by Anna Argent
He curved his body over hers until his breath brushed her ear. “You will come when I wish it. I want to feel you clench and shiver around me as I release within you.”
She wasn’t going to survive him. He was simply too much man for her to take. And yet she couldn’t imagine not feeling this pleasure ever again.
He kissed her shoulder, sucking and biting until she was sure he would leave a mark. His body curled over hers. His mouth trailed along her spine, sending her nerves into overdrive trying to keep up with so much concentrated sensation.
The pace of his thrusts sped. Her whole body shook with each powerful stroke. His palm pressed against her stomach, just above her mound. Sparks from the garala crackled along her skin, sinking into her abdomen and through her spine to where his other hand rested. She had no idea what he was doing, but it was enough to make her tense and coil that last little bit so that she could lurch into a soul-shaking orgasm.
The pleasure of it shimmered out from her core, lighting her brain on fire as it passed. She heard her own shocked cries, followed closely by Warrian’s rough growl. Hot jets of his semen erupted deep within her, feeding the flames of her orgasm until it choked the air from her lungs.
This was no gentle pleasure. It raced through her like a tidal wave, ripping away everything it touched until all that was left was the feel of Warrian at her back as the last heated pulses of his release filled her.
Isa went boneless. She was wrecked—completely and utterly destroyed. But even as she sank to the bed, even as she gasped to find enough air, she realized that Warrian had replenished her. Whatever had been taken by the garala when she’d nearly died, he had restored. She didn’t know how he’d done it. She didn’t even know if he realized what he’d done. But there was one thing she knew without a doubt: if she continued to be with him like this, she was going to fall in love with him, and that was something she couldn’t afford to do.
As soon as she ended the war, she was coming back here, and she doubted that a man with as much honor and sense of duty as Warrian would ever abandon his home.
Loving a man she could never be with would only end in heartache.
Chapter Twenty-two
Warrian should not have given into his baser urges. Having Isa once had marked him, but he’d been able to convince himself that the pleasure they’d shared was exaggerated by his imagination. Such things were simply too good to be real.
And yet it was real. The cascading pleasure coursing through him was no distortion. Every shivering, precious second that his body had been joined to hers was verification of what he feared most.
Isa was different from other women. Special. He could not simply return to his old life and find this kind of union with another.
There was a sort of magic lingering within Isa that he couldn’t understand. She brought out urges in him that he hadn’t even known existed. She made him think about beautiful things. Impossible things.
If he didn’t control himself, she was going to destroy him.
Warrian turned her onto her back so that he could drape pale gray strands of energy over her abdomen, ensuring no child of his would grow. As the sparking filaments of light stretched between his hands, he trembled.
She had shaken him to his very core, altering him in some fundamental way he didn’t understand. He knew she had to leave, and that once she did, he would never be with her like this again. And for some reason, that knowledge made him pause when he had never before hesitated to do his duty to a woman after spilling within her.
There was hope within her now—hope that she would conceive, and that a child might be enough for her to summon him to the palace. Be with him.
Their child would need a father. She would demand he do his duty and stay by their side, loving them. They would be a family. Happy. He would protect them both, ensuring their safety.
But as he looked at Isa’s sweet face, so trusting and relaxed, he realized his hesitation for the betrayal it was. Not only to her, but to a child that had the right to exist for a purpose other than his selfish desires. Her children needed to be of pure blood lines to ensure that future generations would be protected. Diluting her child’s blood with that of a warrior was the same thing as betraying his people—no better than what his father had done to ruin their family’s name. He was still trying to make up for that, and would never subject a child of his to the same shame he’d grown up with.
As the vivid fantasy of a life that could never be died, Warrian gathered his honor and did what he knew he must. He draped the pulsing strands of the garala across her belly, ensuring she would have no need to summon him to the palace. Ever. Once she was settled in her new role, his duty would be fulfilled and he would leave her side. It was the only way.
Isa let out a long, contented sigh as he finished. She reached for him, her slender arms shaking with fatigue. He gathered her against his side, and stroked her hair until he felt the gentle weight of sleep fall over her.
Their time together was nearly over. Another window would open soon, and this time, he would be ready for any trouble that might come. She would pass through, and from that point on, he would see her again only when duty demanded it. There would be no time alone. No stolen moments of intimate pleasure.
It wasn’t enough. He wanted more of her. All of her.
As the implications of his want began to coalesce within him, he shoved them away, refusing to acknowledge anything beyond what must be done. His feelings could not matter. Nor could hers. Only the survival of Loriah could matter now.
Besides, he’d already ruined any chance he’d ever had to have more with her than a few stolen moments. He’d broken the law, repeatedly. It had been his duty to repair the damage done to his family name so that his children and grandchildren could live without shame, holding their heads high. Instead, he’d given into temptation and destroyed all chances to restore his family’s honor.
