by Laurie Roma
“Hey, wait—” Matt protested from his position a few seats away.
“Do whatever is needed,” Malik said, then ended the connection. He leveled a look at Matt. “Not that it will do anything to change what is going to happen, but you might want to warn your regents about this.”
Matt sighed. “Yeah, I guess I should. If the Dragon Warriors are going to be killing elites on Tartarus, someone needs to update the regents.”
Their attention was pulled back to the screen on the wall when Magnus said, “We will contact all of our plants, warehouses, and stores and see if we can find out any more information for you.”
“Thanks.” Kahla added, “We are heading to Beta Station 4 on…I never asked, what is the name of this ship?”
“Does it need a name?” Malik asked. After a few seconds of both Kahla and Matt staring at him expectantly, he sighed. “We’ll call it the Reprisal.”
“Good name.” Kahla looked back toward the wall screen again. “As I was saying, I don’t know how much information we’ll find on Beta 4, so, any leads you can give us would be appreciated.”
“It was good seeing you at the TechCon,” Nico said with a wry smile. “Even if I was locked in the fucking ballroom most of the time I was on New Vega. We’ll have to have that drink when people aren’t trying to kill us.”
Kahla laughed. “Yeah, well do that.”
She ended the connection, and leaned back. “You gonna report that to Jax, Matt?”
“Yeah. Hell, I hate reporting to him.”
That made her smile. “You could just contact Sully instead.”
Matt laughed. “That’s what I usually do. I think I’m going to go down to the training center before I do, though. I’m really good at procrastinating when I want to.”
“Aren’t we all,” Kahla said dryly. “I’ve got to call my cousins and report, too.”
Matt stood up, and Malik said starting to rise, “Perhaps I’ll join you.”
“Wait for a moment. I want to talk to you about something, and this as good of a time as any. He’ll meet you down there, Matt.”
Once Matt left the room, she just stared at Malik, making him very uncomfortable. “What is it you would like to talk about?”
She propped an elbow on the armrest, then leaned her cheek against two of her fingers as she looked at him. “You guys are totally full of shit.”
His eyes narrowed. “My warriors and I have been nothing but honest.”
“I’m not talking about you and your males.” She laughed. “You and Reva think you’re so slick, but you are both horrible liars, about this anyway.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
She scoffed. “I can see it in the way that the two of you try to avoid looking at one another. And when you do, buddy, you’re lucky all of us in the room don’t get singed.”
“I don’t—”
Her expression shifted, and her black eyes were intense. “Do me a favor, and cut the crap.” She paused for a moment, then said, “I’ve been friends with Reva for a long time, and she has never lied to me until she met you. I don’t know you, but she does, and she trusts you. What I want to know is, do you care about her?”
That had him stiffening. “That is none of your concern.”
“Oh, but it is. You see, if you care about her, then you are going to help fix her.”
“What do you mean. She’s fine.”
“No, she’s not. I’m not telling you more until you answer my question.”
“I don’t think my answer matters. I cannot have her, regardless of my feelings,” Malik said softly. He could see her considering his statement, then she did something he hadn’t been expecting. She reached out and punched his shoulder…hard. “What the—”
“You’re pissing me off, Rego. Listen up. If the only thing that’s stopping you from being with her is your guilt because your sister is a sadistic psychopathic bitch, then you need to snap the fuck out of that.”
Malik wanted to blast her with all of the anger he held inside him, but what she said began to make him question his resolve. Because he wanted Reva enough to injure his pride, he spoke the truth. “There is no way I can be with her without bringing my family’s shame down on her, too.”
“You’re a fucking idiot.”
“You seem very comfortable speaking to me this way when most people fear me.”
“Yeah, well, if things end up the way I think they are supposed to, I’ll be visiting Reva at your palace…often. So, you’re just going to have to get used to me.”
They shared a smile, then Malik admitted something he wouldn’t have told anyone else. “If things were different, I would have asked Reva to be mine, to be the Lady of Rego Palace. But that is not a future we can have together now.”
Kahla sobered again. “She doesn’t blame you. Not at all. She’s being torn apart from the shame she feels because she wasn’t able to save her parents.”
“Her mother and fathers died because of what my sister did.”
“So, she should blame you? Get real, Tarin. I’ve seen others go down this path before. The shame and guilt beat at you until you can’t feel anything. It’s a long road to come back from, and some never do.”
“You sound like you know that from personal experience.”
“I do. I lost my parents in an attack on New Vega, same as Reva. Only, it was my own people that killed them years ago.” She hesitated, then said, “If I had someone to pull me back from the edge, it would have been much easier to come back from it.”
Malik didn’t know what to say, so he just stood. “It’s not that simple.”
“It is if you want it to be. She hasn’t cried once since they died. Hasn’t shed one fucking tear. That’s not her. She’s strong, but Reva is like a machine right now, and it’s creepy. Hell, I’m worried about her, okay? If you love her like you say you do, then tell her. Give her something to help her.”
He walked toward the doorway, then stopped and turned around. “How long? Until you came back from it?”
