So ‘tis all right that I’ve taken the Seer as mate? He held his breath, waiting for their reply.
Ares and Eros laughed. It had better be, since ‘tis already done.
What about Atlantean law?
Eros faced Coridan, stopping their progress. Much has changed with the Atlantean people over the years of our separation. There are no longer preparation rituals or laws forbidding Seers from joining. Our people have diversified much on this planet. We even have alien races amongst us. They all live in harmony despite their differences. You have much to see and even more to learn, but all in due time.
Coridan nodded, relief streaming through him. They walked on and made it another thirty feet or so from the transport when the machine started to rattle. All turned as one to face the noise. Coridan caught Ares’ eye, questions filling his mind.
‘Tis what happens when someone comes through the transport. ‘Tis probably my half-brother Orion, we sent him to find you after retrieving Queen Rachel’s and Jac’s friend, Brigit.
Coridan arched a brow. Ares’ half-brother? He said nothing, saving the question for later. He knew Ares would eventually tell him about everything that had occurred since he and Ariel had been away. The guards stepped forward, shimmering swords drawn, positioning their bodies between the transport and the royals.
The machine thundered, growing blacker by the minute. Suddenly a hazy form appeared. A second later, Rumsinger tumbled forward, the force of the transport hurling him into the room. He stumbled a second before falling to his knees. The guards stepped forward, weapons held at ready.
Rumsinger stood, brushing his hands off, his mud brown eyes slowly taking in his surroundings while a combination of awe and shock flitted across his face. He looked at Jac, Ariel, and then Rachel, his eyes widening on the last.
“You’re dead,” he gurgled, not appearing to realize he’d said the words aloud.
“Let me at the bastard.” Jac stepped forward, only to be swept up in Ares’ strong arms. “Put me down this instant, damn you!”
“No!” Ares’ face remained a hard unrelenting mask.
“Let me go, so I can kick his ass.” Jac struggled, arms and legs flailing.
“I will not allow you to harm yourself or our child.” With those words spoken, Ares’ stride grew longer.
Coridan watched his one time mentor make his way toward a set of jewel encrusted double doors, which appeared to be made out of crimson colored crystals. He could still hear Jac’s loud protests, but she no longer fought Ares’ hold. The doors opened as the couple approached. Ares stepped through and disappeared with Jac down a hallway leading to the right.
“How dare you?” Rachel approached the Professor, her hands planted on her hips.
Queen Rachel’s question drew Coridan back to the immediate problem. Stunning the red-devil had not been enough. The man had a death wish. Coridan reached out and snatched Ariel from the place rooting her, enclosing her within the safety of his arms.
“Stay back!” Eros commanded.
Rachel jumped, but in the wrong direction.
Before the guards could fire a weapon, the Professor closed the distance, his hand snaking around Rachel’s throat in what could easily kill her.
Ariel and Coridan tensed. Eros stopped, his face displaying for a second the fear Coridan knew the King felt.
“Stand down, men,” Eros ordered. “No one is to harm the Queen.”
“That’s right,” Rumsinger shouted. “Behave and I won’t have to kill her.” He squeezed his fingers together to emphasize his point, causing Rachel to cough.
Coridan’s blood boiled. He glanced down into Ariel’s terrified face and pressed a chaste kiss upon her forehead before placing her behind his large body. Rachel’s eyes rounded with fright, her fingers clutched protectively over her abdomen.
“I want to get out of here.” Rumsinger bellowed, stepping back toward the transport. “Let me leave and she’ll return unharmed.”
“You can’t leave.” Eros’ muscles bunched as if ready to pounce.
The Professor’s grip on Rachel’s throat tightened once more and she gagged. Coridan took a step forward and stopped, drawing Rumsinger’s attention momentarily away from the Queen. Once again, his mind screamed out for vengeance. It was in that moment he felt Ariel’s hand cling to his wrist. The touch brought him back, allowed him to focus.