The only thing worse than a Loriahan empress being with a warrior would be being with one whose honor lay in tattered shreds.
He should have told her before claiming her body again. He should have given her the truth—told her how tarnished his name was. The fact that he hadn’t even summoned the courage to do that much proved just how little he had to offer her.
They would go their separate ways and he would hope no one ever learned just how low Her Imperial Majyr had sunk—not for his sake, but for hers. Loriah needed an empress without scandal or weakness. And if that meant he never again got to see her, kiss her, or hold her in his arms, then so be it.
He would find a way to stop loving her, given enough time. Somehow.
*****
Isa waited until Warrian was busy cleaning blood from the truck before she sought Talan out. He sat on the floor in front of a coffee table. A black leather vest was laid out, covered in hundreds of tiny metal objects she couldn’t identify. Rows of colored glass vials sat in fitted pockets on the inside of the vest, and several of those were missing or empty.
As soon as she came into view, Talan lifted his head. He said nothing. Just stared.
“You know how you said you wanted to do something for me?” she asked.
His face lit with eagerness. “Yes. Did you think of something?”
“Warrian says he’s coming back to Loriah with me. There’s nothing I want more than to have an ally at my side, but I get the feeling that if he leaves here, it won’t be good for him or his career. Is that true, or am I guessing wrong? He won’t tell me the truth.”
Talan’s expression darkened the moment she started talking about Warrian, but there was nothing she could do about that. “Warrian would be defying orders if he were to leave here before we find all of the Taken. That defiance would likely mean the end of his career.”
Ouch. No way could she let him give that up for her. “I’ve seen him fight. With the war going on, I’m sure they’d make an exception, wouldn’t they?”
He shook his head. “Men like us… we don’t buil
d. We don’t create. We fight. We protect. Without that we don’t have a place in society. We have no reason to be.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m sure you guys could do other things.”
“We’re at war. There are few jobs other than that that hold value right now. If his warrior status is stripped away, all that will be left for him to do is basic labor, serving those who can fight. I haven’t known Warrian long, but I’ve known men like him before. He’d do the job he was assigned without complaint, but it would kill something vital inside of him.”
Talan was right. She couldn’t strip away something so important to Warrian because she was feeling needy and selfish. Because she was afraid.
She caught Talan’s gaze and kept her voice low so that Warrian couldn’t overhear. “When the time comes for me to go through the window, he’s going to try to follow me. I need you to keep him here. Will you do that?”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Have you thought this through?”
“I have.”
“Okay then.” Talan bowed his head. “I swear it.”
“Thanks.”
He looked at her again, giving her a hard stare that went all the way through to her bones. He stood and took a step forward, then another, putting him within arm’s reach. “I will return with you if you like. Protect you. Serve you.”
Whoa. The look on his face was the same hungry, blatantly male look she’d seen Warrian give her, only with Talan, there was no answering response inside of her. No softening, no excitement. In fact, it scared her a little, making her wonder just how far he might go before she was able to stop him.
“And what about your career?” she asked, her voice tight with apprehension.
His gaze darkened, and the look of desire that crossed his features was as obvious as the black curling marks along his scalp. “You’re more important. I would happily give it up to be near you.”
“No. I don’t want that.”
The eager hope lighting his eyes died, leaving only the rough lines of anger behind. “What you want and what you need are two different things. If you go back alone, you will have no one to protect you from the council.”
“Then I’ll protect myself. I’m not letting anyone give up their career for me.”
He went back to where his vest sat laid out on the coffee table and yanked something from it. He held out his hand, and in the center of his palm was a small, flat ring with intricate markings running around the edge. “Take it.”
“What is it?”
“Emergency beacon. Break it, and it will send out a signal that I’ll be able to track.”
“But we’ll be on different planets.”
“It won’t matter. As soon as a window opens, the signal will come through.” He took her hand and closed her fingers over the disk. “Keep it on you all the time. If I see the signal, I will come for you.”
Isa pulled her hand from his and nodded, letting him think she’d call him.
She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t call any of the men here. She would find a way to do what she needed to do on her own, or she would die trying.
Chapter Twenty-three
Warrian checked the site where the window would open for the third time, finding no sign of Raide or Dregorg. That they weren’t here now didn’t mean they weren’t coming soon.
Freezing rain had turned to snow, coating the area in a film of white. The sun was rising, glinting off the pristine surface, revealing no sign of footprints but those Warrian had left.
He brushed the snow from his jacket and climbed back into the warm truck where Isa waited. Talan was with her, still weak from his wounds. Most of them had healed well, thanks to Isa’s aid, but there was a scar along his scalp that cut through his family markings, interrupting their fluid patterns. He’d survived his ordeal with the Raide, but he would wear reminders of that encounter for the rest of his life.
“See anything?” asked Talan, his voice faint.
Warrian glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “Nothing.”
“Radek called a minute ago. He’s watching the road, but hasn’t seen any signs of approach either.”
