by DJ Michaels
Kae pulled Sorcha closer, sheltering her body and tucking her head under his chin. He’d put every bit of faith he had into this plan and he’d refused to consider the possibility they might fail. But now he had her safe in his arms all the things that could have gone wrong began circling in his head. This mission could have failed a hundred different ways—he could have easily lost her and Jax tonight. If that happened Kae wanted to be gone too. He couldn’t live without Jax, didn’t want to, and he didn’t want to live without Sorcha either.
Shaking his head at his own morbidity, he tried to let go of what he couldn’t live without. Instead he focused on what he could look forward living with. Nuzzling the blanket aside, he whispered in Sorcha’s ear. “You all right, kitten?”
“Yes, I’m good now.”
“I’m so very glad to have you back. We both are.”
She snorted. “What, you and Tengale?”
“No,” he laughed. “Me and Jax. Although I suspect you’re going to have to deal with a whole lot of dragon love in the next few weeks.”
“That’s okay, as long it comes with a hefty dose of Enforcer love too.”
“Never doubt it.”
She sounded good, tired but almost cheerful. It made him wonder about her experience in Allsgate. “Sorcha. Can I ask?”
She wriggled a little, making just enough room to slide her hand out of the blanket cocoon. Her palm was warm when she pressed it to his cold cheek. “Medalyn drugged me to transport me and when I woke up I was in his rooms under the careful and respectful watch of the guards. They weren’t stupid enough to touch me. Medalyn only arrived tonight, not long before you arrived so all I had to do was stall him a bit. I distracted him long enough for Tansy to take him out so the worst I suffered was a bit of hair pulling and some unsavory threats.” She nodded to the other girls. “They are the ones who had it bad. They’ll need a lot of help and a lot of TLC to get back to themselves.”
Kae waited for the glitch in his translator to right itself but eventually he had to ask. “What’s TLC?”
“Tender Loving Care.”
“Oh. I think I might need some of that too.”
She smiled and snuggled back down. “Of course you will.”
“And Jax. He’ll probably need it more than me.”
“No doubt.”
“And you’re all right with that?” Her ready acceptance of their relationship seemed a long way from the woman who cursed them up one side and down the other and swore never to see them again.
“Kaelum, you and Jax just flew in and saved me from the kind of hell only another woman would understand. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that you came for me, how happy I am that you and Jax want to be with me. Seriously, all is forgiven.”
Kae smiled. Yes, all was forgiven, and it would stay that way right up until the next time he or Jax pissed her off.
Much to Sorcha’s relief they made a short stop a little under halfway through their ocean crossing. A series of islands formed an archipelago in the middle of nowhere and they landed on a small island with enough sandy beach to easily accommodate eight battle dragons. The women were unharnessed and after quick and belated introductions, Nash gathered them together and led them into the scrub to answer nature’s call. And thank god. She’d been dying to pee for the last hour but Kae had told her she’d have to wait. This was the first and last landfall until they reached the Ivastan coast.
Once the urgent business was concluded they washed up in a stream and ate a quick, cold meal on the beach. The women were still in their robes and bare feet so they kept their blankets and huddled in them for what warmth they could find. Sorcha had barely brushed the last crumbs from her fingers before she and the other women were hustled back to the dragons. This time she mounted up with Jax on Tengale and Kae buckled her in, sneaking kisses and whispering delightful promises in her ear. As soon as the passengers were secure the dragons surged off the beach and flew skyward, heading into the coming dawn.
She relaxed into Jax’s strong hold, absorbing the hard heat of his body at every point of contact. He had her wrapped like an enchilada in the blanket but he’d left enough of her face free that he could nuzzle her cheek to cheek. Jax’s warmth and the steady rhythm of Tengale’s wing beats lulled her into a semi-doze. She drifted, letting her thoughts float in and out of her consciousness as the rescue party headed home.