The Professor and his madness must be stopped.
Before anyone could act, the transport began to whirl and shudder. Eros’ eyes widened. His voice slammed into Coridan’s mind. The transport only works one way.
Then what is happening? Are his men coming?
I know not. The King stared, waiting.
The crystal doors behind them slammed open and Jac came striding forward with Ares hot on her heels. “What the f—”
The transport’s swirling and sputtering was followed by a loud scream. All eyes locked on the device as a red-haired woman fell through the transport. Off balance and out of control, she shrieked again as her body collided with Rumsinger and Rachel, separating them, sending him sailing forward and the Queen falling to the side. Coridan barely tracked Eros’ movements as he caught Queen Rachel before she landed belly first onto the hard floor.
The Professor barreled head first into the guards. The men didn’t have time to avert their weapons. Rumsinger cried out as his skull impaled on a crystal sword. His body flopped for a few seconds before going limp. The guard holding the weapon tilted the sword until the Professor slipped from its blade and onto the floor. Blood pooled on the opaque tiles. Nothing could survive a blow like Rumsinger received.
Silence reigned in the room for a few moments as everyone took in the remarkable scene. Relief flooded every fiber of Coridan’s being as he swept Ariel into his arms.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” the red-haired woman sputtered, as she rose to her feet. She squinted and pointed to the body. “Who is that?”
“Brigit!” Jac’s and Rachel’s voices cried out in unison, as the women struggled to escape their mates’ grips.
Coridan and Ariel watched the red-haired woman brush off her hands. She squinted again, then picked up a pair of wire-rimmed glasses from the floor. She wiped the lenses on her shirt before putting them on.
“Oh my,” she said, looking at the guards surrounding her.
The transport once again whirled and the guards braced for an attack.
A moment later, a striking warrior appeared in the gloom and stepped through the transport. He resembled Ares a little, but appeared far wilder with his facial tattoo. He had one aqua eye and one jade colored eye. His gaze locked onto the red-haired woman Jac and Rachel had called Brigit.
“Orion?” Ares and Eros called out, their voices filled with a myriad of questions.
“Honey, what have you done?” Orion asked, as his gaze went to the man on the floor. “I told you to lean back, transports always throw you forward.”
The woman glanced at the body once more then over her shoulder at Orion. “Oh, shut up. I don’t want to hear ‘I told you so’ right now from you. This is bad, very bad.” She began to wring her hands and pacing.
Rachel and Jac pulled free from their mates’ grasps and rushed forward. “Brigit, it is you.”
The woman’s eyes widened as her gaze absorbed Jac and Rachel. “Who were you expecting?”
“Only you.” Rachel and Jac embraced Brigit for a moment, before releasing her. Curious glances shot to the warrior beyond.
Brigit followed their gazes. “Don’t ask.” She shook her head and then spoke as if reading their minds. “It’s a long story.”
Brigit stepped forward, ignoring Jac and Rachel, as the group converged to surround Professor Rumsinger’s lifeless body. “Is that Donald Rumsinger?” she asked.
Rachel nodded.
“Is he dead?” Brigit’s body began to tremble.
Coridan crouched down, touching his fingers to the repulsive man’s neck. The body twitched one f
inal time and the Professor’s head cracked open, splitting down the middle like a melon.
Coridan turned to look at the group, their faces held hope and disgust. The woman known as Brigit swayed on her feet, her face pale as she waited for an answer to her question. The tattooed warrior stepped behind her, resting his hands lightly upon her small shoulders.
Coridan stood and nodded his head, confirming the obvious.
Brigit teetered again, her gaze beading on the Professor’s twisted face. She leaned forward tentatively as if to see for herself, then stepped back against Orion’s body. Her eyes closed momentarily as she took a couple of deep breaths and swallowed hard. Brigit nodded to herself, opening her eyes to glance back at the group. “Thank goodness.”
The statement exploded the tension in the air as readily as if she’d detonated a bomb. Nervous giggles tittered from the women and the men barked with laughter.
