by Mary Auclair
She rubbed his hard length, losing her control over what little sanity she had left. Her body had a will of its own, acting on a hunger it could never fulfill, trying to quench a thirst that would never be quenched.
“I’m going to make you forget everything that’s not me.” Karian’s lips brushed her ears. “I want you to scream my name so loud it’s going to be carved on your mind.”
Rose melted into a warm puddle of want as he pulled away just long enough to peel her clothes off in fast, hungry movements. It was like the bed was a living being, embracing her back as Karian leaned over her, spreading her legs apart with his knees. His hand slid from the insides of her thighs, climbing up to the hot dampness between. His large thumb rubbed over her most sensitive place, making her spine crawl with fast, deep shivers of pleasure.
He was so male, so utterly and completely male. She hungered for more of him.
By then, his eyes were a midnight blue so dark it was almost black, the lines of his face stretched in a desire so powerful her whole body responded in a surge of heat. The Mating Venom was acting fast, making every cell in her body respond to his touch.
Each stroke of his body shot raging bolts of fire up every inch of her, erasing everything that wasn’t raw pleasure.
“I can never let you go.” Karian met her eyes. “You’re mine forever.”
“Yes,” Rose answered, melting with desire. “I’m yours.”
Then he took possession of her mouth again and her mind was a blank canvas of pure sensation. In one long motion, he slid inside her, joining their flesh as one. The sensations filled her, overwhelming her senses.
Her pleasure built up, unruly and savage, more intense every time his body stroked hers. Then, without warning, rapture exploded, making her scream, thrusting her head backward and arching her back. Karian’s own climax came in hot jets inside her and he roared, his pleasure joining hers. Rose’s orgasm spiraled, multiplied, sending wave after wave of complete ecstasy through her, one after the other.
At that moment, she knew.
Her life was never going to be the same. She had been kidding herself, thinking she had mated him only with her body. Her mind was as intimately enslaved to him as every inch of her skin. They were tied by more than just flesh. His soul was branded into her, his bones knitted into hers. They were two parts of the same soul.
When she opened her eyes again, it was to stare into the bottomless pit of a blue so intense, it burned her thoughts before they had a chance to form.
She was still panting when Karian pulled off her.
Slowly, her mind shed the fog of pleasure. It was like she had been in a tunnel, with only Karian at the other side. Nothing else had mattered. Nothing else had existed.
She was still shaking with pleasure when she fell asleep with Karian at her back.
CHAPTER 23
ROSE
T he next morning, Rose woke up when Karian stirred and got out of bed. A slow smile spread over her lips at the sight of his naked body in the early morning light. The man was built, with lean muscles bulging on his thighs and a round, perfect ass.
“Stop staring at my butt.” Karian turned his head to shoot her an amused glance. “If you don’t stop, I’ll have to get back in this bed, and we’ll be late for your meeting with your cousin.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” Rose said with a chuckle, and slapped his hand away as he reached up her calf. “Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
“Oh, I can finish it.”
“Sorry.” She wriggled away. “I’m not letting you distract me.”
Karian turned away with a rueful smirk and started to dress. In record time, both of them were ready and flying in the direction of the township. Arlia and Enlon were to meet them later, after Rose had talked with Aliena.
On the way, Rose stared at the expanse of the grassland, its soft, moving surface drifting under a caressing breeze. The landscape was a dizzying sea of green, and she looked around, wondering where the township was hidden. There was nothing in the distance that suggested a large city.
Then the transport hovered over a large, round-topped hill.
“We’re here.”
“That’s the town?”
Karian chuckled and as Rose looked over the side of the transport, the hill broke open to reveal a sparkling underground landing strip.
“It’s underground!”
“The best defense system there is.” Karian watched her reaction. “This is the biggest town on the southern hemisphere of Eokim. You have to stay by my side at all times. No exceptions.”
