“I know.” Kendra leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. She looked at Azros. From the depths of her gaze, infinite sadness and regret pierced his heart. “The T’oatha Balleh is an ancient ritual of our people. Skreeta follows the old ways.”
Azros clenched his fists against his body. “She uses torture for pleasure. Her sociopathic tendencies led to the murder of my crew’s mates. I can’t imagine this T’oatha Balleh is a tea party.” Azros spoke quietly, but his voice carried throughout the room. Kendra reached out to him, touching his arm. That small touch did more for his helpless fury than anything else could have. He covered her hand with his.
Kendra turned back to Shyla. “Does she still believe my family wanted the throne?”
“More than anything. She also believes that the blood spilled here on this planet cursed the queen with dementia. The only way to purify the line is through combat.”
Kendra looked at Destiny. “She’s going to know I’m alive. I’d rather face her head-on than wait for death from the shadows. This has to end. Now.” Azros agreed, but he planned to have Kendra far away by the time everything went down.
Destiny nodded. She looked up at Reeva. “I want all personnel scanned for circuitry, but be discreet.”
Reeva nodded. “Yes ma’am.” She gave Kendra a nod that she returned.
“One more thing,” Destiny called to Reeva.
Reeva stopped.
“Until this situation is resolved, Chief St. Thomas is off duty. You’ll be taking on her roles and responsibilities.”
Kendra gasped. Her cheeks blushed crimson. He could see the carefully reined in fury.
Reeva looked at Kendra. Kendra gave a slight nod and Reeva left.
Destiny looked at Kendra. “Your face is known by her people.”
“I can’t just sit around and wait for the next assassin. What the hell am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
“That’s easy.” Destiny smiled. “We have to make room for the Sheon Ambassador’s visit.”
Kendra’s expression grew thoughtful. “The local Sheon Ambassador would have a security team with her.”
Destiny nodded. “It’s the only way I’m going to let this go on. We’ll start the ball rolling on my territory. I won’t let her take you.”
Kendra clenched her jaw and nodded. “Roger that.” Azros couldn’t fight the sense of relief Destiny had just provided him. Ambassadors have bodyguards, and he needed to stay close to her.
Destiny’s gaze zeroed in on Azros. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that we are far more than just a brothel, Azros. There is a solid mission of territorial peace that I will enforce, but I won’t force my people into a slaughter. If you can come up with a viable plan for the rescue of your people, one that both Jackson and I approve, I’ll let any volunteer come with you.” She gestured around the room. “All security personnel in this room have been individually briefed. You’ll have your pick from them so memorize their faces.”
Azros nodded. It was the best he was going to get.
“I’ll give you limited access to David. He may be able to help you, as well.”
Azros gave a small bow. “Thank you, Mistress Destiny.”
Mase stepped up. “I’ll take him, ma’am.”
Destiny nodded. Mase looked to Kendra, and she nodded.
Azros tucked a finger under Kendra’s chin, lifting it. His mouth descended. Her eyes closed. When his lips touched hers, her mouth opened with a sigh. Their tongues met with a long-denied need. He stroked and teased, then gently ended the kiss. “I believe we have unfinished business.” He brushed his lips against hers.
Kendra’s eyes fluttered back open. “I’m looking forward to it.”
So was he, but he couldn’t help but feel there was an undercurrent of something dark in Kendra’s words.
Chapter Ten
Kendra watched him leave, couldn’t tear her gaze away from the way he walked. The quiet way he moved.
The rest of the crew was dismissed, and now Kendra faced a ghost in her past. Destiny sat in a chair, and they followed her lead. For a moment, she wished Azros was with her. His strength would be a balm against the living nightmare of her past.
“You have questions.” Shyla adjusted her robe. It was a robe Kendra recognized. Destiny Palace guests used them to remain discreet.
“Why are you here?” Kendra remembered the darkest day of her life, and the shining moment when a little girl had left her a knife. That little girl had grown into a woman. Was she willing to go the distance to end this once and for all?
