Eluria's Enforcer (The Argadian Heart Trilogy Book 1)

by Adrianna Dane

  He turned and looked at Eluria who was also refreshing with fluid. He monitored her life-beat, noting it was strong. It seemed odd that in so short a time it felt normal to feel the echo of both life-beats inside his own body. Without the steady dual rhythms, it would seem a part of him was cut away.

  They were drawing closer to where the attack had taken place with the zyflamite. It would require greater caution from this point onward.

  Devon leaned back and slid to the ground. Eluria was already seated in the shade of an adjacent boulder. He felt her tense alertness; watched as her intent, narrowed gaze scanned the area where they rested. This was not the innocent girl he remembered from so long ago. All woman, all tracker, ready to kill if need be. It was all evident in her stance, in her hunter’s gaze, in the hand comfortably resting upon her weapon. And his tafai.

  “When we get to my hovercade, I want you to remain hidden.”

  “Devon, I won’t—”

  He held up a hand. “No. You agreed to do as I asked. You’ll be able to observe the surrounding area. I know what I need, and there’s no point in us both becoming visible targets.”

  She uttered a loud sigh of frustration, and glared at him, but she nodded. “All right. Unfortunately, it makes sense.”

  “If you monitor with the port-scan, you should be able to detect any movement before it becomes too dangerous. Did you put the vo-comms in your pack or mine?”

  Eluria dragged her pack forward. “They’re in mine.”

  “I think it’s time to put them on.”

  Eluria reached inside the pack and pulled out a small black container. She opened it, pulled out two tiny devices, handed him one, and placed the other in her ear.

  Devon secured the vo-comm. Once in place, and sensing his body heat, he felt the small wires, like the fragile legs of a fire spider, snake out to wind around the outer curve of his ear to hold the unit firmly in place. He stood and moved a distance from Eluria to test the units.

  “Do you hear me clearly?”

  “Yes. I hear you,” her musical tone came back through the nucleus of the unit. He turned, looked across at her and grinned.

  She returned the look in acknowledgment and stood. “Let’s get this done. The sooner we’re out of here the better.”

  Devon strode back to her. He ran his thumb along the curve of her lower lip. He felt her life-beat increase and he grinned, knowingly. Adrenalin and hot desire pumped through his veins. It was a heady feeling, enhanced by the danger.

  Twelve years as an Enforcer and he’d never felt this alive before. They’d turned him into a robot, curbed all sensations of humanity. He might as well have been dead. But now he was reborn, and he’d get them out alive.

  Eluria place a hand on his arm and he looked down at her.

  “What is it, Devon? Your rhythm has changed.”

  He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. “It’s nothing. It’s simply preparation for confrontation. Nothing more.”

  “I understand. The heat of battle rises in your blood.”

  He tilted his head to consider her, how attuned she already was to his emotions. Yes, it was the heat of battle, but not the Killing Frenzy he was used to. The Frenzy would consume him, make him a killing machine bent only on one thing…aware of only one thing—focused and utter destruction.

  This adrenalin of battle cloaked him differently. And he knew he had yet to discover the full meaning of the difference. That worried him.

  “Let’s go. I need the veil control to unlock the ship to get us off this planet.”

  Again at a slow jog, they moved toward the hovercade.

  As they neared the area, Eluria used the port-scan before venturing closer. “I’m not picking up any movement or discernible body heat. Make it quick, Devon.”

  With one last glance about the area, Devon sprinted to the hovercade. It lay on its roof, nicely mangled from the force of a zyflamite bomb. It was a wonder they weren’t both dead. One more look around to be certain nothing lurked nearby and he dropped to the ground, inched beneath the hood and through a shattered window. Opening a hidden compartment beneath the seat, he breathed a sigh of relief as he encountered the smooth, hard surface of the control.

  Slowly, he pulled himself out from beneath the useless conveyance. Wasting no time, he moved quickly to return to Eluria.

