Royal Obsession

by Friberg, Cyndi

  His gaze landed on one of the men slumped against the opposite wall. Curly blond hair drew his attention, and the man’s unusual clothing made him stare. This man was not from the world below. In fact this was the man who had been kissing Echo the night she was captured.

  Kicking out with his bound feet, Varrik jarred the blond’s boots. With a throaty moan, the man shook his head and opened his eyes.

  “What’s your name?” Varrik asked.

  It took a moment for the blond to figure out who had spoken. “Where am I?”

  “I have no idea, but you’re the only one in this room I don’t know.”

  Little by little, the other men regained consciousness. Varrik waited for the blond to answer, but he remained silent, his turquoise gaze assessing.

  “What’s going on, Commander?” Bryant asked. Despite the fact that he had replaced Bemzire, the lad was likable.

  “Does anyone remember being captured?” Varrik asked to the room at large. No one did. “We all have something in common, except for you.” He returned his attention to the blond. “How did a royal bodyguard end up with us?”

  The man’s eyes narrowed with speculation. “I’m not a royal bodyguard. What made you think I was?”

  “Your tongue was down the throat of one of the princesses when we—” Bryant muttered a curse and looked at Varrik. “Sorry, sir. I’ve always had a big mouth.”

  Varrik studied the blond as Bryant’s slip registered. Fury filled his gaze and he jerked against his restraints. “Where is she, you bastard?” the man snarled. “If you’ve so much as touched her, I’ll—”

  “Now that’s interesting. We captured two women that night, but you only seem concerned about one.”

  “Are they on this ship, too?”

  “How do you know this is a ship?”

  “I recognize the vibration.” The subtle smirk curving his lips hinted at a deeper meaning.

  “My name is Varrik. I returned the royal twins to their parents.” He ignored Bryant’s gasp. “The situation we find ourselves in now has nothing to do with that incident.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Because I was with Echo and Saebin when I was captured. We were in the process of averting a war.”

  A long pause followed. The blond stared at him as hushed comments passed up and down the line of hunters.

  “What war?” Bryant asked, appointing himself spokesman for the others.

  “Elder South was ready to move against Elder North. South intended to use the royal twins as an excuse to escalate hostilities.”

  “That’s been brewing for longer than I can remember,” someone near the end of the row muttered.

  “We fought for the House of Joon during the Great Conflict. We’ve been enslaved by the elders ever since.” Varrik paused for effect before adding, “Is anyone else tired of bowing to laws that only benefit a few?”

  “You sound just like your brother,” Bryant told him.

  Varrik met his gaze directly, his tone unapologetic. “Sekall was right. The age of Shadow Assassins is past. We need to join the world above.”

  “My name is Lor, but I have no idea what I’m doing here.”

  “Do you remember anything about your capture?”

  “I was in the forest where you snatched Echo, searching for anything the others might have missed. I knew it was futile, but I had to do something.”

  “You’re a Mystic?” Varrik asked.

  “Master Level mage.”

  “What are your abilities?”

  Lor tried to hide his smirk and failed. “I can manipulate fire.”

  “You’re a pyrokin?” Bryant sounded inordinately interested.

  “How is catching the room on fire going to better our situation?” Varrik asked.

  With a secretive smile, Lor gaze off into the distance. “Master Tal is still teaching me to control it.” He pulled his hands in front of him. The restraints were still hooked to the wall. “Shapeshifting runs in my family, too.”

  Chapter Twelve

  If he puts that thing in my mouth, I swear to the gods of the Day Moon, I’ll bite it off!

  That doesn’t sound like a happy thought, Saebin responded.

  Echo closed her eyes, afraid the Rodyte would read relief in her eyes. Can you turn him off from there? I really don’t want this to go any further.

  You know I can’t launch a pulse unless I can see the target. Hang in there and keep this link open. I’m on my way.

