“Not good enough, Dani. As long as you live, he’ll be connected to you,” Armond said.
He’s playing with me. The bastard could end the sim anytime. “You can’t be sure of that. I’m human. It’s probably different.” Dani moved left again and tripped over a rock. Shit.
That was all he needed. He had her pinned tight. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t focus her own psi. Her head pounded. She couldn’t concentrate. And there were voices, too many voices.
He lifted her with his psi and brought her closer to where he stood until he stared into her eyes.
He’s going to kill me! An odd pulse of psi had her head banging. The voices got louder. Ian, Rucon…screaming at her. Balastar? She tried to look around to see if they were there, but Armond had her immobilized. Another onslaught of images, memories of her and Ian ricocheted around her head.
“Say goodbye, Dani,” Armond said, raising his laser.
Ian’s voice tore through her fog. “Tell him ‘sleeping beauty.’ Now.”
“Sleeping beauty,” Dani said. Each word sent a searing pain through her head.
“What?” Armond asked.
“Sleeping beauty,” Dani said it louder. And then she heard the voices, for real this time.
Armond swore under his breath, but he didn’t fire.
Bet you’re sorry you played with me now, aren’t you? Dani wanted to smash his pretty albino face in.
“You heard the code, put her down,” Rucon’s voice boomed through the arena.
Footsteps from different directions echoed around her head.
“Kill the sim, Armond. Now,” Ian called out.
The boulders and trees melted away.
Armond set her down none too gently.
More footsteps and Dani blinked in disbelief. Rucon and Ian weren’t alone. Mordo, Marco, Ria, and Balastar were all there as well. Mara stepped out from behind Rucon. They all had their weapons and psi focused on Armond. Ria and Balastar hurried to Dani’s side.
“How did you all know?” Dani asked.
“Are you kidding?” Ria asked. “Girl, when you broadcast, it’s like a Ternian Zook.”
“A what?”
“Remind me to show you a vid. They’re pretty amazing. And loud. Really loud. It’s so cool you can do that. Yet another super power. What’s next?” Ria placed her hands on Dani’s shoulder and leg and closed her eyes. “Hold still a minute.”
Ria’s psi poured over her like a soothing compress, rippling inside her body. Images of damaged tissue and broken bones flashed in her mind.
Ria opened her eyes and addressed Rucon. “She’s got a couple of broken ribs, a small fracture in her skull and a nasty burn on her leg. Nothing we can’t take care of. This will hold her for now.” She turned to Armond. “What in Goddess’ name were you doing, you arrogant, pompous ass?”
Armond ignored her and addressed Rucon. “With all due respect, I was taking care of the most imminent threat to the Cavacent family.”
Everyone spoke at once.
“Killing her isn’t going to solve anything,” Ria said.
“She can’t be the only human with psi,” Marco added.
“It’s not your place to make decisions for this clan,” Rucon said.
Armond showed no trace of emotion. “It is my belief that your judgment has become clouded. You cannot harm the human because of the connection that has begun between her and your son. I can take care of this for you now.” Armond took a step toward Dani and everyone reacted. Balastar and Ria stepped in front of Dani and the others raised their weapons.
“Stop,” Rucon barked. “Attempt to exceed your authority one more time, and I will end your life, regardless of your abilities with portals. Do not make it necessary.”
Mara paled, her hand covered her mouth. “What connection?” She asked it quietly at first, then shouted it. “What connection?”
Dani had never heard her raise her voice, but she had a set of lungs on her, that was for sure.
“Your son is bonding with a human,” Armond said. “If they were to produce a child and the emperor were to find out—”
“The Cavacent clan would be cast out, penniless and powerless,” Rucon finished for him. “You think this didn’t occur to me?”
Mara turned to Ian. “Is this true?”
Ian glanced at Dani. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. He smiled at her then. A full-blown smile. Something she hadn’t seen since their night together. No. It was the storeroom. The memory of his voice shocked her. You’re beautiful when you’re angry, luv.
“It is true, Mother,” Ian said. “But she’s human. I knew the rules. I knew I couldn’t let it happen. We don’t even know if the bond could be completed.”
Dani’s breath caught, and Balastar put a hand on her shoulder.
“But that’s—” Mara stammered. “You can’t—I—” She spun around and stared at Rucon, fists balled at her side. “You knew,” Mara said. “You knew and you let it go on. How could you do that? To your own son?”
“Enough!” Rucon said. “He has it under control. With the empire destroyed and our move to Earth, soon it won’t matter. They can do what they choose.”
“What?” Multiple voices said in unison.
“It’s true. We just got word. Evacuation starts now.”
Mara glared at him.
“I did what I thought was right,” he said to her with a tight jaw.
“Right? Rucon Cavacent, you hypocrite. He needs to know. Everything. They both need to know so they can stop this farce and finish their bond.”
“Like hell,” Dani said. Judging by the other’s reactions, she wasn’t the only one confused here.
Ian approached his mother. “What are you talking about? What do I need to know?”
The look of fury Mara threw her husband made them all wince, including Rucon.