“I’m on this planet because my mother believes others are plotting against her. It is my job to scout out any potential threat and report it.”
“Are you going to do that?” Destiny asked the question with an icy calm.
“No. I am here to stop a war.” Shyla shifted in her seat. “She wants everything, Kendra, and will stop at nothing to get it.” Stark sadness swelled in the depths of her gaze. Kendra wasn’t buying it. “You have no idea what she has done to the Valorians who were unable to escape with Azros. It’s horrific. The things she’s done…” Shyla shook her head. “The things I’ve had to do…” Her throat grew dry with emotion. “I should have stopped this a long time ago.”
Kendra didn’t want to be swayed by her cousin’s words, but found her heart opening. You’re such a fool. Blindly trusting your blood, just like your parents. “How can you move around down here? Won’t your mother suspect?”
“I appealed to her paranoia, mentioned an unsettling feeling I had about a few of the people here. I wanted to investigate and she gave me leave to do so. I’m already overdue with my report.” Shyla looked from Kendra to Destiny. “So what should I say?”
Destiny leaned back in the chair, seemingly completely at ease. “Tell her everything.” She steepled her fingers. “Tell her that Kendra is alive, and that all her worst fears are coming true. Appeal to her paranoia. If we can get her off the ship, maybe your Azros will have a chance.”
Destiny had a plan, but Kendra had one of her own. So far, they followed the same path. “I hope you’re right.” Kendra linked her fingers and pressed them against her stomach. “I hope both of you are right, otherwise we’re all going to die.”
“No one knows the risks better than I do.” Shyla stood and bowed to them both. “If this is going to work, I’ll have to rush back to the ship.” She looked at Destiny, assessing her. “I, too, hope you know what you’re doing. She is ruthless.” She pulled the hood up, hiding her face.
Destiny nodded. “So do I.” Her smile sent chills down Kendra’s spine.
They watched her cousin exit. The door closed and Destiny finally let her mask slip. Worry and anxiety crossed her face. She regarded Kendra. “This is quite a mess, my friend.”
“You didn’t tell me about Shyla.”
Destiny’s gaze was steady. “It was the only way to keep you safe. I knew about the escape pods the moment they jettisoned from the Calypso.”
“Why send me on the rescue missions then, if they were abused by the Sheon?”
“Shyla’s arrival always followed a drop. We’ve been smuggling out refugees through the mining consortium.” She sighed. “I couldn’t risk you two finding each other. Skreeta was becoming too dangerous, too paranoid.”
Kendra nodded. Some of it made sense, yet it still stunk of betrayal.
Destiny rolled her neck and slouched back in the chair. “What happens next?”
Kendra mimicked her friend. “A T’oatha Balleh is going to be called. It’s known as a blood feud, and determines who continues the royal line. Our people are tempered by blood.”
“By blood? Well, that’s completely barbaric.”
Kendra laughed at her shocked response. “It’s our way. If I challenge, I get choice of weapons and she picks the location.”
Destiny considered the possibilities. “And if you challenge?”
Kendra shrugged. “The opposite. She gets weapons, we get location.”
/> The twinges of a smile touched her lips. “I like that you said ‘we’. If she chooses location, you’ll die.”
“Either way I could die. I’d rather have tactical advantage, though.” Kendra sighed and tapped her fingers on the chair arm. “So she’ll have to challenge me. Well, that’s going to be a pain.” Kendra considered the possibilities. “It would have to be a public place, a place where witnesses can’t be silenced.”
Destiny met Kendra’s gaze. “Are you sure you can take her?”
Kendra laughed a bitter and near-desperate laugh. “It’s the only way I can ensure Azros and his people have a chance. The longer I keep her off the ship, the more time they’ll have to do what needs to be done. I’ve been training for this moment for most of my life. The truth is…I should have done this years ago.”
“You would fight to the death over a man?” Destiny’s voice held some raw emotion Kendra couldn’t interpret.
