by Shae Mills
She refocused on him. “You could say so,” she whispered.
“You want to tell me about him?”
“Why do you assume it is a man?”
Braedon’s lip quirked. “If I may be so bold, it strikes me that you could leave quite the trail of destruction in your wake.”
Chelan feigned offense. “I leave no such wake. I am innocent of all accusations.”
“Uh-huh, and I am the Lord God Emperor himself.”
Chelan shoved at him playfully. “Ugh. You say I speak untruths?”
Braedon poked her back, pushing his finger into her shoulder. “I do!”
Chelan grabbed his hand and took his thumb, bending it back forcefully.
Braedon yelped and yielded to her pressure. “All right. I concede to your dominance. There is not a man out there who would even look at you sideways.”
Chelan laughed and then slapped at him. Braedon caught her hands and yanked her to him. Then he twisted her and put her on her back. He drew her arms above her head and pinned her lower body by placing his thigh over her. He took several deep breaths as he looked down into her bright eyes. “But I am not one of those men.”
Chelan continued to smile at him, finding his move not the least bit threatening. Quite the contrary: despite his obvious intention and his nakedness, she knew from all their time together thus far that he would be as respectful of her as her men had been. “I said I wanted to learn everything about you,” she said, “but this is a little fast.”
Braedon took a moment to drink in all her beautiful features. “Okay. I will slow down.” And he grinned. “Regardless, I would love to teach you everything about me. But first, I wish to learn about you… all of you.”
Chelan laughed. “Hang on a second—I have some questions first.” She bit her lip. “No girlfriend back home?”
“Not at the moment.”
Chelan smiled. “Your people, are they monogamous? Do you have the Let?”
His fingers entwined themselves in her soft hair as he studied her lustrous locks. “No Let. Simple pair bonds, if children are desired. And no expectations of fidelity exist unless agreed upon.”
Chelan felt tingles go through her whole body. “On my planet, some say variety is the spice of life.”
Braedon traced his fingers over her cheeks. “Some people are wise. What do the rest say?”
Chelan grimaced. “You don’t want to know.”
Braedon smiled and sat up, releasing her. “My culture is like that of the North. We are at ease in our intimate sharing. But if you are not, I will not approach you. You have come here to escape. I will not make you feel threatened.”
Chelan rose. “I do not feel threatened by you.” She studied his obsidian eyes. “We come from very different cultures, yes, but I want to learn much about you and your family. However, as far as anything more… I am afraid that even though it has been a very long time since I have had the intimate company of a man, I am just not ready.”
Braedon nodded. He reached for her face and ran a finger down her cheek and along her jaw, admiring her quietly. “You know, if you stay, I will share with you a wealth of knowledge about myself, the lands of the South, and everything I know about this planet.”
“You are making a nearly irresistible argument.”
Braedon smiled as his fingers moved back to her hair. He traced a strand to the end and then stared at the lock he held. “If you stay, we could even work together.” He looked into her eyes expectantly.
Chelan would have normally been plagued by indecision, but instead, she felt almost tranquilized by the man before her. Here he was, in her serene caverns, offering her friendship and companionship away from all the war and strife of the Empire. She had embraced the caverns before, even though the raw isolation left her wanting for so much more. But here, now, with him, maybe her life could be just that much more complete.
Braedon finally spoke again. “You can have as much time alone as you wish. You can stay here when I need return to the South for a bit, or you may accompany me. I will stay here as much as you wish, or I will stay away as much as you wish. I have no obligations anywhere. I have contact with my family at any time I desire. I merely surface to communicate with them.”
“You offer me a lot for being a complete stranger who just dropped in on you out of the blue a couple of weeks ago.”
Braedon chuckled. “Maybe so, but I learn quickly, and I can tell you are a very bright and amazing woman. I would be a fool not to want to be in your company.” Then he shrugged. “And we have options if we end up finding out we are not compatible over time.”
Chelan smiled. Her decision was easy. “Yes, there are options. Our time together thus far has been pleasing indeed. If you are being honest that I am not interfering with you personally or professionally, I will stay.”
Braedon’s eyes twinkled, and he released her hair. “I would like that very much,” he whispered. “I told you a bit about our culture and our ease,” he added, “but I will never do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Our personal relationship is in your hands.”
“I appreciate that, Braedon.” She hesitated, looking over his warm features. “I have had a complicated life when it comes to men…” She thought about each and every one of her loves, all lost so long ago. “But if you are okay with me being here with you as a friend, for now, I would be more than happy to hang around.”
“You just made me a very happy man. Your presence here will ease my long days and make my heart glad.” And he reached for her, hugging her tight.
Chelan hugged him back, melting against him with renewed hope and joy. But as soon as her optimism soared, she felt every muscle in his body grow rigid. He instantly drew back from her. A pit formed in her stomach as she watched his eyes travel from her to a point beyond. The shock that registered on his face tore the wind from her lungs. Her head snapped around, and she beheld the ominous ebony shroud that stood at the cavern entrance. “Oh shit,” she gasped. She grabbed for her protective shroud and clutched it to her, just as Braedon sprang to his feet with knife in hand.