“Come. ‘Tis over,” Eros said, herding everyone away from the grizzly scene. “I believe this is cause for celebration.”
The King led the group away from the man who’d caused them all so much pain and suffering. Coridan gathered Ariel to him, his body vibrating with emotion.
So what do you think?
Her gaze fluttered to his face. I care not what has happened to Rumsinger.
His lips quirked as he fought the urge to smile. That’s not what I speak of.
Ariel’s brow furrowed in confusion.
Coridan slid his hands to her stomach and gently caressed her bare skin. Would you like to carry my babe?
Ariel’s eyes flashed, love turning the blue into the color of a fathomless sea. You know I would.
Coridan’s smile flashed wide and his heart swelled. He waggled his eyebrows. Then I suggest we get started. They laughed, an intimate sound, filled with smoky promises and desires to come.
# # #
ATLANTEAN HEAT
by
Jordan Summers
Table of Contents: Atlantean Heat
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Cassandra yearns for more than the planet Zaron can offer her. She will do anything to find her truemate, even tag along with Orion as he sets out to rescue Brigit and the remaining Atlanteans. She gets more than she bargained for when she meets Buzz, a jaded ex-astronaut who doesn’t believe in love and has given up all dreams of returning to space.
He’s also triggered her Atlantean Heat.
Can she turn the tables and make him just as hot?
Cassandra faces an uphill battle trying to heal the wounds of Buzz’s past. As she tries to break through the armor surrounding his heart, she fears that Buzz will turn his back on her and give up the one woman who could ever understand his darkest desires and answer his most fervent dreams.
What do a bitter ex-astronaut and a restless Atlantean woman have in common?
Nothing…and everything.
* * * * *
Chapter One
Cassandra stared out the small viewing hole, watching stars and distant galaxies go by. The blackness was comforting, like a favorite outfit or a baby’s laugh. She’d longed for this moment since the day her people had left Earth.
Unlike the majority of the Atlantean people, Cassandra had wanted to explore outside of their jungle borders, experience the rest of what Earth had to offer. After meeting Queen Rachel, she’d become positively fascinated by humans. If her queen was indicative of a human female, what were the males like? Cassandra knew they couldn’t all be molded in the form of the Professor or the smaller natives she’d seen in the jungle.
She would have left her people long ago if it hadn’t been for the fact that Atlantean warriors watched Atlantean women like hungry raptors protecting their kill, not allowing them to wander too far out of their sight. Cassandra understood the reasons, but knowing this hadn’t curbed her wanderlust.
The stars twinkled like the fireflies that used to swarm in the balmy jungle. She pressed her hand against the tiny window, remembering the simple joy she’d gotten from chasing the glowing bugs around, capturing them, only to release them once again.
Cassandra glanced at the amazing looking warrior beside her. Orion was one of the few she hadn’t dallied with. Out of sheer boredom, she’d chosen to share company with several of the warriors on Zaron. They’d served their purpose at the time. Perhaps if the trip was long enough and they got bored…
She eyed him again, then quickly dismissed the thought.
She’d heard rumors about the striking warrior, some of which had certainly piqued her curiosity, but not enough to act on it. He was, after all, an Atlantean warrior, first and foremost. Moreover, Orion was not her true-mate which, from the looks of his body, was a pity. Her gaze caressed his muscled form, focusing on the impressive bulge filling his pants.
As if sensing her gaze, Orion turned. The impact of his dual-colored eyes, one jade and one aqua, arrested her breath. His knowing assessment told Cassandra without words he’d read her thoughts. Don’t worry. He smiled. I’m not interested in you either, and I think I can contain my boredom until we reach Earth. Mirth simmered in his voice.
Cassandra laughed. His candor was refreshing. It was just a thought, not a proposition. I’m looking for something…different.
And you think you’ll find it in an Earthling?
Perhaps…
I fear you will only find disappointment. The species as a whole is somewhat lacking in size and honor.