Over just any man? No. Over Azros? Kendra closed her eyes. How could any man get under her skin in such a short time? Yes, if it came down to it. Kendra pushed that thought away before it could show on her face.
Kendra shook her head. “No. I would fight to the death for the right to live free. His people, my people, me…she would see the galaxy burn and think it beautiful. The insanity has to stop.”
A light came into Destiny’s eye…the kind of glow that meant trouble. “I have an idea. Let me work my end, and you take care of yours.” She stood with her mask slipped firmly back into place. “Get your best dress ready. We’re going to have ourselves a party.”
* * * * *
Kendra walked across the stark floor, wishing for a carpet or rug to offset the obscene chill against her bare feet. They had a plan, sort of, and Kendra wondered if she could actually pull it off. Azros’ life depended on it. Hell, her life depended on it. She dropped her jacket on the back of a chair, continuing to the bedroom.
She found Azros lying on the bed…naked. All thoughts of cold feet and death shredded into the mist of her mind. All she had was the Valorian. It would always be him. The pounding of her heart increased. Her gaze devoured his body. He was magnificent. The stripes along his skin emphasized every sculpted muscle in his body. His mouthwatering cock was engorged, ready. Her pussy clenched in greedy supplication. She wanted him. Just him. She tightened her hands into fists, biting back the need to run to the man.
He sighed. “You are so stubborn.” He pushed up and turned, dropping his feet to the ground. “You waited too long.” His hand reached out, palm up. “We both did.”
She couldn’t stop herself from moving to him, any more than she could stop breathing. His hand engulfed hers, tugging her between his spread legs. Fingers dragged her shirt up. Cool air brushed her skin.
“I’m not insane like last time.” The overstimulated raging inferno had engulfed her. It had been terrifying.
His mouth pressed against her stomach, and she slid her fingers through his hair. The brush of his breath against her skin warmed and soothed her. His tongue licked a burning path around her navel.
“Last time you went feral. That’s something I should have seen coming, should have been able to stop.” The spice of his scent surrounded them. Kendra dragged in one greedy breath after another. She could almost taste him on her tongue. He kissed the underside of her breast. “I’m sorry.”
Kendra cupped his head and brushed her lips against his sinfully soft hair. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
His tongue licked up her breast, flicking across the nipple. “I’ve missed your touch.”
“It’s only been a few hours.” Eternity.
“Too long.” His words echoed her thoughts. He kissed her with possessive intent until they were both moaning.
He gripped her long hair, tugging her head back. The relief from his touch nearly crippled her. She dragged in breath after breath as if she had been suffocating. His arms surrounded her.
He dragged her off her feet and twisted them around until she was on the coverlet. His body pressed against hers. She arched against him, legs opened, locking around his hips.
This felt so right. “What are you doing to me?”
The hard length of his cock pressed against the sensitive vee of her thighs. “The same thing you’re doing to me.” Volatile emotion churned with dark lust in the depths of his gaze.
His mouth descended. The touch of his lips sizzled her nerve endings. He licked and tasted. Teeth nipped, while his talented, rough tongue soothed.
“Will I get a cat’s tongue?”
Azros growled against her skin. “I don’t think so.” His teeth scraped against her throat.
She moaned. “That’s too bad.” His tongue licked the mark he’d given her. A pulse fire of pleasure shot to her core. She cried out. Damn that was sensitive.
“I like yours just the way it is.” He kissed her again, suckling on her tongue.
She moaned, palming the hot length of his cock. Her fingers stroked, and he whispered words in a lilting language she couldn’t understand. He gently thrust, and his cock moved smoothly back and forth in her hand. Her thumb brushed a tiny bead of pre-cum around the head.
He groaned. “Your touch drives me insane.”
Powerful, calloused caresses whipped her body into a mass of electric sensation. Masterful hands tore the clothes from her body. Lips swallowed her gasp of surprise. Clever fingers delved into her moist heat, fucking her with skill that left her breathless. Her eyes burned with unshed tears. His touch was so good. She caressed the head of his cock. “It’s not enough.” It will never be enough. “More.”