It was mid-morning before the smudge on the horizon finally resolved itself into a green landmass with sandy beaches and white-cresting waves. They were almost there. With a sigh of happy contentment Sorcha sagged against Jax, glad that the tension of the kidnapping and subsequent rescue was finally behind them. She was so relaxed, in fact, it took her a moment to realize the dragons had gone on full alert.
“What’s going on?” she asked Jax.
“Skiffs. Give me a minute.”
She didn’t know what skiffs were and when she turned to ask Jax she could see by his expression he was dragon talking. After a moment the Enforcers with female passengers changed positions, flying so close together they were practically on top of each other. Of the solo riders, Rowen and Behr moved out to protect the pack and Kae, Rye and Tarkan flew forward to meet the threat. The Enforcers all donned their helmets and every one of them had a loaded crossbow in his hand.
Jax’s muffled voice sounded in her ear. “Will you be all right if I have to let you go?”
“Yes, of course. Do what you need to do.” Sorcha freed her arms from the blanket, ignored the biting cold on her satin-covered skin and gripped her harness with both hands. She’d been assured early on that it was impossible to fall off a dragon once a harness was in place but she felt more secure with her hands gripped tightly around the leather.
She caught a glint of sunlight on metal low in the distance and as the flashes grew closer she got her first look at a skiff. It was shaped like the prow of a boat, pointed at the front and curving back in a smooth arc. The base was broad and flat, and the rear section was cut off straight and square.
“The skiffs are short range,” Jax said. “They carry a pilot, three soldiers and enough armaments to take care of whatever comes at them. We have to engage them up close so for us the biggest danger is laser fire.”
She watched the two skiffs come closer at a frightening rate and her heart beat even harder when she saw the three blacks racing out to meet them. Six soldiers, two pilots and who knew what kind of technologically advanced weapons against three Enforcers with crossbows. She would have turned away in horror if Kae hadn’t been one of those in the field of fire. Instead her gaze stayed riveted to Jaysada’s gray form.
The first volley shot out from the skiffs like tracer fire, blobs of colored light arcing through the sky at a velocity that was almost too fast to see. The dragons tilted in what looked like a lazy manuever and the shots slid by without contact. The pattern repeated over and over until the Enforcers were close enough to fire their bows. The arrows were only the length of her forearm, but they sliced the air straight and true, bolt after bolt shooting toward the soldiers while the dragons dipped and slid away from the laser fire.
Two soldiers fell from the skiffs, then a third. By then Rye had dropped underneath enemy formation and he fired a thick, heavy arrow that thudded and clung to the base of the lead skiff. His dragon peeled off and pumped her wings to gain altitude just as the skiff exploded into a ball of flame and shrapnel. In the chaos Tarkan flew past the second skiff and let fly with another sticky arrow. A second fiery explosion lit up the sky and just like that it was all over.
The three outriders came back to the group but the five huddled in the middle didn’t change their position. Jax removed his helmet but kept one hand on his weapon. Using his free hand to tuck Sorcha back into the warmth of the blanket he banded his arm around her waist.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Sorcha didn’t want to lie but she didn’t think he needed to know just how close to the edge she was right now
. “I’m a little shaken up but I’m okay.”
She was going to ask him if anyone was hurt but she suspected he’d give her the same kind of half-truth she’d just given him. So she went to the one being who wouldn’t understand the need for a lie. Tengale, are the Enforcers unharmed?
Small injuries only. Tarkan has a laser burn on his arm and Devonelle got hit by some debris when the skiff exploded. Their wounds can wait until we get back to the den.
You have medical facilities that can help them?
She felt his disapproval wash over her. Those small scratches won’t require a physician. Benmonth and Fellescend will heal their partners.
Are you sure?
Yes, pet, I am sure.
And with that he severed the link.
Chapter Sixteen
They arrived in Sapphire mid-morning but rather than making straight for the den as Sorcha expected the dragons flew toward town. She turned to Jax. “We’re not going straight home?”