Isa clenched her hands together in her lap. “How much longer?”
“Five minutes,” said Talan.
This location wasn’t as isolated as the others. While he couldn’t see cars passing on the highway nearby, they were close enough to hear. There were three houses within sight, and all of them had lights on inside, indicating people were awake and preparing for their day.
Warrian covered Isa’s hands with his. “We should go.”
She nodded, and looked over her shoulder at Talan. “Now, please.”
“Are you sure, Your Imperial Majyr?” asked Talan. “He’s going to be pissed.”
Tears sparkled in Isa’s eyes, until they were as bright as tropical waters. “I’m sure. It’s the right thing. And you owe me.”
Talan let out a long sigh of regret.
Warrian glanced between them, trying to understand their conversation. “What is going on?”
Talan’s hand entered the edge of Warrian’s peripheral vision. He held something small and shiny in his grip. With a movement so fast Warrian could not prevent it, Talan jabbed something into Warrian’s neck.
He felt the harsh burn of a drug entering his system, then his body began to go numb.
Fury exploded behind Warrian’s eyes, blinding him for a long moment. Talan had drugged him. Isa had asked him to do so.
“We don’t have much time,” said Talan. “I only gave him a small dose so I could counteract it if we’re attacked.”
Warrian tried to tell him to do so now, but his mouth didn’t work. Nothing worked. He was completely immobile, unable to protect Isa from whatever harm might come.
How could Talan have betrayed him like this? How could Isa?
Her face filled his field of vision. “I can’t let you give up everything for me. I’m going back alone, just like I’m supposed to do. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. If anyone tries to screw with me, I’ll stab them with my pretty blue dagger.”
She leaned down and kissed his lips. He couldn’t feel it. Her last, precious kiss and he couldn’t feel a thing.
A moment later he heard the door of the truck open as she got out.
“I’m escorting her to the window,” said Talan. “I’ll be back when it’s done, and release you so you can beat the hell out of me.”
*****
Isa saw the starlight shimmer of the window expand until it became a solid surface of light.
She was scared to death, gripping her dagger like her life depended on it. The urge to turn around and look at Warrian one last time bore down on her, slowing her steps, but she managed to resist.
If she looked at him again, seeing betrayal sparking in his eyes, she knew she’d crumble.
Now was not the time for weakness. Now was the time for her to square her shoulders, lift her head, and pretend like she was the kind of woman who could walk in and save an entire planet.
The ridiculousness of that notion bubbled through, forcing a giggle from her lips.
“Your Imperial Majyr?” asked Talan, standing by her side. He tossed something metallic into the pool of light.
“Nothing,” she said. “Just a brief moment of insanity. It’ll pass.”
“There will be people waiting for you on the other side. Imperial guards, some members of the council wearing blue sashes. If you see Dregorgs or Raide, turn around and jump right back through the window. I will be here, waiting.”
“A lot of windows have opened without me coming through. How will anyone know I’ve made it through this time?” she asked.
“They won’t. There have been imperial guards stationed at the opening of every window since we came here to find you.”
“So I’m going to surprise them?”
“In a good way.” He glanced at a flat disk in his palm. “Okay. You’re good to go. Remember to call if you need me. I will come.”
Isa understood all those stories now.
She didn’t want to do this. She didn’t want to leave her home, her friends, her job.
Warrian.
But she knew deep down that she had no choice. This was what she’d been born to do. For all she knew, it was the only reason she’d been born.
So despite her fear and the huge cloud of self-doubt that loomed over her, Isa stepped forward, took a deep breath, and walked into the light.
Chapter Twenty-four
The second Warrian was injected with the antidote, he exploded into motion. He wrapped his hands around Talan’s thick neck and squeezed, driving him down to the icy ground.
“You let her go alone,” growled Warrian.
“No choice,” Talan choked out.
“You did it because she asked you to—because you would have done anything to please her. I saw the way you stared at her. I saw the lust in your eyes.”
Talan’s face turned a dark red. “Her decision. Empress. I wanted to go too.”
A string of vile curses erupted from Warrian’s lips. If Isa had commanded Talan to act, to let her go alone, then he had no choice but to obey. He couldn’t expect an honorable man to defy her imperial orders the way Warrian had.
He released his grip and stumbled back until he was sitting propped against the truck’s front tire. Anger pumped through him with every beat of his heart, stifling his ability to think clearly. His breath went silver in the air, billowing out hard and fast.
“Why?” he managed to ask.
“She saved my life, Warrian. There’s a piece of her inside of me, so clean and warm. Even if she hadn’t been the empress, I would have done whatever she asked.”
Warrian knew how that felt—that hot, shimmering sensation she’d left behind within him. He knew how powerful that feeling was, and how it could change one’s perception. It had made him do things as well. Break laws, ignore tradition. How could he blame Talan for doing half of what Warrian had done?