“Rules can be broken, Ian,” Mara said. “And your bond can be completed. Your father knows that better than anyone. He wasn’t capable of denying our bond even for a moment. You can’t ignore it. You two”—she looked from Ian to Dani—“belong together.”
“Excuse me?” Dani sat up straighter, biting back a groan as pain shot through her ribs. “Get me up, now.” Balastar and Ria helped her to her feet. The thought of giving in to the bond, to Ian, sent panic coursing through her. “I don’t care about this psi bonding…” Dani scoured her brain for the right word and gave up. “This thing. I don’t care. No one and no thing is going to decide my fate for me. You got that? My future. My choice.”
“Wait a minute,” Ian said. “What do you mean father wasn’t able to deny your bond? Why would he?”
Mara relaxed her fists and stood up straight. “You all need to hear this.” She looked around, making eye contact with each person there. She inhaled deeply. “Earth isn’t just Dani’s home. It’s mine as well.”
“Uh, oh,” Ria mumbled.
She’s human? Dani didn’t bother hiding her surprise. “You’re human?”
Marco startled everyone with a loud noise, something between a yell and a laugh. “You mean to tell us, he’s half human?” He nodded to Ian. “Strongest psi in generations and it’s because he’s half human?” Marco laughed now. “That’s awesome!”
“Shut up, Marco.” Ria glared at him.
“Right,” he said, still clearly amused.
Ian stared at his mother, her words sinking in. “Were you planning on sharing this information with me?” The tension in his body was palpable. He was completely absorbed in what she’d said. The shock and disbelief on his face quickly turned to anger. He was pissed.
Rucon took over for the distraught Mara. “I decided it would be best to keep it from you. Your mother wanted to tell you when you were old enough, but I convinced her not to. You couldn’t divulge that which you didn’t know.”
“It would seem,” Armond said, interrupting the tension between father and son
, “I operated without all the facts.” He appeared shaken and even paler than usual.
“Damn right, you did,” Rucon said.
Armond knelt down and bowed his head at Rucon’s feet. “Please accept my apology, your lordship.”
Rucon eyed Armond. “Does this information change your desire to serve my family?”
Armond didn’t hesitate. “No, sir. It does, however, present a new sense of urgency in getting everyone safely to Earth.”
“Agreed,” Rucon nodded. He looked at Balastar next. “And you councilman? Does this change your desire to align forces?”
“Not in the least,” Balastar said. “If possible, it has increased my respect for you. We need to finish our meeting. There are logistics to discuss.”
“Get up,” Rucon told Armond.
Armond rose to his feet.
“Do I have your word you will never again act without authority?”
“Yes, your lordship.”
Rucon nodded.
Armond next approached Dani who stood flanked by Balastar and Ria.
“I am glad you possess such ability. If you had fallen sooner, this would have ended very differently. For all of us.”
Dani threw him her best “don’t bullshit me” look. “You played with me. You could have killed me sooner.”
Armond searched her face. “You are correct. Perhaps I was guided by some intuition. It’s not like me to delay.”
Dani waited for more, but that appeared to be it. “Is that an apology?”
“If you like,” Armond said. “I now consider you one of the people I am sworn to protect. You need never fear me again.” He bowed low to Dani.
“Ria,”—Ian’s voice was quiet—“you and Marco take care of Dani. Armond, go find Samuel. We’re coordinating the move with him. Father, Uncle, Balastar, shall we continue our meeting?” Ian was all business. No sign his life had just been rewritten.
“Back to the conference room,” Rucon said.
“But—” Mara looked from Dani to Ian.
Dani shook her head. “Sorry, Mara. Like I said, my future, my choice.”
Balastar searched her face. “I knew your relationship with Ian was complicated, but I didn’t know how complicated.”
Dani tried to suppress the feeling that her fate was already written. It scared her and pissed her off in equal measure. “Go on. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
“Okay.” He squeezed her arm and joined the Cavacents.
Marco used his psi to move Dani back to her room. Ria plumped the pillows on the couch and they laid her down in a half reclining position.
“This should keep the pressure off your ribs till I can get them sorted.”
“Thanks,” Dani said. The adrenaline had worn off and the pain from Armond’s attack set in.
“You got this covered?” Marco asked.
“Yep,” Ria replied.
“Good. I’m going to go find Armond. Rucon may be okay with this, but I’ll never trust him again.”
“Great. Another reason for you two to argue. Just remember, Rucon cleared him so don’t go making trouble where there isn’t any.”
Marco grunted and gave Dani a nod before leaving.
Ria pulled up a chair and placed a hand on Dani’s leg and another just below her ribs.
Dani settled in the pillows and closed her eyes. She didn’t know what to think. Mara was human and Ian was half. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. She let out a deep breath. My choice. Her mind flashed back to her mother and father. The pain of their death had never left her. Ria’s psi worked its magic, sending soothing waves over her. She relaxed deeper, and without intention, found her psi connecting with Ian. It came so easily. Before she closed the connection, pleasure flooded into her. Oh, God. Nothing felt this good. She pulled away, slower than she would have liked and wondered if “her choice” was really only so many words.
“You okay?” Ria brought her back to the present. She’d finished and sat watching her.
