by Alana Serra
"Probably the same reason you are," she said.
His features grew pained. "It is too dangerous. I nearly lost you once, I cannot do it again."
The old Ren would have pulled away from him so fast it would've left both of them dizzy. But now she found herself lowering a hand to his chest, where she could feel his heart beating as fast as hers.
"We have to do this together, Rhavos. I think you know that."
A growl rumbled in the back of his throat and he leaned down to kiss her again. Soft and sweet, but only lingering for a moment before he drew back and nodded.
"I did not know how I was going to get past any of their security," he admitted.
"And I'm not sure I would've made it past all these guards," she said. "But we've got this."
He smiled at her and Ren smiled back, lost for a moment as she considered how much of a compromise this was from them both. There'd be time to go over just how much she'd changed as a person later. For now, they needed to get to work.
She and Rhavos moved methodically through the vault. Ren hacked into the terminals and brought down nearby security systems while Rhavos choked out every Freedom Fighter in their path, eventually dragging them into less conspicuous spaces once they reached the lower levels.
They avoided everyone they could, taking shortened paths Ren now remembered. She hacked her way past secure doors and they gradually made their way deeper and deeper into the vault.
She knew Dallas was the goal for Rhavos, and she didn't blame him. She also knew that the authorization she needed to get all the way through the system—to disable any attack they were planning to launch at the Karuvar—would have to come from Dallas, too.
It took them hours, if she had to hazard a guess. At one point, they decided to hole up in an empty room and wait for most of the Freedom Fighters to go back to the barracks, leaving only a few guards, cameras, and alarms on the way to Dallas' room.
They'd nearly reached the last corridor when Rhavos stopped, his ears pinned flat against his head, his tail lashing in agitation. He didn't tell her to stay quiet—he didn't have to. She could read it in his expression.
As she stilled her breathing and concentrated, trying to tune into what Rhavos was sensing, she could almost feel a presence nearby. The shadows shifted around her, and Ren was reminded of those few helpless moments before—
"Look out!" she yelled.
A figure tackled Rhavos, shoving him into the wall. She expected quills, but what she saw was a humanoid form bristling with thick, coarse hair. It followed the spine like the ridge on a boar, and as she saw the being's face, she realized that wasn't too far off the mark. Tusks protruded from a mouth that was closer to human than not, and bony nubs followed the line of sharp cheekbones and a pronounced brow ridge.
He wrestled with Rhavos, long claws at the end of each finger digging into her mate's skin. Rhavos didn't buckle, though, managing to get the upper hand long enough to slam the Nikhiza back against the wall.
Before Ren could warn him, she saw a barbed tail lash out toward Rhavos, raking over his thigh. He growled, the surprise of it catching him off guard, giving the Nikhiza enough time to grapple him and force him to the ground.
Ren's heart was pounding in her ears. Fangs snapped, tails lashed, claws rent, and all she could think about was saving her mate.
She didn't hesitate, pulling the knife from where it was settled against her thigh and driving it between what she hoped were the Nikhiza's ribs.
It howled in pain, seizing up just enough to give Rhavos space to free himself. He didn't waste the opportunity she'd given him, his large hands grabbing the sides of the attacker's neck. With one firm twist, the Nikhiza went limp.
She looked at Rhavos, both of them nearly panting. She thought she'd be shaking, barely able to hold the knife that was now coated in another being's blood. But with Rhavos looking at her the way he was—with such overwhelming pride and adoration in his eyes—she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she'd done the right thing.
"Let's finish this," she said, her gaze cast toward the room at the end of the corridor.
Rhavos nodded and led the way.
20
Rhavos expected resistance.
He armed himself with one of the blades he'd found on a downed human and—reluctantly—a small firearm that hung at his hip. Rhin still held her knife, the Nikhiza's blood wiped off on the leg of her pants. She was not shaking, nor did he scent fear from her. She had done what needed to be done to save him, and Rhavos could not have been more proud of his mate.