  “You don’t like the idea?” He traced her lips with his finger. Dear god, she hoped it was his finger! “So, make me a better offer?”

  Forcing her revulsion to the back of her mind, she opened her eyes. “How about if I do both of you at the same time? Have you ever shared a woman like that? I’m told it’s so tight you feel like you’re inside a virgin.”

  The Linusian groaned and rubbed the growing bulge in the front of his pants as he waited for the Rodyte to reply. They’d have to release her. What she’d suggested couldn’t be done with her body secured in this position.

  “Why would you rather do us both than suck me off and be done with it?”

  “Because you’ll want more. Men always want more.”

  The Rodyte chuckled, running his finger from her chin, along the side of her neck, and into the valley between her breasts. “At this speed, it will take us eight days to reach Rodymia. If you keep us entertained until then, I’ll ransom you.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  “I’ll make you available to anyone who wants you and then sell you to slavers.”

  “Gee, let me think.”

  “Have her suck us off so we know she’s going to behave,” the Linusian suggested in a tight, anxious voice.

  “If we take her like this, there’s no surrender. I want her naked and kneeling, with her hands clasped behind her back.” The Rodyte unfastened her straps, working his way from her ankles to her arms.

  Echo held perfectly still, afraid to move, hesitant even to breathe. Where are you? These two aren’t going to wait much longer.

  I had to make a quick detour. We’re almost there.

  We? Had she stopped to release the men?

  The Rodyte helped her down from the table, then stepped back. “Undress for me. I want to see those tits.”

  She could play the seductress a bit longer or kick his worthless ass. Slowly raising her hands to the front of her shirt, she caught her lower lip between her teeth then jumped, kicking the arrogant prick in the side of the head. He staggered back, toppling a chair before he collided with the wall. She advanced without hesitation, driving an uppercut into his jaw. Her arms were grabbed from behind, her hands jerked to the small of her back.

  “You stupid bitch!” the Rodyte snarled, wiping his bleeding nose on the back of his hand. “If you want to play rough, I’ll be happy to oblige.” He smacked her with the back of his hand.

  Using the Linusian for leverage, she kicked the Rodyte in the chest, driving him back again.

  The Linusian laughed. “Gods, she’s a wild one.”

  Echo heard the door slide open, but knew better than taking her eyes off her opponent. The Linusian went limp behind her. The Rodyte collapsed a second later.

  “It took you long enough.” She turned around, expecting to find Saebin standing in the doorway. Instead Varrik approached her, his gaze filled with concern.

  “Are you all right?”

  Her heart fluttered madly, and heat cascaded through her chest. “I am now.” She released a shaky breath, wanting to throw herself into his arms. Afraid he’d push her away. They hadn’t spoken of the shared dream, hadn’t been alone since they left the maze. “Where’s Saebin?”

  “She headed to the bridge. I told her we’d meet her there. Are you sure they didn’t hurt you?” Echo nodded and knelt beside the Rodyte. “Is that the captain?” he asked.

  “Yes. Did you happen to bring—” He held out a fist full of alloy manacles and she smiled. They rolled the two uncons
cious men back to back, then secured the Linusian’s arms through the Rodyte’s. “That should keep them out of trouble until we get this heap turned around.”

  How’s it going up there? She sent her thought to Saebin.

  All clear on the bridge. I’ve set course for the COT. I suspect the overlord will have a question or two for these mangy dogs.

  That wouldn’t please Varrik, but Saebin was right. She motioned toward the captain and the Linusian. “How long will they be out?”

  “Until I release them. My compulsions are different from Saebin’s pulses. She overloads the synaptic pathways. I take control of them.”

  “I see.” She stood, both comforted and confounded to have him near. “The bridge is secure. Is Elder South still locked in his cabin?”

  “South is on board?”

  With a nod, she headed for the door. “The captain is just following orders. Let’s see if South knows what the Stirate is up to.”

