Polaris Rising

by Jessie Mihalik

  As soon as we entered the medbay, Loch dropped the weapon case and pulled me into his arms. I frowned at him. He chuckled and took my bag and dropped it next to the case. Then he kissed the corner of my mouth. I turned my head away. He pulled back and met my eyes.

  “Ada, don’t be jealous,” he said. “I’m not interested in Scarlett, not like that. She’s like a little sister to me. The only woman I’m interested in is you.”

  Relief flooded through me, but then I remembered that if Loch claimed Scarlett as family, I’d have to be nice to her. I scowled.

  Loch groaned then his mouth slanted over mine. I forgot all about everyone else as I opened in welcome. His tongue plundered my mouth with smooth thrusts and teasing licks. Desire and something deeper, more powerful, fizzed through my blood.

  I pressed closer, mindless. Loch picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I could feel him, hot and hard against me. I grabbed his shoulders and my right hand hit the tackiness of drying blood. That jerked me out of my daze.

  His hand traced a dangerous path up my thigh. “Wait, I need to clean and bandage your wound,” I managed to gasp out. “I don’t even know how badly you’re injured. You shouldn’t be holding me.”

  “It’ll take more than a couple minor wounds to prevent me from holding you,” he growled. “Especially when you’re wearing that dress.” He tried to capture my mouth again but I evaded him.

  “I’m not kissing you while you’re dripping blood. Let me look at your wounds and I promise you can peel me out of this dress later,” I said.

  Loch grumbled but he put me back on my feet. I kissed his jaw. “Thank you,” I said. “Now hop up on the diagnostic table and let’s see what’s going on.”

  He moved to the table and I set the scanner to run a full body diagnostic. For all I knew, he could be hiding injuries other than his shoulder. “I’m going to have to cut off the rest of your shirt,” I said. Bianca had already cut out a section but I needed to see his entire shoulder.

  “If you wanted me naked, darling, you just had to ask,” Loch drawled with a grin.

  I dug around in Rhys’s pristine medbay until I found a pair of scissors. Laser cutters could be a little finicky with blood-soaked cloth, so it was easier to do it manually. I cut away most of the shirt, leaving the section that was stuck to his skin.

  The scanner beeped and I checked the display. I blinked and read it again. “You have a blaster hole in your shoulder,” I said. “Through your shoulder.”

  Loch shrugged. “When the cowards realized their stun bolts didn’t work so well, one of them shot me,” he said.

  “You picked me up when you had a hole through your shoulder,” I reiterated.

  “Bianca triaged it. It’s just a flesh wound and I heal fast.”

  I counted to ten and prayed for patience. When I could speak without yelling, I said, “From now on, if you get injured, even if it’s just a ‘flesh wound,’ you will get it taken care of immediately. You will not go around aggravating the injury further.” Loch looked ready to argue. “Please,” I added, “for me.”

  He grumbled out something that vaguely resembled agreement.

  “Thank you,” I said. I doused the remaining piece of shirt in saline and gently pulled it away from the wound. Bianca had bandaged over the worst of it, but according to the diagnostic, the whole wound needed to be irrigated and slathered in regeneration gel.

  “I’m going to have to remove the bandage,” I said, “and clean out the wound. How do you react to regeneration gel?”

  “Better than you,” he said with a grin.

  Chapter 31

  Ten minutes later, Loch’s shoulder was covered front and back in bandages while the regeneration gel did its thing. I’d used a sterile wipe to clean off some of the blood, but he still needed a shower. And a new shirt—Scarlett was still somewhere on this ship.

  “If you two lovebirds are done playing doctor,” Rhys’s voice said from the overhead speaker, “then get up here and clip in. We’re ready to leave.”

  Loch flipped off the room then slid off the table.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to grab some pain meds, just in case?” I asked again.

  “Regen gel doesn’t incapacitate me,” he said. “It’s tingling and that’s about it.”

  I nodded and picked up my bag. Loch picked up the weapon case before I could grab it. “Don’t even try,” he warned.