He spread her thighs and flicked his fingers inside. Pleasure spiked at every thrust, every twist of his fingers. Orgasm rose like a storm.
“Not yet.” His heated whisper sent chills of pleasure down her spine. He withdrew his fingers, and Kendra couldn’t stop the desperate cry from escaping. “Shh. It’s okay. Just stay with me a little longer.”
The head of his cock pressed against her pussy. His hands gripped her hips. With one stroke he thrust deep into the greedy recesses of her body, impaling her with his hard length. They both cried out.
Kendra arched against him. The pleasure. Oh fate, the pleasure.
He began to move, hard, intense strokes that stole her breath. Tension built and Kendra cried out, “Please!” She was so close.
Her fingers plunged into his hair, dragging his mouth down for a kiss. His teeth nipped at her lips.
His thrusts became harder, more erratic. She could feel his cock swelling. A final thrust sent her over the edge. Ecstasy crashed through her body in a brazen thunderstorm. He followed her over, the pulsing of his cock sending her body into small aftershocks of pleasure.
He dropped his head to her shoulder as their breathing returned to normal. With a groan, he rolled them over, draping her over his body. Her head settled against his chest where his heartbeat was a steady, comforting sound against the whirlwind in her mind. He gently slid his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp in tiny circles.
She ran her fingers along the stripes on his chest. The velvet smoothness of the skin fascinated her.
“You’re going to take the ship, aren’t you?” Kendra continued her caresses.
Azros sighed. “Yes.”
“What happens if this frenzy thing happens when you’re not around?”
His fingers clenched in her hair, and she heard his low growl. “That’s not going to happen.”
“How do you know?”
He tugged gently until she could stare deep into his eyes. “I wouldn’t be able to leave you if it was a danger. It would be impossible to separate us.”
“Are you sure?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
“You have a plan?” Kendra tried not to be irritated at his one-syllable reply. She wasn’t sure, damn him.
“A detailed one, with several backup scenarios. Your Destiny is very thorough, and Jackson is a brilliant tactician. They’ve set m
e on a good path.” He was hedging. “This isn’t the first time I’ve had to do something like this, Kendra. It comes with the territory. It is part of my job.”
Kendra tried not to imagine what they’d come up with. She couldn’t risk him delving too deep into her own plan, so she bit her tongue to keep her questions locked tight. Kendra spread her palm against his chest. His heart pounded against her touch. Would she ever get used to the different textures between stripes and skin? The scars on his body were ones of a warrior. He would survive. “Who will you take?”
“Destiny loaned me Jackson. Mase volunteered. There are about seven or eight others. You saw them all at the meeting.”
Kendra nodded, somewhat satisfied. Jackson was a master strategist, and Mase was made of tougher skin. Literally. “How long will you need for the success of the plan?”
“Once we get off the ground and into position…three hours, max. It’s get in and get out. Nothing fancy.”
“Is Reeva coming with you?”
“She’s staying behind to keep the pleasure machine running.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Her words, not mine. A small team is necessary to infiltrate the ship and take back my people.” He sighed. “I can’t take you with me, Kendra. I won’t risk you, not for anything.”
Was he trying to convince her or himself? She didn’t tell him the distraction they’d planned for Skreeta was Kendra. By the way he acted, she knew Destiny hadn’t informed him either. They needed him focused on the mission. No distractions.
“The only thing missing is how we’ll get Skreeta and her death squad off the ship.”
Kendra’s stomach flipped in cold, stark fear at what was coming. “Destiny has that covered.”
“What does she have in mind?”
Kendra didn’t want to tell him. She knew he would stay if she did. He needed to keep his focus on his mission. This was their only chance to free his people, and by fate, she’d keep her side of the bargain. “I guess we’ll find out soon.”
“Destiny tells me she’s smuggling you off-planet.” Azros brushed his fingers along her jawline. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
PrimalHunger Page 15