“Not yet. You all need to be checked out by a physician and the other women need to have a say in what happens next.”
Sorcha could see the formal grounds of Addestet House looming closer and she could just make out two dragons resting in the shade of the trees. “Why here?”
“Tollanare has staff experienced in dealing with Earth women and he’s willing to supply whatever items they need to be comfortable.”
She gave Jax the evil eye. “I’m not feeling all that charitable toward Sapphire councilmen at the moment.”
He stroked a hand over her hair and lowered his head for a soft kiss. “Tollanare’s one of the good ones. I promise Kae and I won’t let you out of our sight.”
Puckering up for a second kiss, she decided to let things ride for now. The only people she trusted were the Enforcers but as long as Kae and Jax kept their weapons handy she would play along.
They landed en mass and the dragons barely had time to fold their wings before a flash of red burst onto the lawn. Chelsea had her skirts hiked to her knees as she pelted across the grass. Not bothering to slow down, she launched herself at Ari, trusting him to catch her. Scooping her up, he captured her mouth, kissing her with a powerful mix of love and carnality. Then Tarkan grabbed his lovers and pushed himself into the kiss as the three of them clutched each other tight.
Dev and Rye were taking care of Tansy and they escorted her closer to the mated triad. They waited longer than Sorcha would have but eventually Dev started calling for their attention. To no avail.
Then Tansy stepped forward. “Chelsea? Chelsea, I’m here.”
Chelsea’s head snapped around and the moment she laid eyes on Tansy she began pushing at her men to get free. “Oh my god. Ohmygodohmygod!”
And she ran. Tansy dumped the blanket and opened her arms, meeting Chelsea in a tangle of limbs and tears and babble. They talked over each other, they wiped each other’s faces and Sorcha had to blink against her own tears. It was beautiful to see two sisters-of-the-heart reunited in a world where so few of the Earth women had anyone of their own.
Jax broke Sorcha’s focus by easing her down into Kae’s arms and after a moment he joined them on the ground, all three standing side by side. Her men positioned themselves so she was safely bracketed between their big, strong bodies and Sorcha finally began to relax. She breathed them in—warm man, leather and dragon.
Taking her by the hand, Jax led her to the edge of the clearing where two Enforcers stood with Tollanare Ghananstall.
Jax gestured to the dragon riders. “Sorcha, I’d like you to meet my friends Torisayle Hedderyn and Shaytrahn Ghananstall. Gentlemen, this is my mate Sorcha Meehan.” Sorcha nodded then addressed the Enforcer with the sky-blue hair. “Shaytrahn Ghananstall?”
“My friends call me Shay.” He gestured to the councilor standing beside him. “Tollanare is my brother.”
Like the other Enforcers, Shaytrahn was much taller and more heavily muscled than any townsman. He also had the slanting cheekbones and tip-tilted eyes that were common to all dragon riders. His hair was the same long, silky mane that the other Enforcers sported and it was so far from the light-brown normalness of Tollanare’s she couldn’t help but frown.
“You don’t look like brothers,” she said.
Shay laughed. “We used to. Bonding to a dragon and living with them all the time has a physical effect on a male’s body. Gradually we change from the features we were born with into the features and coloring associated with Enforcers.”
She eyed his sky-blue mane. “Can you choose the color?” If there was a way to keep her fire-truck red hair without resorting to an alchemist she intended to be all over it.
“Our hair, eyes and skin tone change over time.” Shay lifted a nonchalant shoulder. “Most of us simply accept what we get.”
Fascinating. Sorcha wondered what changes she might undergo now that she’d be living at the den in close proximity to Tengale and Jaysada.
Tollanare looked over her head and stepped forward. “It looks like everyone’s ready. Shall we?”
Jax gave him a nod. “Of course, Councilor.”
Tollanare led the way and the dragon riders followed, each pair deliberately bracketing one of the women. With body language alone the Enforcers were staking a claim for the care and welfare of the rescuees.
