“Did you see me with Sasha?” He held his breath as he awaited her answer. Jaron never asked his maman for details about his future for fear she would see his Chosen and when. At the time, he’d been scared. Petrified to know. Now he felt foolish.
Trelia tapped his cheek and stared into his eyes. “I have seen many beautiful images of my Jaronoto and his Chosen.”
Jaron stumbled, sweat breaking out on his temple. His pulse jumped then settled. She said Chosen not Sasha. “Maman, do not tell me.”
He wasn’t ready to hear that Sasha wasn’t a part of his future. His Chosen would obviously be a female he loved but right now, Jaron couldn’t think of anyone owning his heart besides Sasha.
His maman tipped her head to the side. “Your papan said to let you find your way. As the one who held you when you drew your first breath, wiped your tears and cheered your accomplishments, I find this hard to do. Three years is a long time to watch your only son suffer.”
Thunder pounded in his ears. His chest seized. She was going to tell him. He could see the truth in her eyes and she was going to destroy him because she loved him. “Maman, do not.”
“You love her, your kitten, so much you don’t wish to have hope in your heart to know the name and face of the female who would be your Chosen one day?”
If he had any doubt about the veracity of her sight concerning him and Sasha, her use of the name he called Sasha would have dispelled it. “I love Sasha more than the air I breathe. My heart is hers whether she wants it or not. If you see me with another in my future, it will mean Sasha is far beyond my reach. The only way I can imagine her out of my reach is through death. Please do not tell me my Sasha dies, Maman. I could not bear it.”
“If I didn’t already love you, I would after hearing that.”
Jaron felt every bit of color drain from his face at the sassy voice. He looked beyond his maman to the front entrance across the lobby. Standing inside the glass doors, arms folded over her chest was a vision he couldn’t have imagined.
“Sasha?!”
She walked toward him with a cocky smile, his every dream come true. The last few steps she ran and threw herself against his chest, arms going about his neck. “I love you, Jaron. I shouldn’t have stayed away.
“I shouldn’t have tricked you.”
They were talking over one another and it didn’t matter. Sasha clasped his face in her palms. “Please don’t ever lie to me. I couldn’t take it if you betrayed me again, for any reason.”
“Never again.” Jaron lifted her in his hold, Sasha’s grip about him unrelenting. “I will have the team medic implant a tracker in you and never let you go.”
Her smile widened. “Hmm, doesn’t sound like something I’d want.”
“I could change your mind. Give me a chance to try.” She laughed and no sound was sweeter. “How did you get here?”
“Your maman has a way about her.” Sasha’s look was full of secrets he knew he’d never get.
Over his shoulder his maman smiled and wiped at the tears in her eyes. Jaron arched his brows and almost collapsed with relief when she nodded and mouthed, “Your Chosen.”
Epilogue
Jaron woke in a rush, the nightmare hitting him with a familiar vividness. Sweat coated his bare chest, his heart thundering in his ears. Sasha mewled and curled into a tighter ball on her side of the bed. He smoothed a hand down the slim line of her back and she settled with a low chuff.
The portable comm on his table buzzed. He answered and eased from the bed to keep from waking Sasha. Barefoot and naked he entered the cleansing room and closed the door behind him. “Maman.”
“How long has this been happening?” Trelia asked, her visage stern on the screen.
Jaron didn’t question how she knew. He did a quick calculation. “This year only. It is without pattern. Some months there are no dreams and others there are two or three in succession.”
All because of his time with The Collector, he’d already surmised. Jaron worried the chemicals had a far larger impact, igniting latent precog abilities similar to his maman and his sisters. He wasn’t certain if the dreams were future events or genuine nightmares brought on by his fear but they all centered around the death of Kyele and Sasha.
Trelia chewed her lip thoughtfully. “In all my visions, never have I seen you with the gift of sight.”
Jaron relaxed. His biggest worry was being able to portend the future even in a small capacity. His maman added, “If this changes, I will tell you. The future is not always set.” She winked. “Three years ago, I saw you in love with a blonde named Luna from Earth, your love for her clear and true. And yet now,” she lifted her shoulders. “Life bends and our paths change.”
Sasha had changed his path the moment she entered his life. They spoke a little more before ending the transmission and his promise to let her know if anything changed.
Jaron climbed back into the bed and Sasha immediately rolled into him, one leg going over his thigh and an arm about his waist. He didn’t even think about the female from Earth. Luna was happy with her Chosen and their child.