“No exceptions.” She flashed him a brilliant smile as the transport lowered into a cylindrical enclosure made of shining metal and blinking lights.
“This is the High Council’s special landing strip,” he explained. “Only a handful of people know its location. It’s the safest place in town apart from the Council Hall.”
“It’s incredible.”
Two serious looking males walked in their direction, their blue eyes shining in the low light. Above, the hilltop closed with a clean hydraulic sound, sealing off the landing strip from the world above.
“Commander Karian.” The first male spoke with clean military efficiency. “The way to the Council Hall has been cleared. It’s safe for your bloodmate to travel.”
“Frey, Dimyon.” Karian tilted his head in greeting. “Has the communication link to Earth been established?”
“Yes, Commander Karian. You have about ten minutes. After that, Earth will be out of alignment.”
Karian helped Rose down and put a protective arm around her shoulders. They immediately proceeded to walk at a brisk pace. Rose struggled but she kept up with them, not wanting to slow them down. The landing strip was incredible, dug out of the white Eokian stone and fitted with almost silent hydraulic gears, opening the hilltop wide enough to easily fit a transport carrying a hundred people.
Rose followed Karian down a long tunnel, at the end of which stood a familiar sapphire blue male displaying his usual grim attitude.
“Seems like your cousin is as stubborn as you are,” Arlen said as Rose neared the door. “I’m starting to rethink the theory that humans were hunted to extinction. Your kind was probably just exasperated to death by its own female.”
“It’s nice to see you, too.” Rose flashed Arlen her best smile. “You know, I think maybe this task is a little overwhelming for someone so sensitive to female stubbornness.”
Arlen grunted, then spun around and walked away.
Karian’s hand slid to Rose’s elbow, squeezing it, then he bent down to her ear. “Quit playing with my brother.” His voice barely concealed his amusement. “He’s a well-respected warrior.”
“He’s a high-handed jerk, and he had it coming.”
Karian chuckled and, in front of them, Arlen’s back stiffened.
They finally arrived at a large room in the center of which was a huge oval table, flanked by a series of heavy chairs big enough to seat the big warriors comfortably. There was a control panel to one side, with a technician working on setting up the communication link with Earth. The entire back wall was a screen, filled with a buzzing static.
“Let’s start.” Arlen talked with his back turned to Rose, but he was no longer stiff and angry. He was as focused and efficient as always. An Eok trait, if there ever was one.
The static on the back wall fluttered and gave way to a familiar face. Rose forgot everything else as she gazed into the eyes of her oldest friend.
“Aliena.” The words came out, breathless and heavy with relief. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” Aliena smiled, stretching pale skin over sharp features. She was painfully thin, but even so, she was still as pretty as ever. Her high cheekbones highlighted large, deep brown eyes so dark the irises were almost indistinguishable from the pupils. Flowing black hair, like liquid silk, spread on each side of her small face.
“I was so afraid we�
��d never meet again.” Rose let out a rush of air. “How is everybody?”
“Hanging out fine,” Aliena said. “Turns out Ferrin’s brother is not half the asshole the rest of the family is. He’s been taking care of us since you disappeared.”
“Martin? I never thought about him that way.” Rose remembered the young, slim man of barely twenty. He was always under his older brothers and father’s ruling, never speaking up, never objecting to any of the nonsense. “He hunted for you?”
“Hunted for us, made sure we had enough wood for the fire, even went to get me some sapling for my tea. He tried his best to get me better.” Aliena glanced over her shoulder at an unknown person in the room. Her face clouded over, then she turned back to Rose. “He’s the one who left me for the Eoks to find. He said a slim chance was better than nothing. He saved me.”
A low growl answered Aliena’s last words. She looked back with a defiant glare and narrowed her eyes. “He did,” she said forcefully. “He left me out in the open where he knew they’d find me.”
A male voice answered something Rose couldn’t make out and Aliena’s face turned red. Whatever her cousin had heard, she didn’t like it. Aliena snapped her head back to Rose.