We shall see.
Orion flicked switches, adjusting fuel in the reserve tanks. Where is it you wish me to take you once we reach the planet?
I’ve longed to see the ocean again. Cassandra sighed, picturing the blue-green water with its white foamy crests, gently lapping at a sandy shore. Queen Rachel has told me I might enjoy a place called California.
Orion frowned and punched another button, bringing up holographic maps of planet Earth. Where did she say this place is located?
The same piece of land you need to be on to find Brigit. Cassandra stared at the swirling map, her eyes widening as she saw how close the water was to this California place. If she reached out she could almost touch the wetness, feel the refreshing spray on her face. She resisted the urge to touch the spot on the map that held so many possibilities for her.
What do the glowing lights represent on the map?
Colonies. He pointed to a spot on the east coast of the North American continent. The brighter the light, the more populated the area.
Cassandra stared entranced as the colonies lit up like the stars, each one glowing brighter than the next. One stood out, far outshining the rest. I want you to take me there.
Orion glanced, then pressed a button to draw closer to the spot she’d pointed to. The place you wish to visit is called Los Angeles.
Cassandra smiled. “Los Angeles,” she murmured aloud, testing the name on her tongue. The words rolled off, easing past her lips like a gentle kiss. Her skin prickled, leaving gooseflesh behind. This was the place. The place she’d begin her search. Even the name left a shiver of excitement shimmying up her spine.
Queen Rachel has said you will need something called money. I have researched this item. It is what the humans use to barter with, in exchange for goods and food.
Do we have any of this…money?
Yes. The replicator has managed to reproduce a travel sack full of the stuff. You should have more than enough for what you need. I’ve also taken the liberty of placing a deciphering unit in your sack. You’ll be able to find any meaning or item by just thinking about it. It should help when it comes to talking to the humans.
Orion pressed a panel to his side, which had been all but hidden from view seconds ago. He pulled out a metal device Cassandra had never seen before. What is that?
A communication device. He flipped a switch on the side of the thin rectangular object and a tiny screen appeared. If you need assistance or are ready to come back
home, just flip this switch and hold the device next to your head. It will pick up your thoughts, in the same way we’re having this conversation, and transport you to the ship. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of space, because the device is powerful enough to transport the objects around you. I don’t want to end up with any unnecessary baggage.
Cassandra nodded and reached for the device. Orion pulled it out of her reach.
Are you sure, you want to do this? ‘Tis not too late to change your mind. You can come with me to retrieve the Queen’s friend. His tone was serious and held more than a little concern.
Cassandra forced a smile. Inside she was terrified. She’d never been away from her people—ever. Nevertheless, she was absolutely sure this was what she wanted, so she swallowed her fear and faced Orion unflinchingly. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.
He stared for a few moments, his gaze assessing, deciding. Cassandra held her breath waiting, praying to the goddess that whatever he saw in her face would be enough to allow her this time of discovery.
Finally, he nodded. California it is.
* * * * *
They landed without incident two days later. Cassandra had never seen so many lights in all her life. It was as if the stars had fallen from the sky and lay like a blanket upon the hillsides, shining, twinkling, beckoning to her. She’d asked Orion to drop her near the water. In her black flight suit, with her blonde hair braided down her back, Cassandra watched as the first rays of light hit the ocean, illuminating its murky depths.
She took a deep breath, and inhaled the salty air into her lungs. Tears of joy burned behind her eyelids. It was as beautiful and awe inspiring as she’d remembered. The waves rolled in, lapping at the beach, their gentle roar like music to her Atlantean ears. She hugged her sides and just breathed. The peace that had eluded her so easily on Zaron engulfed her here. The muscles in her tense shoulders relaxed. She slipped her boots off and dug her toes into the sand. Warmth engulfed her feet. She flexed her toes, grabbing and releasing the powder soft grains.
Atlantean's Quest Volume 2 Page 12