  We stopped by the crew quarters on the way up and Loch found a spare shirt. He shrugged it on without so much as a wince, and his delicious chest disappeared under the fabric. My fingers itched to pull it off of him again.

  “Keep looking at me like that and we’re not going to make it upstairs,” Loch said.

  I was tempted, but we needed to leave before the RCDF decided to take drastic measures. I winked at him and left the room. He followed with a growl.

  When we entered the flight deck, I wasn’t surprised to see Scarlett in the captain’s chair. Rhys knew better than to override the captain of the ship, even if he owned said ship. He sat at the navigator’s station and Veronica hovered by his shoulder. An unfamiliar dark-haired man sat in the tactical station.

  “Clip in,” Scarlett said. “Ground control is getting quite insistent that we leave now.” Her hands moved over the controls with confident familiarity.

  Loch and I sat in the extra chairs along the wall. Veronica sat on my other side. She touched my arm. “Are you okay?” she asked.

  Unexpected and unwanted tears flooded my eyes. The one-minute-warning chime sounded throughout the ship, which gave me a moment to compose myself. I blinked rapidly then met her gaze and very slightly shook my head. She squeezed my arm in silent support, then turned her attention back toward the control stations.

  The ship lifted away from the ground. This was the last time I would be on Earth for a very long time. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I refused to break down in front of strangers.

  We settled into orbit and Scarlett stood and turned to me. “We have about six hours before we can jump back to Sedition. How likely are we to be harassed by the RCDF now that you’re on board?”

  “They will leave us alone,” I said. “I’m still a von Hasenberg and I left the planet with permission.”

  She eyed me for a few seconds longer then nodded. “Okay. In that case, I’m going to grab some shut-eye. Unlike this fool”—she jerked a thumb at Rhys—“I’m on Universal and I’ve been up forever. Felix, you’re off duty, too. Get some sleep.”

  The dark-haired crewmate stood. “Yes, Captain,” he said.

  Scarlett turned to Rhys. “Do not let anything happen to my ship,” she said. “I expect her to be in one piece when I wake up.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Rhys said.

  Scarlett narrowed her eyes but didn’t comment. She and Felix left the flight deck together. After the door closed behind them, Rhys said, “Ada, while I’m glad we didn’t have to bust you out, how bad is it?”

  “It’s not great,” I said. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry I involved you, I just didn’t know who else to ask.”

  “You can always come to me for help,” Rhys said gently.

  “And me,” Veronica said. “Rhys tried to leave me behind. See how well it worked for him?”

  The maelstrom of emotions I’d experienced today all decided that now was an excellent time to make a break for it. Tears escaped faster than I could blink them away. I took a shuddering breath and tried to get myself under control.

  Loch picked me up and dragged me into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me. All semblance of control shattered. I hid my tears against his shoulder and gave myself permission to let go for a few minutes. Loch would keep me safe—I knew it down to my bones.

  Loch’s deep voice rolled over me while he told Rhys and Veronica what happened. I blocked out the words and just listened to the vibrations as I slowly pulled myself together. I wiped my eyes as the tears stopped, but I kept my head where it was.
<
br />   “News of your pardon is already hitting the net,” Rhys said to Loch. “They’re spinning it as a reward for protecting Ada from an unnamed threat and returning her to House von Hasenberg.”

  “Good,” I said. “That means they are sticking to the agreement. At least for now.”

  “What is your plan?” Rhys asked.

  I pushed aside the lost, helpless feelings that tried to rise. I was a von Hasenberg, dammit, and we were never helpless, even when the odds were stacked against us. The worse the odds, the harder we fought.

  “First, I need to find us a place to stay on Sedition,” I said.

  “You’re welcome to stay with me while you look,” Rhys said. “In fact, you’re welcome to stay with me indefinitely.” Loch rumbled at him. “Both of you are welcome, of course,” Rhys said with an eye roll.