  “I can see why your uncle recruited you. Your abilities make interrogation effortless.”

  “Uncle Trey didn’t recruit me. I volunteered. My parents thought it was a passing phase. They expected me to tag along on a mission or two and then go back to being a princess.” She shot him a sidelong glance. “Silly them.”

  Elder South sprang to his feet as they entered his cabin. “Why has the ship…” He looked from Echo to Varrik and back. His expression revealed nothing, while panic erupted in his eyes. “Are we rescued?”

  Echo laughed. “To require rescuing, one has to be in danger. Are you in danger?”

  South held up his hands, palms out. “Don’t come near me.”

  She took a step toward him, and pain stabbed into her brain. The room spun, shifting in and out of focus with nauseating speed. Varrik caught her elbow and reached into her mind, snuffing out South’s compulsion. Energy burst again, stronger this time. She strengthened her shields, but it wasn’t enough. Her eyes watered and her ears rang. She shook, a strangled moan escaping her throat.

  Fury rolled across their link, building like a violent thunder storm. Cold and consuming, the intensity made her gasp. “Don’t kill him.” She forced the words past the agony assailing her mind.

  Varrik reined in his anger, and Echo sensed his underlying emotions. Fierce protectiveness and an intoxicating mixture of passion and tenderness. She pressed her hand over her thundering heart. Was she the cause of all these feelings?

  With icy determination, Varrik absorbed South’s energy and flung it back on the elder. South screamed. Varrik stepped in front of her, shielding her with his mind and his body.

  She blinked away the moisture in her eyes. Varrik advanced on South, each step an obvious effort. A visible pulse blasted from South, knocking Varrik backward. He regained his footing and lunged, grasping South’s head between his hands. South yelled and tossed his head from side to side, unable to shake off Varrik’s hold.

  Knowing it might be the only opportunity she got, Echo skirted Varrik and grabbed the back of South’s head. Scalding heat and seething emotions exploded within her mind. The men were shoving energy back and forth in scorching waves. She cried out, keeping her hand pressed against the elder’s head.

  Chaotic thoughts and surging emotions hindered her progress. She had to find the memory center of South’s brain. There! She locked on to the signal and absorbed the information as quickly as her gift would allow.

  Swirling around her and sweeping through her, their mental battle raged. She focused on her task, shielding herself as much as she could. Varrik’s control was slipping. She glimpsed his full strength and trembled. Shimmering, expansive, and largely untapped. Did he even realize the extent of his abilities?

  Are you finished? Varrik sounded tense and tired, his restraint nearly spent.

  She withdrew with a gasp and panted, “Done.”

  South cried out one last time. His body collapsed in a lifeless heap at their feet.

  * * * * *

  “You’ve never been on a spaceship before?”

  Varrik dragged his gaze away from the spectacular view as Echo’s voice drifted to him. They soared past countless stars, moving so fast light seemed to bend. He’d been so absorbed in his troubled thoughts he hadn’t heard her enter the tiny lounge. “I’m a sweeper. I seldom had reason to leave the Shadow Maze.” He turned back to the viewport, keeping Echo in his peripheral vision. “This is amazing.”

  It was over. He could sense it in her mood, see it in her eyes. She would return to her life, and he… He had no idea what would become of him. He had no resources, nothing to offer her. His heart had staked its claim, but his mind understood that a future with Echo was impossible.

  “I just spoke with my father.” Her voice was soft and thick with emotion.

  Here it came, the beginning of their goodbye. He looked at her, and she glanced away, burying her hands in the pockets of her pants. “What did he have to say?”

  “You and your men will be taken into custody until we can sort through this mess.”

  “I must return to the maze,” he objected. “The elders—”

  “Are already in custody. Troops drilled down into the maze and are in the process of evacuating everyone. We’re supposed to report directly to the war room. Everyone is waiting for us there.”

  “Who is everyone?”

  “My mother and father. Probably Lyrik or Uncle Trey.”