“You’ll find the village at the coordinates you see on the commu-link.” Aliena flipped her hair. “The Eoks would never have found them. You did good to insist on speaking to me. I’d never have given their location otherwise.”
“Thanks, Aliena.” Rose felt hot tears fall down her cheeks. “We’ll save them all, you’ll see.”
“Listen, while you’re fighting the Ring, I’m going to go after your—”
A fizzy burst of static invaded the screen, cutting off the remainder of Aliena’s sentence. Rose watched the flurry of white and black for what felt like an eternity.
“We have the village’s location.” Karian’s voice came from behind, and a hand closed on her shoulder. “Khal is already on his way. I should have confirmation of their location before the day is over.”
“What about Aliena?” Rose turned and locked gazes with him. “Is she going to join us here? She looked like she still needs medical treatment.”
“Kamal is taking care of her for the time being.” Karian made a face that told her things weren’t going smoothly for his brother. “He doesn’t want to let her out of his sight. After she’s well, he’s going to work on locating your father and the other missing men from your village.”
“Father…”
The shock was enough to make her dizzy. Rose had been so focused on rescuing her mother, brothers and cousin that she had forgotten about him. She realized she had subconsciously assumed her father was dead, even though she had no proof or indication of it. She had just given up on him. Shame and guilt stung her in equal measure.
“I’ll have more news as soon as Kamal gets a lead on their location.” Karian’s hand left her shoulder. “Earth will be within reach at the same time tomorrow.”
“Why don’t you attack the breeding facility?” Rose asked, but she knew the answer. “He could still be there with the others.”
“It’s under the Genetic Preservation Board’s protection. Attacking it would not only be illegal, it would be a declaration of war on the Ring itself.”
“And hundreds of thousands of innocent lives would be lost.” Rose understood. Karian was Commander in Chief of the Eok armies. He was a loyal soldier, and a born leader. He would do everything he could to keep his promise, but even he couldn’t provoke the full strength of the Ring’s wrath.
“For now, the only thing you can do is wait. The Ring’s next session is in just one week. Until then, you are the humans’ only hope. You are the only proof. All that matters is to keep you safe.”
“Thank you.” Rose’s throat closed under the strength of her emotions. “For everything you’ve done.”
“Now, about your shopping…” Karian opened his mouth to add something, but closed it as a tall, golden-haired figure strolled into the room.
“I’ve been waiting for you forever!” Arlia walked up to Rose and hugged her closely, then withdrew. “Now, let’s get some quality time together. You need the distraction, and I could use the amusement.”
Arlia took Rose’s hand in hers and began chatting about which color scheme would most complement her skin tones.
Rose turned to see Karian watching with a dark, conflicted expression on his face. Finally, he gave a jerk of his head and four synthetic-leather clad males entered the room and stood at attention. Their faces were closed and their eyes were on high alert, like danger was lurking in every corner. Seeing them flayed her already raw nerves.
“Bodyguards,” Arlia said with a shocked smile. “We’re only going to the fabric square. We’re going to be finished in an hour, two at the most.”
“Rose shouldn’t even be in town.” Karian answered politely, but there was steel in his voice. “I’m allowing this, but only if you both agree to obey the guards at all times. Okay?”
“All right.” Arlia shrugged. “I’ll keep Rose safe. You have nothing to fear.”
“I know.” Karian smiled, the warmth of it making Rose’s belly clench with emotion. “I’ll see you both at the house later.”
Karian bent over and kissed his mother on both cheeks before turning to Rose and putting a burning kiss on her mouth. Then they left for the fabric square, the four guards following them like huge, muscled shadows.
AS SHE SAT COMFORTABLY in the transport with Arlia and Enlon, Rose patted the green sheer fabric she had chosen at the market. It felt awkward and wrong to be choosing fabric and thinking about how good it was going to look on her body, when she knew the people she loved still lived in great danger.