As they made their way down the last corridor, the human leader's room looming ever closer, he felt oddly… contented. It was the same sense of calm and ease he felt before deploying his men to a new planet. The actions he and Rhin had taken this day, while unorthodox, felt honorable. If he died now, it would be in service to his mate, and that was something that felt capable of washing away all his past sins. The Stars would judge him unworthy if they wished it, but so long as Rhin believed him to be strong and good and honorable, he would consider it a life well lived.
Pausing before the door, Rhavos scented the air. He could smell humans, but it was difficult to untangle one scent from the next. Even the faintest hint of Nikhiza still clung to the area, further clouding his ability to assess the situation.
He looked to Rhin, and she seemed to realize it the moment he did: They had no choice. Reaching for the door, Rhavos yanked it open and prepared for the fight of his life.
But what he found was not a room full of humans and Nikhiza, all armed to the teeth. Instead there was only one human. Dal’uhz. And he seemed completely unconcerned with their presence.
He had his back to them, something that made Rhavos' ire rise dramatically. This human thought himself invincible, when one well-aimed shot from Rhavos' firearm would end his pathetic existence.
But perhaps the human knew they were not here for that. If he had orchestrated this alliance between human and Nikhiza, he was likely very cunning.
"You know, it's not very nice to kill a man's pet," he mused, finally turning away from a large terminal to face them.
"Nikhiza are not pets," Rhavos said, bristling.
The feud between the Karuvar and the fractured colonies of the Nikhiza was longstanding, beginning far before Rhavos ever held the title of Conqueror. To see a Nikhiza filled him with absolute rage, but even he would not sink to dishonoring them in such a way.
They were ruthless warriors and assassins. Not playthings for a human's amusement.
"They are when you've learned to control them," Dahl'uhz said with a grin that unsettled Rhavos. "Thanks for being the guinea pig on that one, by the way. Couldn't have done it without you."
The human's gaze had settled on his mate, and Rhavos let out a snarl that rattled the walls. He put himself between Rhin and Dahl'uhz, his instincts flaring. The urge to kill the male was strong, but when he felt a light squeeze on his arm, he calmed somewhat.
"This ends now," he said, his words a low rumble that swept through the room. "Your men are not coming, and you will not make it out of this alive if you resist."
The human laughed, a sound that made Rhavos draw his ears back flat against his skull. His muscles tensed, his fingers curling tighter around the hilt of his sword.
"Why would I need any of my men when I can just control someone I know you won't touch?"
He pulled a device from his belt, his intent clear. Rhavos lunged, pinning the human to the ground, but it was too late. He heard the click of a button being pressed, Dahl'uhz's fingers curled around the device in an iron grip. Rhin cried out in pain, and ice flooded Rhavos' veins.
Using his legs to keep Dahl'uhz underneath him, Rhavos turned to see his mate. She was doubled over, the knife clutched in her shaking hand. Her gaze cast up toward him, her eyes pleading.
"Take care of this, will you, sweetheart?" the human called.
Rhavos grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him into
the ground. His fist connected with the human's face once, twice. Blood flew with every blow, Rhavos' violence unchecked.
He would kill this male. He would kill him for hurting his mate. And once Dahl'uhz was dead, Rhin would be freed from his thrall.
But not free from the Karuvar. With this human dead, there would be no one to testify to her innocence. Rhavos growled, feeling helpless. He stopped striking the human, and Dahl'uhz gave a broken, watery laugh, spitting bloody saliva from where it pooled in his mouth.
"Even if you kill me, the code will still execute. You'll die at her hands."
Another strike and the human was coughing. So be it. If this was the way he was going to die, he would make sure he took Dahl'uhz with him. The thrall would clear eventually, or Rhin would rouse enough to find what was triggering it and put a stop to it.