Sorcha and her new friends were taken to the infirmary and thoroughly examined by medical personnel. They were also given privacy to bathe and change into what passed for regular clothing on Gemarra. Chemise, corset, stockings, half-boots, petticoat and a day dress complete with bustle appeared as if by magic. The maids at Addestet House certainly knew their business and within an hour the women were clean, dressed and turned out in a manner far more appropriate than a robe and blanket. Though not as comfortable, Sorcha was forced to admit. She’d hated wearing the robe but she certainly hadn’t missed the constriction of a corset and long skirt.
Eventually they were ushered into a large dining room crowded with what seemed to be wall-to-wall Enforcers—the ten who had gone on the rescue mission, plus Shay and Torisayle. Tollanare took his seat at the head of the table and the women sat in chairs that ran down its length. Chelsea and Tansy sat together, still holding hands. As soon as the women were settled, Jax and the den captains took their seats while the other Enforcers stood along the walls.
“Ladies. Welcome to Sapphire,” Tollanare said. “I am glad to have you in my home and you are all welcome to stay for as long as you wish.” He looked the women over, his concern obvious and apparently quite genuine. “I’m sure you want nothing more than to forget what happened and move forward. We will help you do that when the time is right but for now I must ask you to indulge me. I need you to be brave enough to tell me what happened to you.”
Sorcha leaned forward to catch Jax’s attention. “Why?”
“To keep you safe,” Jax replied. “What happened to you isn’t just immoral; it’s illegal under Ivastan law. The men involved in your captivity have authority and influence and they aren’t going to roll over without a fight. I can promise you and your friends that what is said in this room goes no further. We will keep your confidence but we can’t protect you if we don’t know who is coming after us. And Tollanare can’t take steps to reverse the corruption in the Council if he doesn’t know who to target.”
Sorcha looked at Shay. “At least three councilors were involved that I know about. Why should we trust your brother?”
“Because I trust him. And if he fucks up he’ll have to answer to every Enforcer in this room.”
She swiveled to look Tollanare in the eye. “Not just the Enforcers. If you betray our trust I’ll send Tengale and Jaysada after you and every family member you hold dear—except for Shay. Are we clear?”
Tollanare paled, swallowed and finally nodded his head. “Understood.”
“All right then.” Sorcha addressed the other women. “You can disclose as much or as little as you wish but the Enforcers need to know what they’re up against. An
d I suspect Tollanare won’t be truly motivated until he understands the depths to which these influential men have sunk.”
Sorcha also believed that the best way to ease a burden was to share it. She spoke first in the hope that her honesty and willingness to confront what happened would encourage the other women to do the same.
They each took their turn. Sorcha, Kate, Tansy, Sara and Mackenzie. At times the recitation was cold and stony and at others it was hot and angry. There were also more tears than any of them had felt safe enough to shed until now.
By the time they were done all the men were livid, including Tollanare, and the atmosphere was so thick Sorcha could hardly breathe. It wasn’t the kind of environment any of them needed to be in right now.
“Tollanare, may I ask a favor?”
“Of course, Sorcha.”
“We’re all a bit wrung out and I think the best thing for us is a dose of normalcy. Do you think we could open the drapes and windows to let in the fresh air and sunshine?”
Rye, Behr, Rowan and Tori were moving before she finished her question. Within moments the room was flooded with light and the scent of warm grass and flowers.
Rye came up behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “You seem to have a good feel for this, Sorcha. Do you think a light meal would be a good idea?”
Not just good, brilliant. It would give the women time to collect themselves and give them a chance to pretend everything was normal for a while. “Lunch sounds good. We can begin educating our newest residents about the township and the den.”
Tollanare rang for one of his many servants and Sorcha chivvied the women to their feet, forcing them to mix with the Enforcers whether they wanted to or not. Regardless of their mental state or the horrors that they had experienced in Allsgate nothing would keep them safe like an Enforcer. The faster the women recognized that fact the more secure they would all be.