“She’s fucking beautiful,” Xavier said.
They were here. All here with me. I wanted them all.
Mine.
* * *
“Rogue, wake up.”
I opened my eyes to Xavier’s face and sat up quickly. “Are we there yet?”
His eyes lit up in amusement. “No, I decided to interrupt your beauty sleep just to see you smile.” His expression sobered. “Seriously though, how are you feeling?”
The heat had finally ebbed enough for me to think. It was still there but not as intense. I could do regular things like speak in actual sentences.
I grinned up at him and swung my legs out of bed. “I feel good.”
I’d fallen asleep fully clothed, and it only took a minute to pull on my boots and then we were headed out of my quarters and down the corridor that led to the bridge. Vex, Tide, and Lore turned to face me as I entered. They were all dressed casually in loose pants, vests, and T-shirts. Vex’s golden hair was damp from the shower, and Tide’s dark locks were mussed, giving him a boyish look. Lore looked studious as always. But his somber expression was absent, and there was excitement in his eyes.
Xavier had turned the roof of the ship into a map of the streaking stars, and stepping onto the bridge was like stepping into space. We were still in hyperdrive.
“Just a few minutes,” Tide said. “We’ll drop out in a few minutes.”
Anticipation bubbled in my stomach.
Since the night three weeks ago when I’d finally ejected Marick from my life, we’d been searching for a home. Xavier had scanned the star maps in the ship’s databases, scouring for a planet that was habitable, home to peaceful creatures, and off the Athion and Trad government grids. We’d discussed our next move. What did we want from our new life together?
The guys’ answer had been simple.
No more running. No more fighting.
The guys didn’t want to risk losing me, and although there was a part of me that wanted to fight, find the other one-percenters and save them too, now wasn’t the time. We needed to find our feet. Establish a base, and then maybe we would be able to help others like me.
Vex slipped an arm around me and tucked me into his side. I ran my hand down his chest, lingering over the ridges that made up his abdominal muscles. My body heated at the memory of his mouth on mine and the tip of his tail inside me.
He inhaled, his eyes widening to look down on me with heat. “Fuck, Rogue. I can smell your desire.”
“You’re not the only one,” Tide said tightly.
Lore’s ember eyes were bright, kissing every inch of my exposed skin.
Xavier’s chuckle was hoarse. “This ship is saturated with pheromones right now.”
I ducked my head and tried to rein in my desire. “I got it under control, guys.”
“It’s not exactly a chore to meet your needs,” Lore said softly.
The ship shuddered, and then the stars contracted back to regular pinpricks. We were out of hyperdrive.
There was silence as we all stared at the glorious sight in front of us. Gaini V. A small planet. A quarter of the size of Earth. But it was green and blue, and oh, God, it was ours. There was no other intelligent life. Just cattle-like creatures and a few minor predators.
This was our destination.
My eyes pricked.
Marick was gone, but that didn’t mean the Trad government would just let me go, same with the Athion government. I was a one-percenter. We were rare. But propelling Marick into space had been the catharsis I’d needed. In that moment, I’d felt truly free. Now, maybe, here in the farthest reaches of the galaxy, we could finally find sanctuary. A sanctuary that could one day become home to others like me.
“Take us down, Tide,” Xavier said. “Take us home.”
THE END
If you enjoyed Rogue’s journey and you want more kick-ass fantasy, then check out the rest of Debbie Cassidy’s books. There’s plenty to choose from. Keep on top of Debbie Cassidy’s releases, see teasers and excerpts, and chat in real time in her Facebook Reader Group.
Other books by Debbie Cassidy
The Gatekeeper Chronicles
Coauthored with Jasmine Walt
Marked by Sin
Hunted by Sin
Claimed by Sin
The Witch Blood Chronicles
(Spin-off to the Gatekeeper Chronicles)
Binding Magick
Defying Magick
Embracing Magick
Unleashing Magick
The Fearless Destiny Series
Beyond Everlight
Into Evernight
Under Twilight
The Chronicles of Midnight
Protector of Midnight
Champion of Midnight
Secrets of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Savior of Midnight
Chronicles of Arcana
City of Demons
City of the Lost
City of Everdark
City of War
For the Blood
For the Blood
For the Power
For the Reign
For the Hunt (novella)
Heart of Darkness
Captive of Darkness
Bane of Winter
Fate’s Destiny
Deadworld
Deadworld
Dead City
Dead Sea
Dead End
The Nightwatch Academy
Shadow Caster
Shadow Weaver
Survivor’s Heart (Planet Athion World)
Novella series
Rogue
Rebel
Survivor
The Nightwatch Academy
Shadow Caster
Standalone Novellas
Blood Blade
About the Author
Debbie Cassidy lives in England, Bedfordshire, with her three kids and very supportive husband. Coffee and chocolate biscuits are her writing fuels of choice, and she is still working on getting that perfect tower of solitude built in her back garden. Obsessed with building new worlds and reading about them, she spends her spare time daydreaming and conversing with the characters in her head – in a totally non psychotic way of course. She writes High Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Space Fantasy, and Reverse Harem. Keep on top of Debbie Cassidy’s releases, see teasers and excerpts, and chat in real time in her Facebook Reader Group. Connect with Debbie via her website at debbiecassidyauthor.com or twitter @authordcassidy. Or sign up to her Newsletter to stay in the know about upcoming releases.
Survivor: Survivor’s Heart book 3: Planet Athion Page 10