Chelan’s eyes darted between the two men. Then she became very still as the devil himself withdrew his hood.
Braedon acknowledged him. “Talon,” he snarled.
Talon took a step forward, and Chelan witnessed the unprecedented rage that consumed the Emperor’s features. His scathing gaze cut holes in Braedon. Chelan knew that look, and she instantly lurched to her feet. She stepped in front of Braedon and faced Talon defiantly.
Talon took one more step and then drew out a large lazgun. Slowly, he raised it and took a bead on his quarry’s head. Chelan gasped and dropped to her knees, clutching her shroud to her chest. “Please. No, my Lord! I will do anything you ask. Please do not harm him.”
Braedon was fiercely protective of the woman in front of him. But he also knew his limitations. And worse yet, he knew all too well who he faced. His odds were grim. He knew he could not even flinch without meeting his end. The fragile alien before him was now his only hope.
Talon’s aim remained true while his attention trailed off the man and onto Chelan. He watched as every fiber of her being trembled with capitulation.
Her eyes pleaded with his. “I am sorry, my Lord. This whole innocent encounter was of my making. Please, I beg of you, spare him.” But she saw no change in Talon’s wrath. She looked back at Braedon. “I am sorry I jeopardized your life. I would have never come here if I had known this would happen.”
Braedon glanced at her. “It is okay, Chelan. I hold no malice toward you for this. My offer of a life here with me still stands.”
Chelan struggled to her feet. She swayed, barely able to remain upright, her world spinning. “Please, my Lord,” she pleaded once again. “I will do anything you wish. Just spare him.”
Talon’s own head was spinning. The naked Southerner was with his woman. He had witnessed their embrace and obvious display of affection, and thoughts of what else they may have s
hared ripped his heart from his chest. Though his rage and pain dictated that he blast the man before him to oblivion, he knew that would also kill the very creature he had come to love and recover. The dilemma before him caused him to hesitate, another unfamiliar and vile state of being.
Chelan finally clutched at her head as a throbbing pain hitting her. She sank back to her knees. “I want to be alone!” she cried. “I don’t want any more pain. I don’t want any more death. I don’t want anyone else to die because of me!”
Talon’s lungs began to labor. So many feelings were mauling him at once that he felt deranged.
Braedon cautiously inched toward the fallen woman, his eyes never leaving Talon’s. Though the Emperor kept his gun trained on him, Talon made no move to hinder his approach. Braedon finally set his knife down and reached a hand to her. As his fingers kissed her back, she cowered from him.
Talon shook his head, trying to dislodge the vise-like grip indecision had on him. “Chelan,” he called in a gravel whisper. “You come now, and I spare your man.”
Chelan strove to catch her breath, her lungs burning. She looked to the ground in front of her as she tried to clear the acrid tears from her eyes. Then she felt around for her uniform. Methodically, with trembling hands, she shed Braedon’s tunic and encased herself within the Imperial garb. When she was dressed, her eyes finally found Braedon. She winced at the distress plainly written on his face. “By leaving, I grant you your life,” she told him.
Braedon’s voice caught. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Chelan took several breaths. “Then you would lose all.”
Braedon’s chest rose and fell deeply. Finally, he found his voice again. “I understand. It is best for now that you go.” He nodded to her. “But I will be here always if you should ever need me.”
Chelan looked up at Talon with heavy eyes, and she watched with relief as he lowered the gun. Then he whirled around and left the cavern. Chelan flew into Braedon’s arms. “I am so sorry,” she whimpered.
Braedon squeezed her as tight as he dared. “It is okay. Neither of us could have anticipated this.”
Chelan drew back, her finger tracing his jaw. “I know what I want. I want to be with you, here, to learn more about you, and to share this quiet life with you.” Her fingers brushed over his lips. “I do not wish to leave you, but I must. You must have life. And I will find solace in the fact that I know you are well and are here for me, should I be able to return.”
Braedon nodded. “If you should return and find me gone, know that it is only momentary.”
Chelan nodded and took a step back. But Braedon grabbed her hand and pulled her close. He looked lovingly into her dark eyes. “Trust my words. If you come back to me, our shared time together will be so good.”
Chelan clasped a hand over her mouth. “Yes,” she uttered. “Of that, I have no doubt. I trust my Southern man.” And she reached for his long, ebony hair. She watched as her fingers traced though it once. Then she stepped back, letting it fall against his sun-baked skin. Unable to look at him again, she grabbed her shroud and weapons and ran out of the chamber.
Chapter 19
Chelan had forgotten her light, and she scrambled along the pitch-black tunnel, stumbling and falling several times. But the physical pain could never compare to the emotional. Her heart was once again in tatters at Talon’s hands, and she hated the cold barbarian just that much more. He had lied to her. He had granted her her freedom, but within a couple of short weeks, he had stripped her of it. Suddenly, she found herself furious at herself for not having sunk her second blade deep into his icy heart—though it would undoubtedly have been a difficult feat, nearly impossible, given his heart’s minuscule size.
