms wrapped around her. Not sure of what to say to her, he didn’t say anything at all. Marek leaned over the console and checked the angle of the craft, turning it just a little as he pressed a small button and leaned over, speaking into it.

  “CA-135 requesting to land.”

  Static buzzed as a response and Marek made his request again. A high-pitched female voice responded a few seconds later.

  “What’s your business in Killian and where are you from, pilot?”

  “I’m a slave trader from Territh and I simply need fuel and a gift for my mother.”

  “Access granted. The port will allow you a six-hour stay. After that, you will be towed. Understood?”

  “That’s more than enough time. Thank you.” He pressed the button and glanced over at the beautiful humanoid that had stolen his breath more times than he cared to count in the last twenty-four hours. “Looks like we’re good. You have everything you need?”

  “Yes. Thanks.” She continued to look out the window, her emotions obviously on lock-down. She had resorted back to the tough-shelled woman he first picked up, which was probably best for both of them.

  “Good.” He pulled the ship in and moved back to greet the guards as the doors opened. Grabbing his wallet from a jacket hanging nearby, he turned and reached for her. “Pretend to be my wife or they will ask questions and try to register you too.”

  He took her hand and nodded as two guards moved toward them. The people of Killian were a mixed breed, but most of the inhabitants were eight-legged creatures that flew. The people of Territh often considered them to be larger versions of small insects that would sting when offended, labeling the flying creatures as bees.

  Marek squeezed her hand, trying to offer reassurance as they moved past the large bees and down onto the flatlands. The dirt beneath their feet was orange, as were the clouds and sky above them. Killian was mild in temperature, welcoming, and quite friendly to merchants. Their greatest products were various types of rice. They were the only planet with enough space and water to grow the delicious grain. Marek knew without a doubt that he needed to stop on his way back and grab some for his mother.

  Jazmine slipped her hand out of his and walked beside him, glancing over and smiling tightly. “I appreciate the ride here. Sorry for not holding up my end of the bargain. Once a thief, always a thief.”

  He started to speak, but she cut him off, her voice deadpan, eyes flat. The blue ring around her dimmed significantly to the point of him barely being able to see it at all.

  “I’ve never stolen a ride before.” She shrugged as they approached the marketplace. “Thanks again.”

  She turned and walked toward the large gates just outside of the market. The port behind them bustled with activity.

  “Wait, Jazmine.” He walked toward her and took her by the shoulders as she turned and looked up at him. She was close to breaking, her attitude nothing more than a farce.

  “What?” She looked up at him, the bright green of her eyes lost to the cloudy emotions that stained her. He couldn’t take her with him. He had a future that was planned out and restricted to someone from his lineage. She would never be anything but a sex slave to him if he took her with him. She deserved more than that and he would want far more than that from her.

  “Nothing. Be safe.” He pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her hard and letting go.

  She patted his back as if they were nothing more than awkward friends. “You too. Take care.”

  He watched her go, his heart squeezing painfully in his chest. Something about the moment felt like the worst decision he had ever made in his life. Marek turned and walked down a few aisles within the market, picking up various bags of rice and trinkets for his family. Sickness rolled through him, but he pushed it back. Why did it feel like someone had cut his heart from his chest and thrown it into the abyss?

  He paid for his goods and walked back to the ship, nodding at the guards that buzzed about before moving into the warmth of his makeshift home. It smelled like her, everything reminding him of her for some bloody reason. A two-week trip to Killian would have killed him if a damn day had him almost bending over in pain.

  He dropped all of the items on the kitchen table and moved back to the darkness of his bedroom, needing to find his center before starting on his way back home. Sitting down on the side of the bed, the taste of her rolled over his tongue, the memory of her moans and soft whimpers leaving him almost broken in two. He groaned against his hands, his body tensing as he let his emotion rush out in a long cry into the emptiness around him.

  Nothing would become of them and he had done himself and his people a favor. He would get over her. He had to. He turned and ran his hand over the coolness of his sheets, wishing like hell he had just taken her once. Mating be damned. He needed to have the feel of being buried deep inside of her for the rest of his days. It would have brought peace and remembrance of a time when passion existed.

  The future that was planned out for him was anything but what he wanted for himself. He would do what was expected of him and marry his cousin, producing sons and ruling the nation until the oracle pushed Zelup into place. Agony rose in his chest and he swallowed it down, standing and rubbing hard along the strong muscles he had done nothing to get. All of the potential in the world and he wanted none of it without red-hot passion to follow.

  It was a wasted thought, an empty desire. Nothing would ever spawn from it.

  Marek walked back into the kitchen and quickly stored all of the items away. He opened his safe, a smile touching his lips at the fact that she had taken his ruby. He was glad for the gift belonging to her now, her beauty and energy far exceeding anyone else he could have given it to.

  A small brown bag sat at the front of the safe, a little slip of paper on it. His heart beat painfully as he pulled it back, emptying the contents into his hand. All of the white crystals from Vanfia sat in his palm, the note saying nothing more than Thank you. She had given him all she had for the trip. He poured them back into the bag and tucked it into
his pocket before reaching up to shut the safe.

  Something near the back glimmered brightly. He reached in and pulled out the large red ruby as realization washed over him. She hadn’t taken anything but his heart. The jewels were still here and she had given up her own. How did she have money to leave Killian?

  She didn’t.

  Chapter 15

  She would likely be stealing something and riding to another planet with another man. Anger burned in his stomach, the thought of someone touching her or pressuring her to do any of the things he had planned to do to her burning him from the inside out.

  “Fuck that,” he muttered and walked to the front of the ship, checking the time and noting that he still had five hours. Finding her in all of Killian was going to be a pain, but with her scent haunting him, he had a sporting chance. He moved to the door and walked out as it opened, jogging down and pressing the button on his remote to close it. He glanced as the large bee creatures turned around.

  “I forgot something.” He smiled, not truly sure if they could understand him or not. It didn’t matter as they didn’t seem to mind him much. He jogged past them and weaved through the tables of vendors, ignoring the stares he got. The sun would soon set, but the moon was hardly any different in Killian. It would grow cold, but the brilliant orange glow would never stop.

  Making a quick left turn, Marek jogged from the port center up a thin road between a littering of mud hut houses. Various oversized insects moved around, some of them more horrifying than others. If he was creeped out, surely she was scared. The thought drove him to pick his jog up to a run. He would just give her the jewels and be on his way. Nothing could change the fact that she couldn’t be his, but he could ensure that she had a means to make it safely on her next trip.

  Maybe he could take her from place to place for the next six months. He could simply disappear into space as she did what she needed to do on each planet and then he would come back and pick her up. Or maybe he could actually go with her. What the fuck was she looking for anyway?