  “Thank you,” I said. “I’m not feeling particularly loyal to Father at the moment, but my brothers and sisters will still be dragged into the war. I will do what I can either to help them win it or to make it unnecessary.” After all, neither of my agreements prevented me from telling Lord Yamado exactly what Father and Lady Rockhurst were fighting over. I’d have to weigh the pros and cons, but it was at least one option.

  “You’re not going to war for the son of a bitch who banished you,” Loch said.

  “No, I’m not,” I agreed. “I’m going to war for Bianca and my other siblings.”

  After speaking to Rhys and Veronica for a few more minutes, Loch and I returned to the crew quarters where we’d found his shirt. Luckily there were plenty of rooms to go around, so we were alone.

  I sighed in relief as the door closed behind us. We had at least five hours until Jester could jump and I was bone weary. Without fear and adrenaline driving me, I just wanted to collapse.

  “Are you okay?” Loch asked, expression guarded.

  “Yes,” I said slowly, “are you?”

  He paced the short length of the room. “You lost everything because of my stupidity. You should’ve left me,” he said.

  It took me a second to follow his thoughts. Anger sparked, chasing away the fatigue, but I took a deep breath and swallowed the furious words that wanted to escape. We both had issues we needed to work through and this was one of his.

  “Marcus,” I said quietly, “I’m never going to leave you to die if I can do something about it. Just the thought of you dying hurts.”

  “I’m not worth your life,” he said.

  “No, you’re worth so much more. I don’t regret my choice tonight and I would make it a thousand times over. I don’t want to fight about this, but I will if you force me. This is a battle you cannot win. You will never convince me that you’re not worth it.”

  I caught his wrist and drew him close. I gazed up at his gorgeous face. Once I had his attention, I said, “I want you beside me. Please stay with me, Marcus.”

  I glanced away and continued, “I mean, I understand if you don’t want me or my drama anymore. I am troublesome and I don’t see that changing. But please don’t leave because you think you’ll save me from yourself. You’ll break my heart.”

  A gentle hand tipped my face back up to his. His eyes glowed. “I want you,” he said, “more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Never doubt that. You’re so damn loyal and kind and cunning. Watching you slay your foes with that arrogant little tilt of your head makes me hard as a rock. I may not deserve you, but if you stay with me, I’m keeping you.”

  My smile had to be blinding, but I didn’t care. “You’re mine,” I said. I pulled his head down to mine and brushed a featherlight kiss across his lips. “And I’m yours.”

  He groaned and his mouth crashed into mine. I licked his bottom lip then slipped my tongue into his mouth. He sucked on my tongue, sending a bolt of lust straight through my body. I moaned and hooked a leg over his hip, trying to climb him before I remembered he was injured.

  I tried to pull back, but he was already picking me up. “Your shoulder,” I protested between kisses, but I still wrapped my legs around his waist.

  “Is fine,” he said. “You don’t get to escape me twice in one day while wearing my dress.”

  He backed me into the wall and held me in place with his hips. The hard length of him pressed against me, a tease of what was to come. I tightened my legs and undulated against him, but he pinned me more firmly to the wall, stopping my movement.

  “What are you wearing under this?” he asked. My nipples pebbled from the heat in his gaze. “I’ve been imagining it all night.”

  “Why don’t you find out for yourself?” I challenged.

  His right hand slid under my dress and caressed my thigh, then slipped higher to the edge of my underwear. I thanked the stars that I’d worn something sexy for once. His eyes burned hotter as he traced the lacy design with a fingertip. His palm branded my low belly as his fingers dipped under the waistband of my underwear. I tilted my hips in invitation and moaned softly.

  He kissed me slow and deep as his fingers slipped a fraction lower. I whined when he stopped just short of where I wanted him. “I will take care of you,” he promised, his voice rough.

  “Now,” I demanded.

  “Always,” he said. His hand slid down until his fingers glided through the slick heat of my desire. I claimed his mouth in a scorching kiss as he touched me. Desperate to feel his skin, I pulled his shirt up as far as I could and ran my hands over the hard planes of his stomach. His fingers moved faster and I gasped into his mouth, teetering on the brink.

  Wanting to bring him with me, I stroked him through his pants. He hissed out a breath. “Take them off,” he ordered.