Kahla looked away and started working on her data unit. “I’ll tell you when I do.”
Considering that, Malik made his way down to the training area on one of the lower levels. He heard the sound of fists hitting flesh, and the grunts and groans that came from people in combat. Unsure of what he was going to do, Malik took a deep breath before entering the room.
Then he thought his head was going to explode.
Reva was fighting Darius and Rob Perez, wearing nothing but a sports bra and shorts that were so tiny they barely covered her privates. Her hair was pulled back with a leather strap, and each of them was wearing gel sparring gloves to soften the blows, but that wasn’t helping much as she beat on two males that wouldn’t hit her back. Malik barely saw Amari sitting on a stack of mats, swinging one of her legs back and forth as she watched the fight. Fury surged through him as he saw both Matt and Lazio watching her with eyes glazed with appreciation.
He wanted to punch each male in the face, then he noted Reva doing just that to Darius with her gloved fist. A hard kick to Rob’s stomach sent him sprawling, and he gasped for air on the ground as Darius threw her over his shoulder, then touched a hand to his bleeding nose. While he was distracted, she used her legs to bring him down with her, then flipped back onto her feet.
Rob jumped back up to his feet, and when they both squared off again, Reva met Rob with a furious volley of kicks and punches, moving faster he did. Even enhanced, the elite had a difficult time matching the natural strength and speed of a Helios. It was a beautiful thing watching Reva in motion. Her grace and skill was like a deadly dance, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Though, this wasn’t a normal sparring session.
He could see a fury in her eyes, but he also saw an emptiness there that worried him. As he watched her battle the two larger males, he finally understood what Kahla had been trying to tell him. Reva’s guilt and rage were living, breathing entities inside of her, and if
she didn’t stop blaming herself, it was going to consume her. He could see it in the desperate way she fought, as if Darius and Rob were demons she needed to conquer.
He’d wanted to avoid her, to stop being around her, but it had been the right course of action. He could see that now. His own guilt had been blinding him. Putting an end to their relationship wasn’t what was best for her…or him. No, it would just make both of them suffer more. Reva Golaris was his only chance of salvation. She could save him, and in return he would devote his life to giving her everything she’d ever wanted.
And he would love her until he took his very last breath.
Malik was aware of Matt walking up beside him, but he didn’t take his eyes off the combatants on the mats. They both winced as Reva hit Darius with a left cross. Malik knew that Darius would never hurt a female, but he was having a difficult time holding back while stopping her from taking his head off. When Rob attacked again, Darius took the opportunity to wrap an arm around Reva’s neck from behind.
“Stop.” The command was out before Malik could hold it back. He really didn’t like seeing his brother touching his female. In fact, it made him want to rip Darius’ arm off. His warrior immediately let go of Reva and took a few steps back out of her reach. Rob glanced at him, then mirrored his motion.
Reva swung her head around to glare at him. “I wasn’t done with them.”
“Yes, you are. If you want to continue fighting, you can fight me.” Malik stepped forward onto the mats as Darius and Rob walked off. Reva was breathing hard, her chest heaving, and he had to force himself not to look down at her breasts.
Her amber eyes narrowed, and she hissed…actually hissed at him. For some strange reason, it made him want to laugh or take her down to the floor so he could make love to her. Energy was coming off her in waves, and he felt it growing stronger the closer he got. When he was standing in front of her, he felt his energy connect with her, and called himself a fool for almost giving up on what they could have together.
But he was done holding back now.
Her fist flew at his face with no warning, but he slapped her arm away and moved out of the way. Defense was not his usual play, since he usually liked to be on the attack, but he had enough battle experience to know how to fight without hurting her.
“What are you doing? Fight back, damn you,” she growled. “Fight me!”
“That’s not going to help you. If you need to fight, we can do this, but I’m not going to hurt you. I won’t hurt you, Reva. Ever.”
She attacked with new fervor, her hands jabbed, and her legs kicked at any open spots she could find.
After several minutes, he wrapped his arms around her, one around her waist, and another holding onto her neck, her back to his front. They were both panting for breath, but not just from exertion now. Fighting with her was exhilarating, and he wasn’t the only one who felt it. He could sense it, read it in her energy, and he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
“Is this really making you feel better, helicca?” he whispered. “You’re tired and need to rest. You have to stop this.”
“What do you care?” she hissed. “You’re just after an energy boost.”
“That’s insulting to both of us,” he snapped. “I want more than just energy from you.”
“What do you want, then?”
“You. All of you.” Malik turned her, then jerked her forward, slamming his mouth down on hers. She fought him for barely a second, then her hands fisted into his hair.
As they continued to kiss, Darius cleared his throat. “We should leave them alone.”
“They are going to have sex,” Amari observed. “A Helios and Tarin mating would be interesting to observe.”
“Okay, we’re leaving now,” Matt ordered. He glanced at the couple locked in a passionate embrace, and gestured to Rob, then the door.
“Well, if Amari is staying,” Lazio began, “Can’t we just—”
“No,” Darius and Matt said at the same time as they started toward the doorway.
“Fine. I’m going back to my ship.” Then, Amari disappeared.