She would have to flee, but right now, that seemed the best of his limited options. His hands twitched, eager to snap the neck of the human who had caused his mate so much pain.
But her voice stopped him. "Rhavos."
He looked over his shoulder and saw her approaching. Something in her eyes called to him, begged only one thing of him.
Trust me.
Her knife was drawn, held out as if she had every intention of using it on him. She moved to his side, crouching down. Her arm extended, her hand flexed, and she held the knife against his throat.
Rhavos didn't dare breathe.
"Nice touch," Dahl'uhz said behind a wheeze. "Having him look into your eyes while you kill him."
She was holding his gaze, and for a very long moment, nothing happened. Her hand buckled, and he could see her drawing in short breaths through her nose.
And then with a growl to rival any Karuvar, she pulled the knife away from Rhavos' throat and leveled it at the human's.
"Tell me how to stop it now or I end your miserable life," she promised.
Dahl'uhz's gaze narrowed. "Maybe I need to be more specific: Kill him."
She dug the edge of the knife into his flesh until blood beaded at the surface. For the first time, Rhavos actually caught the acrid scent of fear. The human was practically drenched in it, his skin paling, his eyes wide.
"What the fuck? Why isn't it working?"
"Because my bond to him is stronger than anything you can do to me," Rhin said, and Rhavos' heart soared. "Now tell me."
He spat out more blood. Deliberately this time. "I don't make deals with alien whores."
With surprising swiftness, his mate turned her knife around and struck Dahl'uhz with the blunt end of it. His head drooped and he fell unconscious.
“That was amazing," Rhavos said, not bothering to hide his awe.
His mate gave him a shy smile, pushing herself to her feet. "We don't have a lot of time, right? I think he's got an escape route down here." She scanned the wall, finding a special panel. "There. Hold his arm up to that."
"What about your implant?"
"Already on it," she said, moving to the console.
She dug around for something, and Rhavos did his part, lifting Dahl'uhz and holding his arm up to the panel. It blinked green, revealing a secret door that slid open.
"I imagine Verkiir sent men after me," Rhavos said. "I do not know the kind of reception we will receive."
"I got this from the pod,” she said. “Maybe if you can reach them first?"
She tossed him a small communicator which Rhavos caught with his free hand. It was possible Drann would order their immediate deaths, but he had to believe Drol'gan's son was better than that.
Activating the communicator, he said, "This is Rhavos fer Rhakvar. Inform Pathfinder Drann that my mate and I are emerging from the humans' vault, and we are bringing their leader with us."
They were met at the vault's entrance by a massive party of Karuvar warriors, with Verkiir at the helm. Weapons were drawn, bodies were tensed, and all signs pointed to he and his mate not living through this encounter.
But Verkiir's gaze moved between them, then to the still-unconscious human Rhavos carried. He raised a hand in silent command for his men to hold formation.
"That is their leader? Dahl'uhz?" he asked.
Rhavos nodded. "His men are alive, but disabled. The Nikhiza we encountered is dead."
"And this," Rhin said, holding up what looked to be little more than a metal stick, "contains every bit of data I could pull from their terminals."
Verkiir's brow ridge scrunched, and Rhavos did not envy the decision he had to make. No doubt he had already lost favor with the Pathfinder for letting him escape.
"I still have to take you into custody until the Pathfinder can review the evidence," he said, and motioned to his men.
Rhavos let out the breath he'd been holding. There was still a very real chance they would be executed, but for now, he and his mate were safe.
By the time they were placed into holding—in the same room, as they feared what Rhavos might do if they were separated—his mate was exhausted.
She remained close to him throughout the trek back to Waystation Helios, and once the guards shut them in, she crawled into his lap and clung to him, pressing sweet kisses to his chest, shoulder, and neck as if she could not believe he was here with her.
Rhavos could not believe that either, and he wanted to make the most of it. If these were their last moments together—their last moments alive—he wanted to spend them well.