  I fumbled the button twice before I got it open. He pulled back enough for me to free him, then he pressed me back into the wall. I could feel his length nudging me through my underwear, even as his fingers continued their maddening circles.

  “How much do you like this underwear?” he asked.

  “I’ll buy more,” I said.

  “Good answer,” he growled. He gripped the delicate lace and pulled it in half. I moaned at the loss of his fingers. I was so close. Then he tilted my hips and buried himself in me.

  The world exploded.

  He worked me through it, then kept going. Languid delight gave way to building desire. He kissed and licked and petted until I once again hovered at the edge of orgasm. When he hit the place that made me see stars, I was determined to take him with me. I pulled his head down for a kiss and clenched around his length. He tensed and his smooth thrusts became erratic as he, too, tipped over into bliss.

  He braced a hand on the wall, breathing hard. “You’ll pay for that,” he said without an ounce of threat. “I had plans for you.” He walked backward to the bed, still buried inside of me. He fell back and took me with him.

  I nestled against his chest, sated and content. “Well, I plan to have my wicked way with you just as soon as I can feel my legs,” I told him. “So you’ll just have to wait.”

  He smoothed his hands down my back and I sighed in contentment. We basked in the afterglow for a few minutes, then Loch rolled onto his side and met my eyes. “What will you do in Sedition?” he asked.

  “After we figure out how to save my siblings from war, I thought we might see if Rhys needed a business partner,” I said, subtly emphasizing the we. “Unless you have something else in mind. I wasn’t kidding when I said I had plenty of money for both of us, but I can’t just sit around. I need something to keep me busy or I’ll drive us both crazy.”

  “I’ve been on the run for so long that I don’t even remember how to be normal,” Loch said.

  “Normal is overrated. If we go into business with Rhys, you would make a kickass smuggler,” I said. “Or you would be a fantastic mercenary, though I don’t recommend that route so much.” I caressed his cheek. “I don’t care what we do,” I said, “as long as we’re doing it together.”

  Loch pulled me close and tucked me against his chest, under his chin. “I’m afraid you’re n
ot getting rid of me now, darling,” he said. “You’re mine. And I’m all yours.”

  “Good,” I said around a jaw-cracking yawn. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Sleep, Ada. I’ve got you,” he said.

  As I snuggled safely in Loch’s arms, exhaustion crept up on soft feet. Tomorrow I would endeavor to win a war I wanted no part of, but for right now, in this one perfect moment, I was exactly where I wanted to be.

  Acknowledgments

  A story only requires an author, but a book requires a team. I’d like to thank the following people who helped turn my story into a book.

  Thanks to my agent, Sarah E. Younger, who believed in Ada and Loch’s story when it was just a blurb and a beginning. Thanks for your tireless work and for patiently answering a million newbie questions!

  I am deeply grateful to my editor, Tessa Woodward, for her expert guidance and editorial advice. Thank you for helping me deliver the best story possible! I’d also like to thank assistant editor Elle Keck and the rest of the team at Harper Voyager for their help.

  Thanks to Lisa Silverman, the copyeditor responsible for eradicating the pesky typos I missed.

  My heartfelt gratitude to Ilona and Andrew Gordon for their invaluable help and advice as I navigate the strange new world of being a published author.

  Thanks to Whitney Bates, Patrick Ferguson, and Tracy Smith for reading the early drafts of the story, offering feedback, and generally listening to me whine.

  And finally, my deepest love and appreciation to my husband, Dustin, who encouraged me to pursue my dream of writing even when I didn’t always believe in myself. You have no idea how much your support means to me. I love you!

  Announcement

  Bianca and Ian’s epic adventure is coming Fall 2019.

  Be prepared.

  About the Author

  JESSIE MIHALIK has a degree in computer science and a love of all things geeky. A software engineer by trade, Jessie now writes full time from her home in Texas. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing co-op video games with her husband, trying out new board games, or reading books pulled from her overflowing bookshelves. Visit her at www.jessiemihalik.com.