  “Did you find it?”

  He grinned and nodded. “I have it.” Leaning toward her, he cupped the back of her head and gave her a swift, hard kiss, then released her. “Let’s move out.”

  An hour later, they were hunched low beneath an overhang. Eluria scanned the area. She stilled.

  “There are three heat sources indicating lifeforce.” She glanced up at him. “It’s unusual for the Tribunal to use more than two Enforcers on a hunt. They must consider you very dangerous.”

  Devon met her steady stare. “Or you, na-nivia. My guess is they want no mistakes this time.”

  Pain flash into her eyes just before she looked away, and he felt the jagged ache enter her heart. “My father is very determined to see me terminated,” she whispered.

  Unable to help himself, Devon pulled her stiff body against his chest and stroked her hair. “He never appreciated the jewel he possessed. I’ll not make the same mistake.”

  Devon felt her shuddering breath as she fought for control. Her rhythm steadied and she pulled away. “I’m fine, Devon. He obviously wants us both. How do you want to proceed?”

  “One at a time. They’re positioned far enough apart, it will be too late by the time they realize what’s happened.”

  “You could take the one to the far left, and I could—”

  “Don’t even finish that thought. You will not confront an Enforcer in battle.” The blue fire of his eyes blazed with determination.

  “It’s not like I haven’t done it before.”

  “You’re not alone now, tafai. There’s no need for you to put your life in jeopardy.”

  She huffed. “We aren’t primitives, you know. I can protect myself.”

  “You may protect yourself, but you will not seek battle. Do you understand?”

  “All right, all right.”

  “Let’s go. Stay to my rear and watch for signs of other movement.”

  The first Enforcer went down efficiently, never knowing where the attack stemmed from. Devon surmised he was young, newly indoctrinated; hence, his skills weren’t fully developed yet. Devon felt some sense of regret in knowing they’d never be given the chance of maturing now. A hand touched his shoulder.

  “Devon, you had no choice.”

  He nodded. “I know. It’s contending with the emotions after all this time.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “We need to hurry before the others realize what’s happened.”

  As Devon came upon the second, the man whirled towards Devon reaching for his weapon. But again, Devon was quicker and had his molecular diffuser aimed and discharged before the Enforcer could free his own weapon. He disintegrated quickly until nothing was left but burned ash. Devon had never had a use for torture and always had his weapons set to max. There were some he knew who enjoyed the slow decomposition of their targets. He’d always found the act of toying with slow termination distasteful. One more to dispose of.

  As he turned to head back to Eluria, her voice came to him in a tight whisper through the vo-comm. “Devon, behind you—”

  He pressed the nucleus of the vo-comm. “Eluria!” There was no response. He felt her change in rhythm as it sped up, thundering in his chest. A cold finger of trepidation raced up his spine. She’d been discovered and she was in danger. As he moved closer, he heard her scream.

  He cornered the outcropping of rocks and his blood chilled to ice. Eluria and the Enforcer struggled on the ground fighting for control of a diffuser. She was pinned beneath him. It was impossible for Devon to use his own diffuser because the disruption of molecules could cause damage to Eluria as close as she was in the struggle.
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  A red haze of rage filled his vision. Devon sprinted forward and grabbed the man from behind, tearing him away from Eluria.

  “Distance yourself, Eluria,” he shouted to her, as he whirled and faced the Enforcer. The Enforcer confronted Devon, his eyes glowing red with Killing Frenzy, a look and feeling Devon remembered well. Too close for diffusers, he jumped at Devon and they landed in the dirt, rolled and struggled for control. Devon freed an arm, pulled back and putting all his weight behind it, threw a right punch. The Enforcer’s head snapped back. Devon landed another driving fist, sending the Enforcer flying backwards to land sprawled in the dirt. Recovering quickly, the Enforcer rose and pointed his diffuser at Devon.