  He nodded. They would be treated like criminals. He had expected no other reception.

  She laid her hand on his upper arm, drawing his gaze to hers. “I’ll do everything I can to make them understand.”

  “Understand what? I kidnapped you and seduced you, fully intending to get you pregnant. I didn’t anticipate the intensity of our connection, but it doesn’t change the facts. I must take responsibility for my actions. I have wronged you.”

  Framing his face with her hands, she stared into his eyes. “‘I have never felt as alive as I do when I’m inside you.’ You said that to me last night. I feel it, too, Varrik. There has to be a way we can—”

  “Don’t.” He closed his fingers around her wrists and pushed her hands away from his face. Fostering these hopes would only make their parting harder in the long run. She deserved security and comfort, things he couldn’t give her. “I was never foolish enough to think they’d let me keep you. Flames that burn this brightly aren’t destined to last.”

  “Bullshit! If we want to be together, we’ll find a way.”

  “Spoken like a princess, who has never been told no.”

  She folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her gaze. “Do you love me?”

  “This isn’t about love.”

  “Answer the question.”

  “It’s irrelevant,” he said firmly. “They’re going to lock me up for what I did to you.”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  * * * * *

  Echo refused to look at Varrik. His brooding expression was too distracting. Her parents had left a seat open between them. She chose to sit at Varrik’s side instead. Lyrik sat at the head of the table as was the overlord’s right. Trying to keep her explanation focused and succinct, Echo told them what she had learned from the Rodyte captain and Elder South.

  “Lilt will deny any connection to the events,” Charlotte predicted.

  “The maze is under Fortress Joon. How can he hope to deny his involvement?” Tal asked.

  “The original maze was under the Conservatory,” Echo reminded him. “Did Vee ever suspect that’s where his brother had set up shop?”

  Tal didn’t reply, so Varrik asked, “Has Elder North released his hold on E’Lanna? If he needs some incentive, I’d be happy to provide it.”

  “My daughters are my concern,” Tal told him in a cold, clipped tone.

  “E’Lanna is fine.” Echo ignored her father’s surliness.

  “I’m still a bit confused about the role Elder South played,” Lyrik said. “Was he a captive on the ship?”

  “The
device the Rodytes gave Elder East was a simple diversion,” Echo explained. “Elder South actually signaled the ship. He teleported up, expecting to be treated as a guest. Instead they locked him in his cabin.”

  “Neither of them knew why the Stirate wanted the hunters?” Charlotte asked.

  “No. The Rodyte captain was trying to gain favor with the Stirate. South sold out the hunters for the promise of a comfortable life on Rodymia.”

  Varrik shook his head. “All these cycles North was convinced South wanted control of the maze. In reality, South wanted to escape like everyone else.”

  “It’s a bit more complicated than that,” Echo said. “South suspected foul play was involved in your father’s death. He resisted North’s appointment because he sensed North’s guilt.”

  “Are you saying Elder North murdered my father so he could take control of our tribe?”

  She nodded. “Your father’s weapon didn’t malfunction—it was sabotaged. South wasn’t the elder determined to unite the tribes under one ruler—”

  “It was North?”

  Again she nodded.

  “Well, the maze has been evacuated.” Lyrik leaned against the tall back of his chair as speculation filled his green eyes. “The elders, hunters, and sweepers are all in custody. So, how do we proceed?”

  “We have no real option but to treat these as war crimes,” Charlotte decided. “The generals, or in this case the elders, must be held accountable, more so than their men.”

  “The majority of the soldiers alive today were born after the Great Conflict,” Varrik pointed out. “The elders have bartered their services to the highest bidder. Not all of them have taken lives.”

  “Have you?” Lyrik asked.

  “I played a different role.”

  The hint of a smile curved the overlord’s lips. “I’m left in somewhat of a quandary. All the information Echo provided is only useful if she admits her involvement in this operation.”