His cock stiffened immediately at the idea of mating her, of touching and kissing and loving her so thoroughly that neither of them would forget it. When she shifted, he let out a soft growl and nuzzled against her hair. His hands moved to her thighs, and he caressed her with more care and gentleness than he'd ever shown anything in his life.
But his mate was still. She did not burrow against him or wiggle her shapely rear to the benefit of his aching cock. Her breath came in soft, even patterns, warmth dusting his chest, and Rhavos chuckled.
She was asleep.
He held her close, honored by her trust in him, and remained as still as he could while she slept.
Enough time passed for the guards outside to change shifts. The room felt warmer than before, and Rhavos could only guess the sun was reaching its apex outside.
When his mate finally roused, she did so with a rather endearing yawn and a sheepish smile. He smiled back at her.
"How long was I out?"
"Several hours, I think," he answered softly.
She stretched, her ass pressing against him in a way that woke his cock once more. This time she let out a little gasp, meeting his gaze. By the Stars, he burned for her. But he would not take her if she did not wish it.
"Guess I shouldn't have fallen asleep on your lap, huh? How long have you been, um… dealing with that?"
"Off and on," he admitted.
Amusement glinted in her eyes, but her lips spread into a sly smile that made his pulse quicken. He dared not move as she reached behind her, stroking him through his pants.
"We'd better do something about that."
Rhavos needed no further encouragement. He kissed her deeply, his tongue tangling with hers. His hands moved under her shirt, sliding over her skin as he plotted the path he intended to take with his mouth.
But his mate had other plans. Lifting her rear from his lap, she reached down to undo the strings of his pants. Her hand sought out his cock and he groaned into her mouth as she stroked him. His composure faltered, but it was not completely shattered until she began to grind her lovely body against him, the heat of her begging for him to claim her.
And he did.
He pulled her garments down just enough and buried himself inside of her. He clutched her to him as he thrusted, and she gripped his shoulders to steady herself, meeting every motion he made.
When her release came, she buried her face against him, her moan muffled by his shoulder. Rhavos came soon after, having not a care for who heard him.
She remained there, wrapped in his arms, the two of them still connec
ted in the most intimate way possible. Lifting her head, she looked up at him with pure adoration in her eyes.
“Hey, whatever happens today… I just need you to know…”
Rhavos stroked her cheek and bent to kiss her. “I know.”
They were together now. He had redeemed himself to his mate; he had won her love and trust before facing his final judgment. No matter what happened later, that was all he needed in this life.
21
No one came for them until later that day.
Ren had no idea how much time had passed in reality, but once they were led from their windowless room, she could see it was just starting to get dark outside. Their wrists weren't bound, but armed guards escorted them through Waystation Helios.
Rhavos didn't ask questions, and so she kept her mouth shut, too, though she felt like she was on display. They passed lots of human onlookers in the Waystation's halls, their stares ranging from gentle curiosity to outright condemnation. She assumed stares from Karuvar would be even worse, but outside of their guards, Ren didn't see any.
Which was… odd.
She understood why the second they were processed and led outside. The Zavellan was as close to the ground as she'd ever seen it, taking up a huge space in the massive canyon that housed Waystation Helios.
Karuvar were boarding en masse, hundreds of them ascending the ramp, and the guards that collected her and Rhavos led the two of them into the crowd.
Very few Karuvar seemed to pay them any mind, and Ren exchanged a quizzical look with Rhavos. He just shrugged, prompting her to edge that much closer to him. If even he had no idea what was going on, that didn't bode well for the two of them.
The Zavellan was crowded, but they were escorted through the dense groups to the bridge, where she saw what she could only describe as organized chaos.
A huge, open room was being filled by Karuvar and a few humans. She picked out Verkiir and a human woman Ren could only assume was his mate, as well as Addison and her mate, Kor'ven. The humans' attention briefly flicked to her and Rhavos before everyone looked elsewhere.