  Devon feinted and the blast missed him by inches, disintegrating the rock behind him instead. Devon dived toward his discarded diffuser, rolled, came to his knees, and fired. His aim was true and the Enforcer disintegrated quickly, leaving only ash to mark his presence.

  Drawing in a deep breath, he lowered his diffuser and rose to his feet. Eluria was at his side in seconds, wrapping her arms around him.

  “Devon, oh Symion, Devon, I thought he was going to terminate you,” she cried, pressing herself close. He felt the erratic rhythm of her life-beat and wrapped his arms around her, knowing his own life-beat wasn’t much better. He’d almost lost her.

  “We have to get out of here now. They would’ve been in regular contact with a security ship. When they don’t check in, they’ll send someone to investigate.

  Quickly, he pulled her along, heading toward the location of his ship. He pointed the veil control. There was a shimmering aura and the ship appeared.

  He turned and grinned at her. “What is it the Earth show captain says? Beam me up, Scotty?” He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him to safety.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Is there any indication we’re being tracked?” Eluria asked as she entered the navigation deck of the small ship. Devon had encouraged her to rest once they’d safely entered space and were again veiled from detection. Grudgingly, she’d finally agreed, but found she was unable to sleep, still wound tightly from the confrontation on the planet surface.

  Instead she took a quick shower and returned to the upper deck and to Devon. Rest was the farthest thing from her mind. What she needed was Devon filling her, loving her, erasing those last moments when she thought he would be terminated.

  She now gazed out at the limitless void of space. It was reminiscent of the void of balance. And she was reminded of the ecstasy discovered in Devon’s arms. Liquid desire pooled between her legs and she turned away from the dark vista.

  Earlier she’d given Devon the coordinates to Ednos and they were on course. It would be several days before they arrived.

  A fire had been slowly banking inside her, a result of the combination of adrenalin rush and Devon’s nearness. When she entered the control deck, she’d felt the change in his rhythm.

  “Come here.”

  She looked up at his command. There was a blue light in his fierce turquoise eyes. She had a feeling she knew what it meant, that the same swirling, primal emotions were reflected in her own eyes.

  “Come here,” he repeated in a low voice, humming with lust. Heat swirled inside her as she walked to him.

  When she stopped in front of him, he reached up, tangled his fingers in her hair, and drew her to him. “I want to fuck you, na-nivia. Hard and fast. Right here. Right now.” She was close enough to feel the blaze reflected in his eyes.

  Eluria pulled at his skinsuit and it released. She knelt in front of him. He needed a primitive fuck, lust as old as time. A claiming of life, not a seal of love. Affirmation of continuance. She needed the same. The adrenalin rush of combat needed release. Red radiance glowed around her.

  A wildness rushed through her. For this man. Her taman, the only man she’d ever want. In every way possible. She leaned forward, licking at his exposed nipples, nipping and tugging. He inhaled and thrust into her mouth, at the same time pulling her closer.

  She sucked deeper, her tongue swirling around the hard nub as she urgently pushed his suit from his body, down across his hips as he lifted from the seat, and she tossed it aside quickly. She ran her hands along the length of his hard thighs, reached for his stiff shaft, reveled in its steely, firm length, rising between his legs.

  Devon’s heart thundered and Eluria leaned back and looked at him through eyes reflecting her need. “I want you to fuck me,” she returned in a voice thick with urgency. “Fast and deep. I want to feel you throbbing inside me.”

  With a growl, he ripped her suit open, surged to his feet, lifting her with him, and bent her over the control panel. She felt his hard, solid heat as he pulled her tightly against him. Consumed by the flames of unadulterated lust, she shoved her suit the rest of the way off, needing to feel his hot skin against hers. Devon’s fingers drove into her shax-ra, testing her readiness.

  His lips blazed a path down her neck, across her breasts. “You’re mine, tafai, mine.”

  She tangled her fingers in his hair, holding him close, reveling in his savage possession. “Yes, taman, yours. Always yours.”