After what seemed an eternity, Chelan burst into the primary cavern, but Talon was already through it. She wiped her tangled hair away from her face and took a moment to catch her breath. Then she headed through the cave and up the main tunnel, passing once again through the familiar rock ice interface. She turned around briefly, half hoping to see Braedon, but she knew it was not to be. After whispering good-bye, she climbed up the ice tunnel, carefully watching her step.
At the surface, she shielded her eyes and scanned the horizon. There behind her was Talon, waiting patiently beside the Imperial fighter. Chelan hauled herself out of the tunnel and then cringed. Somewhere in the turmoil and her hasty retreat, she had also forgotten her face shield, and the icy air instantly burned her unprotected face. She pulled the hood of her shroud over her head and ran for the fighter. Talon instantly caged her in the cockpit. She yanked her helmet on and then let her head fall back. Normally, she would have been ecstatic about a ride in the plane, but today it was nothing more than a hearse, delivering her lifeless body back to its grave.
The trip seemed to take forever. Finally, the fighter nestled into the private hangar. Chelan unhooked herself and tossed her helmet to the floor between her legs. She rose out of the cockpit but then hesitated. Talon stood below her, his features grim, his arms outstretched to her. She glared at him for a time, before silently accepting his help. Once she was on the ground, he released her and turned toward the connecting corridor.
Chelan followed him quietly, shuddering to think what was going to happen once she was alone with him in the private Command Center. In no time, they were there, and the doors sealed behind them. Talon stood motionless at the top of the stairs. Chelan walked down past him and then turned to face him. She drew back her hood, prepared to do battle.
Talon studied her warily. “I am sorry, little one.”
Chelan raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Sorry?” she gasped. “You bastard! You lied. You gave me my freedom, but now you jail me once again!” Chelan braced for his raging rebuttal, but it was not forthcoming.
Instead, Talon hung his head. “It is not as it seems, my Lady.” He looked back to her. “You are not confined here. You may leave after you have heard me out.”
Chelan placed her hands on her hips. “Okay, speak.”
Talon took a deep breath. “I have had this time alone without you, and I have used it to think about us. I have talked with Lethiason and have spoken to myself. And through it all, I have come to one inescapable conclusion.”
Chelan waited expectantly.
“I have finally admitted my love for you, my Lady. I have succumbed to it, and I profess it to you. I went to bring you back in hopes that you will forgive me and give me a chance to make everything up to you, and to show you my devotion.”
Chelan was speechless. This was the last thing she had expected. She wavered as hundreds of questions flooded into her mind. But her anger outweighed her shock. “You just stripped me of another one I cared for, and you expect me to give you a second chance?”
Talon took a step forward. “No. You have not lost your man of the South. All I ask is that you ponder my words. If you wish to return to him after this, I will deliver you to the caverns, passing you into his arms myself.”
Chelan was aghast. “After all you put me through in the past, and now this, how can you have the audacity to expect me to accept you?”
Talon was quiet for a moment. “I have treated you abominably, possibly worse than necessary, simply because I needed to distance myself from you. And yes, I am guilty of killing all you have loved. But that was done purely for the military succession. I killed my brother to become Emperor, not because of you. His death would have come regardless. And yes, I used you in the beginning. But that is over.”
Chelan shook her head at him incredulously. “You think taking Korba out was your biggest affront against me?”
Talon sighed. “You need not remind me of all I have stripped you of. But now, I offer you my Empire… and myself. I seek no more wars with you. I will not hurt you again. I entreat your forgiveness for everything, especially the things I cannot change. And I seek the chance to love you as easily and as well as my brother did.”
“But I do not love you—not even close.”
Chelan was now mute. She watched in stunned silence as he approached her slowly. He took her hand and placed a small device in it. “When you have made up your mind, page me anywhere, anytime.” And he turned to leave.
“Talon,” she called. He turned to her. Chelan held her breath, and then she spoke. “I don’t need time.” She steeled herself. “I want to go back to the caverns now.”
Talon stared at her in silence. Chelan squinted, almost sure she could detect an aura of defeat about him. But that was surely impossible.
His chest began to labor. “Why?” he asked quietly, his face contorted. “Why would you throw your life away in those caverns?”
“Because I want serenity! I want deliverance from death and pain. I want peace.”
“I will give that to you! No more killing. No more pain.”
“That is impossible within the Empire.”
“It is possible within my arms!”
Chelan felt her breathing becoming erratic. His words were penetrating her armor, but she sought to stop them. She could never care for Korba’s killer, and she lashed out at him once again. “My peace will come in a place far from here. My security will be through Braedon and the people of the South!”
Talon clenched his fists and descended the stairs to where she stood. “I went to those caverns to profess my love to you. I went there to beg for forgiveness and for your hand. Instead, I stood silently in the shadows and watched as another man embraced you and offered himself to you, an act I alone wanted to make. And it tore my heart out to think of all the other acts you may have shared with him, acts I wish to share with you. And through it all, in the end, I allowed your man to live.”
“Why, thank you. That was very gracious of you,” Chelan uttered sarcastically.
Talon contained himself. His voice suddenly softened. “All I ask for is a chance to prove to you that I am not the vile, devil creature you believe me to be.”