Dani sat up cautiously, feeling immeasurably better. “Yeah. Much better, thanks.”
“You’re going to be sore for a few days. Just take it easy, all right?”
“Yeah, okay.” She ran a hand through her hair. “This whole thing is such a mess.”
“Which part? Armond trying to kill you, being partially bonded with Ian, or Balastar falling for you?”
Dani laughed in spite of it all. “Yes, to all of the above.” She rubbed at her eyes. “Balastar took me on a picnic today. Or at least he tried. We were interrupted.”
“Oh, please.”
“What? It was beautiful. A secluded glen. A waterfall…” Dani replayed the day in her mind.
“You didn’t.” Ria searched her face.
“What?” Dani said.
“Did you?”
“No!” Dani smacked her on the arm. “We did sort of kiss, though.”
“Damn girl, I haven’t so much as had a date in months and you’ve slept with one, and been kissed by another, of the hottest men I know.” Ria reached out and put a hand on her knee. “You know what this means, don’t you? About you and Ian?”
“Do not go there. I meant what I said. My life, my choice.”
“Okay, okay.” Ria put her hands up in surrender.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to snap at you. This is just so confusing. Balastar is wonderful. He’s kind and really seems to care.”
Ria gave her a questioning look.
“And he’s funny, right?”
“Yes, he’s funny. But, Ian—”
“Ian. I’ll be honest, he scares me. It’s too much with him. Too intense. And now, he’s human? That’s just crazy.” Dani swung her legs off the couch. “And Mara. She thinks the whole thing with Ian is a forgone conclusion. That really freaks me out.”
Ria sighed. “I don’t know what to say. I’m here if you need me. I’m going to go find out what the plan is. I’ll let you know when you’re going home.”
“Thanks.” Dani gave her best friend and alien a hug, then went to get cleaned up.
* * * *
Back in Rucon’s library, Ian only half listened to the others discuss the move to Earth. They’d allowed all family and any trusted friends access to the planet. Each household signed a contract relating to confidentiality and fealty to the Cavacent family. At some point, the humans would discover their existence, it was inevitable, but for now they planned to stay as low profile as possible. Low profile to hide from the humans. His other half. His mind reeled from the revelation. How could he not have known? And if his mother had psi as well as Dani, how many more were there?
Ian thought back to the day at the pool. If he’d known about his mother, about being half human, then…he and Dani would be together now. His gut tightened along with a pull in his psi. He should have been the one to teach her about that part of herself and about their bond.
Our bond. He allowed himself to think about her. About them being together. A weight lifted from his shoulders. Shame washed over him when he thought of the way he’d treated her. He had to make it up to her. Make her forgive him, and win her back from Balastar.
He stilled as Dani’s psi washed over him. He let her. No response, just let her be. A breathtaking blast of pleasure, and then she was gone. Ian sat up straighter. This was a new game. She belonged to him.
Chapter 17
Later that night Dani surveyed her room. She’d collected a surprising number of clothes and a few souvenirs from her time on Sandaria. Her bags sat packed by the door, and they were heading home in the morning. Balastar had left to get his affairs sorted. Moving vans were taking entire households to the space port for transport to Rucon’s merchant ships. Dani shook her head. How cool was that? An actual space port. It was all happening incredibly fast, as they had decided speed beat stealth. The move to Earth was on.
She sensed Ian’s presence a fraction of a second before the knock at the door. An
insane mix of emotions flooded through her.
“Come in.” She remained standing when he entered the room, not sure what to expect.
Ian closed the door, hesitating before turning to her. “Do you have a minute?”
Dani folded her arms across her chest. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. “Why? Figure out another way to treat me badly?”
Ian frowned. “I deserved that.”
Despite herself, she buzzed with his proximity. “Yes, you did. What do you want?” She clenched her fists, trying to maintain control.
“To talk. Dani, I’m sorry about the way I’ve been acting. It was the only way to keep you at arm’s length. I had to keep you away. To protect my family. Problem is, staying away from you is getting harder and harder. It’s making me crazy and fidgety and I’m carrying around energy I can’t expend.”
Dani was having the same problems and now, with him just feet away, she was terrified she would lose it.
“I’ve been doing everything I can to keep our distance. I had no choice. I’m sorry.”
“You already said that.” She welcomed the anger coursing through her. It gave her control. “ So, what? Now you know everything. Your mother. You. You’ve decided to play nice?” Her anger slipped and her heart ached as she lost herself in his eyes.
“We’re moving to Earth. It won’t matter there.” He opened up then, his psi enveloping her. She nearly dropped to the floor with the impact of pleasure, but he caught her in his arms. The physical contact caused some weird morphing of psi as they joined.
“I’m not playing, Dani. This is real.” His lips met hers, his tongue probing her mouth. The pleasure from psi was one thing, one mind-blowing fucking amazing thing, but combined with his touch, it consumed her. He wasn’t holding back this time. Not like on Como. When she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, they were already on her bed. Her body and psi were alive with staggering sensations, every cell buzzing with his energy. Her hands explored as the intensity grew. Suddenly, she was ripped by pleasure so intense, she cried out. Fear exploded. She was losing herself.
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