  He moved back up her body, grasped her arms, spun her away from him, and bent her forward over the panel. In one swift thrust his thick khout separated her lips and entered her shax-ra. He sank deep and she screamed with pleasure. Taking her from behind, with fast, deep penetration, it was unlikely they would seal, but she could still feel every hard inch of him tunneling inside her, spreading her, building their combined heat.

  Devon leaned over her and began to thrust in short, fast movements. He ran his hands along her spine, up to her shoulders and back down to her buttocks, cupping and molding. He forced her legs wider, curved her deeper. Her juices gushed thickly around him, as he surged forward, then retreated, and surged again. She moved against him, balancing his driving intensity, meeting his demands, craving the wild, savage release she felt close to achieving.

  “Make me release, Devon. Ah, Symion, please,” she cried. She thrust her buttocks back, ground against him. He yanked her back to him, cupped and molded her full breasts, pulled at her erect nipples, sending painful shafts of excitement driving through to her core.

  He raised one hand to her neck, pulled her closer, thrust deeper. Bringing one hand downwards, he teased her hard nub, circled and sank more fully inside her, pulled back and then pushed deep. Again and again. Eluria spiraled and pulsed around his hard shaft, flying free and his release spurting inside her, her screams threaded through his cries of primal possession.

  As the lusty waves receded, slowly he withdrew from inside her. Cradling her in his arms, he turned to collapse in the chair, pulling her onto his lap. She curled close, her body still thrumming with aftershocks.

  “It’s a good thing we’re veiled,” she murmured against his neck.

  Devon stroked her back, sending shivers along her spine. “It wouldn’t have mattered. My need for you surpasses all common sense. I’d have taken you anyway.”

  She brought a hand down and stroked his semi-rigid khout. He quivered beneath her touch. “Keep that up and I’ll have you backed over that panel again before you can catch another breath, na-nivia.”

  She looked up into his eyes, a hint of amusement on her lips. “And do you think the thought scares me?” Raising a hand, she pressed it against his chest. “I feel your rhythm, taman, I know its beat as I know my own. What you desire, I give freely.”

  Devon looked down at her and she sensed his worry. Stroking her hair, he leaned back in the chair, looking out across the vast space. “We have a difficult path ahead.”

  She nodded against his chest. “We do. But we know now it will succeed. Your father would be proud, Devon. He had faith you’d be restored and would continue the fight as he couldn’t.”

  She felt the sadness of his soul and a determination of his spirit.

  Devon’s arms tightened around her. “I love you, na-nivia. We will fight for our people’s fr
eedom together.”

  “Always, taman.” She leaned up to capture his lips in the age-old bond of all time—Before and Beyond. The rhythm of their lives and strength of their love, restored and intertwined for all eternity.

  ~ 0 ~

  The Argadian Heart Trilogy

  Continue the adventure with:

  Kierra’s Thread

  Ravager’s Redemption.

  Glossary

  Anstillia Cord: Female body part.

  Beamer: Tracking device

  Before: A time prior to the beginning of the rebellion.

  Delanian Ale: Fine wine

  Ednos: Planet sanctuary for the rebellion

  Guardian: God/Goddess-non-gender (top level)

  Haydon: Hell

  Honeyberry Nectar: Sweet syrup

  Hovercade: Hummer style of vehicle

  Khout: Penis

  Kyrle: 4-legged mammal

  Lydion: A form of Heaven

  Maigin: Young Girl

  Mylonna: Male god at the right hand of Guardian (Symion and

  Mylonna provide balance to the world)

  Nanus: A type of nano technology

  Na-nivia: Endearment – my love

  Plordium: A metal ore which can hinder tracking detection (like

  lead).

  Purity: Virginity

  Rozanna blooms: A flower similar to roses.

  Seal: Sexual intercourse which includes a spiritual joining

  (union-completion-balance) (Argadian)

  Serdion: Once a thriving planet, now deserted