The wait was starting to eat away at her.
Rose and Arlia finally arrived home, then went their separate ways into their private quarters. At the end of the afternoon, Rose headed back through the long hallway leading to the kitchen.
Upon getting closer, she heard the hushed sounds of what seemed like a heated argument. The voices spoke fast, their words clashing into each other, but their tone was low, as if they didn’t want to be overheard.
As she came to the doorway of the large common room, Rose saw Arlia and Maral behind the rounded counter that ran the length of the kitchen. Arlia’s back was turned to Rose, but Maral’s face was visible. As she saw Maral’s angry expression, Rose immediately wished she had stayed away.
“Don’t you dare tell me what I can and cannot do in my house,” Arlia said. “You’re my son’s mate, don’t ever forget that. This is my home, not yours.”
“You heard what Erlock had to say about humans, especially females.” Maral’s eyes suddenly found Rose’s, and even in the distance, Rose saw her pupils reduce to slits. “She’s nothing but a slave. An animal.”
The sharp sound of the slap reverberated against the rounded walls. Maral’s cold eyes widened, her black pupils dilating until there was almost no more purple left. She raised a delicate hand to her cheek, touching the fast-reddening skin as though she couldn’t believe what Arlia had done. Rose could barely believe it herself.
Maral hissed and showed her wicked little teeth, but recoiled as Arlia growled viciously. Between the two, Arlia had clearly won the physical contest, although Maral’s deviousness was an advantage Rose wouldn’t discount in a fight. That one was full of bile and as deadly as a snake.
“You.” Maral’s gaze went from Arlia to Rose, making the stronger female turn around in shock. “It’s all your fault.”
Maral whirled around, her flowing gown following in a graceful flurry of sheer fabric, and stalked out of the room to her private quarters. Rose was left alone with Arlia, who looked like she had swallowed a cushion full of needles.
“Good afternoon,” was all Rose thought to say. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Midnight God, no!” Arlia chuckled, allowing the humor to break the tension from her shoulders. “Maral is just being Maral. Don’t pay any
attention to her.”
“Is Karian back?” Rose cast a look around the empty room
“He’s with Enlon and Arlen at the township.” Arlia stared down at her cup, but her lips lifted at the corners. “They should be back for last meal. You can holo-call him if you want. He’ll pick up for you.”
They heard a crash, then Maral’s crystal voice could be heard. She was beside herself, shouting and talking too fast for them to understand. Rose didn’t need to understand her words to know she was the cause of Maral’s anger.
“She’s too spoilt, and she can’t bear not to be the prettiest female around anymore,” Arlia said with such disapproval Rose had to smile. “She has a wicked heart, but she can’t do anything against you.”
“She’s spoilt all right.” Rose approached and thanked Arlia when she handed her a full cup of a warm liquid, white and opaque, smelling strongly of peppermint and sugar. “As far as the prettiest, I think she still has that one. I’ve never seen any creature as beautiful.”
“Avonies are beautiful, and Maral is a great beauty, even for her species,” Arlia conceded, taking a long sip of the liquid in her cup. “She’s jealous of you.”
“Jealous of me?” That was a surprising thought if there ever was one. Rose couldn’t think of anything the beautiful Maral could want that she possessed. “I have nothing, not even clothes.”
“You have the one thing she was ever refused,” Arlia said, still gazing at her cup. “You’re Karian’s mate, and that’s all there is to it.”
“But she’s Arlen’s mate. Why should she be jealous of me?” Arlen was a handsome male: tall and strong. He was a bit brooding, but he was smart and loyal to a fault. Maral should count herself happy to be the mate of a male like him.
“That’s a long story.” Arlia smiled sadly. “And not a lovely one.”
“She and Karian were lovers, then?” Bile churned in Rose’s stomach at the thought, and she realized that for the first time in her life, she felt jealousy about any female who might touch Karian. He was hers, and nobody else’s. “He never told me that.”