Helion

by Olivia March

  Gwen saw the solemn nods ripple around the table and felt her heart melt a little. She was confident in the loyalty of every Keeper present and it warmed her to know they took her and Evie’s protection so seriously. Whoever the traitor was, he couldn’t interact a lot with Helion, or Gwen felt confident Helion would have noticed his deceit. That scum’s days were numbered and as bloodthirsty as it was, Gwen could not wait for him to get his comeuppance.

  “Very well, you’re dismissed. Meet back here in one hour to take up your posts.”

  His guards all stood and bowed to him, then bowed to a bemused Gwen before swiftly leaving the tent. Helion turned to her and stood watching as she changed and dressed Evelyn before leaving her to play on the bed while she put a warm sweater on herself and started packing their meager belongings.

  Suddenly, Helion left his position and approached her. Though he’d been gone a short time, the truth was Gwen had him always in her thoughts and she’d missed him. Perhaps he’d missed her as well, because he came to stand behind her where she was stuffing clothes in her bag and bent down to wrap his arms around her waist, nuzzling her hair with his lips. Gwen tensed but a moment later relaxed into him, molding her curves to his hardness.

  They stayed like that for several moments, both oblivious to Verdun’s busyness around the tent, oblivious to everything except each other. Gwen basked in Helion’s smell, redolent of pine and the forest, enjoying the feel of his hardness behind her. His lips teased her neck, causing a sudden spike in her heartrate, and breathy sighs. Now wasn’t the time for dalliance, but soon…

  “I will protect you and our children, little mother, never doubt it. When this is all over, I’ll take you to my home. We’ll be married and raise our offspring away from the death and destruction. Your life and those of our children will never be at risk again, you have my vow.”

  Gwen stilled at Helion’s words. One moment she’d been soaking in the tenderness Helion was offering her and the next he was making promises for their future. But…it wasn’t enough. Was it? If he didn’t love her, could she take what he was offering, a safe haven for her children in exchange for uprooting their entire lives to live in a strange world? If it really was a safe haven, though, how could she not? But at what cost, if Helion didn’t love her in return?

  Her silence must have disturbed Helion, because he tensed and pulled his arms away. Gwen kept her head lowered, not wanting to see the look in his questioning eyes. This was a lot to think about and she couldn’t let him intimidate her before she thought it all through.

  “Verdun, leave us. I’ll call you when it’s safe to return.”

  Gwen flinched a little but didn’t argue when Verdun detoured to the bed and scooped Evelyn out of the line of fire. It was a habit at this point, to let Verdun take her daughter away before she had yet another disagreement with her protector. And the tone of voice she’d just heard told her there was a storm brewing. At least Helion liked to conduct these arguments in privacy. That was a small mercy.

  “You’re very silent, mate,” Helion drawled, strolling around until he stood in front of her. “Do my plans not meet with your approval?”

  Gwen had to crane her neck back quite far to meet his eyes but she did it.

  “These are big changes you’re suggesting, Helion. Is it so wrong I would want to think them over before I respond?”

  Helion eyed her for a moment, then stepped back and perched on the end of the bed, putting them closer to mutual eye level. His face was impassive and his eyes were their normal shade, which allowed Gwen to breathe a little easier. When those eyes sparked with flame, that was when she was in trouble.

  “Perhaps you will tell me what reservations you are having, so they can be dealt with,” he replied in his calm, almost bored, tone of voice.

  But Gwen wasn’t fooled. Boredom was very far from what Helion was feeling. She was treading in dangerous waters.

  “I just… This is a lot of pressure, Helion. We’ve only known each other such a short time. Hell, we’ve only been intimate over the last couple days. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve known plenty of married couples that accidentally had a kid together and married to give the child a family. But those marriages are hard-pressed to last. If things don’t work out between us, I don’t want to be in a foreign world, trying to support my family in such a strange place.”

  Helion’s eyes widened slightly at her words, then narrowed. His arms came up and crossed over his chest, though thankfully he made no move to leave his perch on the bed. Helion’s expression gave nothing away but Gwen knew instinctively she’d upset him with her words, so she scrambled to explain.

  “Please understand, Helion, it’s not like I want whatever this is between us to fail. But in my country, divorce is obscenely common. Couples fall in and out of love all the time and end their relationships every day.”

  Helion broke eye contact then, a muscle jumping in his jaw. He looked down at the floor, saying nothing, just thinking. Gwen waited in tense silence for long moments until Helion looked up once again.

  “Whatever this is between us? Explain that remark.”

  Tension rose in the room. Gwen took in that Helion’s eyes now smoldered with banked embers. Not a full-blown inferno but it promised one was coming. But how to answer without throwing kerosene on that fire? It went against her nature to be so honest about her feelings but it seemed as if now was the time for plain speaking.

  “Okay look, I understand now how much being a father means to you. I didn’t really understand it before but I get it now. But relationships that are kept going just for the children aren’t usually happy ones. I want to be happy. Yes, the safety and security you’re offering are tempting all by themselves but when I marry, I want love. I want to love my husband and know he loves me back. I don’t want to be married just because I got knocked up and you feel an obligation toward me because of it.”

  Helion seemed to consider her for a few more moments, his expression unreadable. Then he left the bed and straightened up to his full, intimidating height. He crossed his arms behind his back hard, as though trying to resist the urge to snatch Gwen up and dominate her. Which Gwen had to admit she wouldn’t be opposed to. She couldn’t wait until Helion took her to his bed again, couldn’t wait for him to take her so hard she could pretend he really wanted her, not just a convenient bedmate and someone who could give him children.