“That is so fucking cool.” Lazio sighed. “If we can’t watch—and our lord would probably gouge our eyes out if we did—let’s go eat something.”
“You just ate a few hours ago,” Darius reminded.
“I’m still growing,” Lazio complained as they left the room.
After everyone left, Reva kicked Malik’s legs out from under him. He took her down with him, and they rolled until she was on top of him. “Now that we’re alone…”
He groaned. “That could have been done easier. All you had to do was ask.”
“You getting soft on me, Tarin? You know I don’t like it easy.” Her hand moved down between their bodies, and she purred softly in her throat when she found his cock hard and ready for her. “Mmm, getting soft isn’t going to be a problem, after all.”
Malik turned his head toward the stack of mats, and growled, “Leave. Now.”
“What are you—?” Reva’s question trailed off into a gasp when Amari reappeared exactly where she’d been sitting before.
Amari tilted her head to the side. “How did you know I was still here?”
“I’ve gotten used to Jaden and Katra popping in on me all the time, so I’ve made it a priority to learn how to sense them,” he explained dryly. “I’d like you to leave…for real this time.”
Amari grinned. “You are smart, nephew. I promise to leave, but first…”
Both Reva and Malik gasped as their clothing disappeared off their bodies, only to reappear in a pile next to Amari.
“What the—?”
“This is more convenient. You may thank me later.” Amari winked, then disappeared.
Reva looked down at Malik and saw he wasn’t as surprised she was feeling. Instead, there was a hint of resignation in his eyes while his lips were curved in a slight smile of amusement. She sighed, and said, “Okay, that was strange.”
“It’s going to take time…a lot of time to get used to her calling me her nephew.” He skimmed his hands up and down her naked back. “She’s right, though. I really will have to thank her later.”
“That is assuming I was going to get naked with you.”
“A male can hope.”
She let out a delicate snort. “Yeah. Well, this certainly cuts down on foreplay.”
His voice was a soft caress as he said, “Just having you in my arms is enough for me. This scenario is right out of my dreams. Do you need more foreplay, my lady? I will endeavor to give you whatever you wish.”
My lady. Gods, she loved when he called her that.
His hands shifted until they were cupping her face, and she couldn’t stop herself from nuzzling against his palm. Touch was almost as important to a Helios as scent was, and Malik’s was absolutely addicting for both. She wanted to lay her head on him so she could press her nose against his skin, and she wanted his hands on her.
Stars, did she want him to touch her.
Since they were both naked, she wanted to spread her legs so she could ride him until they were both breathless…but not yet. They just looked at one another for several long seconds, and the hunger in his dark gaze made her pussy slick with desire. No, she didn’t need foreplay when he looked at her like that. She was ready for him…now.
“Ah, there you are.”
Reva was confused by his whispered words. One of her hands reached up to grip his wrist, holding on, anchoring herself. She loved the feel of his bare skin against her, and she wanted to feel him over, under, on top, and inside of her. She breathed in deeply to settle herself before asking, “What do you mean?”
“I’ve missed the way you look at me, Reva. Just like this. I’ve missed the feel of you against me. Missed being inside of you.”
“That could be fixed right now,” she whispered as she leaned down.
Reva pressed her lips against his, savoring the light touch, but it wasn’t enough. She took t
he kiss deeper, slanting their mouths together over and over. She sank into him as their tongues tangled together in an erotic dance, and she reveled in finally feeling something besides the anger and pain that ate her alive.
For this, she could let him center her.
Breathing deep, she took his sweet, musky scent in, let it fill her. She moaned as her fangs brushed against his seeking tongue, but it didn’t halt him. It just seemed to make them both hotter, and greedy for more. What she felt for him was a primal need, but the way he touched her with frantic hands made her understand that his desire for her was just as urgent.
She lost herself in the passion, let the pleasure take over.
The taste and scent of him were intoxicating, driving her to the brink of madness for him, only for him. He turned her so he was on top of her, but she let him. Let him part her legs so he could plunge inside her, but he held back, continuing to kiss her until she wanted to claw at his back to demand relief.
His warmth seeped into her, wrapping her in a cocoon of safety that she wanted to believe. She wanted to hold onto the moment, to make it last forever even as she wanted him to make her come as only he had been able to.
As if he knew what she was thinking, his hand slipped down between her legs. He rubbed his fingers over her small clit, then plunged two thick fingers into her hot, wet pussy. Her head snapped back against the mat beneath her, and she let out a low moan.
“Yes! More, give me more.”
He feasted on her exposed neck, sucking at her skin and leaving small love bites as he worked her tight hole open with his fingers. She was so close, just needed…grabbing his hand with hers, she pressed his palm against her tighter, using him to rub her own clit.
“That’s it, helicca. Take your pleasure from me. Let us get you ready for me.”
Malik felt a frantic need building like an impending storm waiting just beyond the horizon. He knew from experience that she was tight, and he needed her soaked with her own cum before he took her the way he wanted to. Rubbing his palm against her harder, faster, he pulled back just enough to watch her come apart.