  “I believe you misunderstand my interest, little mother. If I just wanted my child, I would take him and raise him myself on Arloren. I wouldn’t need to marry you, to tie myself to you for all eternity. Because that is what mating is to a Keeper. Our marriage is forever. Whatever strange practices humans engage in, Keepers do not make breakable bonds. After our ceremony, you will be tied to me and I to you for the rest of our lives. Neither of us will ever know another from that day on.”

  Gwen could only stare incredulously, shocked from head to toe. So Helion gave her the time she needed, leisurely walking in a slow circle around her, seeming to contemplate some very naughty things if his eyes were any indication. As much as Gwen supported any plans to debauch her, she just couldn’t wrap her mind around the level of commitment Helion was promising her. Mates for life? No others? Helion pledging himself to her and telling her he would never cheat. Could she believe him—should she hope?

  “As for your last desire, little mother, I see no problem. I can feel your love every time you look at me. You have no idea what it does to me to feel such emotion sliding over my skin every moment we’re together. I know your senses can’t do what mine can so I can only tell you, as earnestly as I can, that I love you. You captured my attention when we saved your life. You captured my lust soon after. And by the time I finally made you mine, you had my heart.”

  Helion cupped her face, maintaining eye contact as he lowered his head, letting her see his emotions in his eyes, so she would doubt him no more. And in the end, he connected their lips, making sweet love to her mouth. Slow, insistent, but full of
every emotion that was coursing through his body for her alone. They stood like that for a time, letting all things said and unsaid pass between their lips.

  “We have to go now, little mother. I would get you and our children to safety as quickly as possible. But look me in the eyes now and tell me. Tell me you love me, that you’ll marry me. Tell me you’ll come with me when this war is over, be my wife and the mother of our children. You and our children are all I’ve ever wanted for my whole life. Complete me. Say you will be mine.”

  Helion held her face in both hands, looking earnestly into her eyes. He already knew how she felt and that was no surprise. But he wanted her to admit it, he wanted her to commit herself to him. Gwen was drowning. She could hardly breathe. It was so much to take in that this gorgeous, strong warrior wanted to marry her, loved her. Her heart was beating so fast it felt on the verge of bursting.

  But there was no denying she loved him with an intensity that frightened her. The idea of losing him had made her cautious but if Helion was to be believed, then he wanted to make her his one and only for all their lives. She could think of no better future than to be his wife forever, to raise their kids together in safety and security. The future was a little frightening but she’d rather face that fear with Helion at her side than face life alone. In the end, the choice she had to make was between the coward’s way, always worried about what might be, or she could show courage and take a leap of faith and love, believing Helion would be there to catch her.

  “Yes then, my darling. I will marry you and be your one and only. We’ll raise a pack of children together, on your world instead of mine. I want our kids to be safe and I want you by my side for all the rest of our days. I love you so much, I feel as if my body can’t hold it all inside and I’ll just explode from all these feelings inside me.”

  Gwen’s breath rushed from her as Helion pulled her forward and sealed their lips again, their passion igniting between them. The kiss lasted minutes, felt like hours, but was still too short. Helion’s eyes promised he was nowhere near done with her, nor was she done with him. But too soon Verdun was back, packing recommenced and chaos reigned as everything was prepared to strike camp.

  This was a beginning, not an end. There was a traitor to find, a war to win, a wedding to plan and children to raise. And even though war still raged and danger hid around every corner, Gwen had more hope for the future now than she’d ever had. Whatever was thrown at her now she could handle, because she had her children and she had Helion. The future had never held so much promise. Gwen was going to jump into this with both feet, with Helion by her side, and build a new and better future for their family. Now was the beginning.

  Epilogue

  The traitor watched his Commander’s tent for a time. His plan to kill the woman had failed. At first this had enraged him but now…now it delighted him. Because, somehow, the human had taken the Commander’s seed. That insignificant human held inside her an heir to the throne of Arloren. What a boon that could be, to have Prince Helion’s mate and heir under his control…

  Just thinking about the possibilities lit the fires of greed in the traitor’s blood. Oh the things he’d do to that human before he killed her. He just needed to get her in his possession, then he could torture her for months before stealing that babe and finally having the pleasure of ending her life. The future looked bright indeed.

  About Olivia March

  Olivia March is a happily married mother of two with a passion for books, both reading and writing. She got addicted to romance novels at the age of twelve and never looked back. When she’s not working her day job or running after her kids you can always find her curled up with a good book or typing away on a book of her own. Add in one (or three) chocolate candy bars and a soda and that is the recipe for Olivia’s perfect evening. What could be better than happy endings, endorphins, and caffeine?

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email the author directly or you can email us at Service@ellorascave.com (when contacting Customer Service, be sure to state the book title and author).

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Helion

  ISBN 9781419995453

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Helion Copyright © 2016 Olivia March

  Edited by Rebecca Fairfax

  Cover design by Kelly A. Martin

  Cover photography by Yeko Photo Studio, michelaubryphoto, everlite, Amelia Fox

  Electronic book publication July 2016

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.

  The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party websites or their content.

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com to find erotic reading experiences that will leave you breathless. You can also find our books at all the major e-tailers (Barnes & Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Google, Apple iBooks Store, All Romance eBooks, and others).

  www.ellorascave.com