He kissed the tousled hair at Sasha’s temple. There was no way he could imagine his life with anyone other than the female who released a gentle purr moments later.
***
The next morning, they walked into a filled rec room. All three teams managed to be home at the same time. Shiloh and Raze played with one another on the floor while their parents looked on. Kyele had Joni cornered behind an alcove in his arms as he kissed her.
“The two of them are always touching.”
Sasha seemed fascinated as she stared at the couple. Jaron shrugged. He’d grown used to catching Kyele and Joni in passionate clenches. “It is good for him.”
Viktor ran toward them with a holo cube cradled in his chubby palms. Black hair curled about his head and his green eyes matched his papan perfectly.
Going to one knee, Jaron asked, “What do you have?”
Viktor held it up and Jaron was treated to a small replay of the Vargos battle from many years ago. This particular gruesome scene reflected a time when the Spectar army joined and helped. Several battle cruisers fired on the lone Vargos vessel until it exploded and the holo ended.
A three year old should not be privy to this. Jaron stood. “Where did you get it, Viktor?”
“Seppi Jaron, Saleyo gave me.”
Apparently, the General was still managing to visit Viktor. Jaron didn’t know if Kyele realized it or chose to pretend it wasn’t happening since his relationship with his papan was intricate and non-existent to say the least.
Sasha smirked and waited until Viktor skipped away to loop her arms about his neck. “Are you going to want one of those too?”
It took a second for the meaning to sink in. Jaron grinned. “Eventually. Right now, I want you to myself for a little while. We have plenty of time to think about children.”
Sasha relaxed. “Good because I’m not ready to give up bounty retrieving.”
Jaron teased the curls around her pointed ear. “You can be a Bounty Retriever for as long as you want, kitten. I do not need you to give up what you love for me.”
“Really? You don’t want me where you can see me at all times.”
He studied her expression to see if she was serious. Her green eyes gleamed and Jaron’s lips twitched. “Whatever you want works for me as long as you never leave me.”
He lifted the Chosen medallion suspended from a leather strap about his neck and held it up. “This says you are mine.”
Sasha snickered and kissed his chin. “What do you think your maman said when she spoke with Torkel to convince him to speak with the members of the presentation committee?”
Jaron grimaced. “There are some things I prefer not to know.”
His maman was equal to Torkel’s maman in force. All Jaron cared about was being allowed to call Sasha his legally and as of yesterday he could.
Author’s Note
Happy e
nd of the book everyone. What a ride! Jaron always said he didn’t want an Earth female but now he has someone even better. Sasha is the perfect Chosen for this mellow Jutak with a heart of gold. She’s feisty, she’s smart and she can handle life at his side.
I’ve been getting a ton of request for the next A World Beyond hero. Even my villains Nikol and Azar have had a few votes. At this time, I’m unsure who will spark my interest next and can’t leave you with a clue BUT I do have more stories planned for these wonderful soldiers as they fight for justice. With a little love thrown in.
As always, I ask you to leave review at the platform of your choice or spread the world about an author and the book you love. If you’re not already signed up to my newsletter or following me somewhere, come on over at www.michellehowardwrites.com. Every now and then I drop tidbits about future stories and my subscribers get exclusive content and early reveals.
Swipe, turn the page and all that good stuff to get a look at Relentless Fire (A Novel of the Dracol Book 2). Dragon shifters!
Michelle
Relentless Fire (Excerpt)
Chapter 1
Varyk huddled closer to Milana in an effort to protect her. He might be young, but his duty as the oldest by seconds required him to look after her. Milana shivered in his arms, her fat fingers pressed tight to her ears to block out the sounds. Varyk wished he could do the same but fear kept him from loosening his grip on his sister. Born together, she was his other half. Never had two Dracol been birthed at the same time of the same shell.
A gift, their mother declared.
An abomination, their father countered.
Shouts from the outer room were followed by a loud crash. Varyk winced and leaned over Milana to cover her as much as his small body could. Everything had happened so quickly. The fight escalating before anyone could stop it. Now Varyk and his sister hid under the bed in their room. The hiding place provided little coverage but to leave this space would be foolish. Their mother and father were yelling and fighting again.
Teela was once more doing her best to come between her children and their father, the King, Core of the Green. Some whispered madness held a lock on his mind. Others claimed the weight of the mantle proved too heavy. All Varyk knew was that the man who taught him to shift into his Dracol form with gentle coaxing no longer existed.
In recent years, his father grew short tempered, angry and quiet. Core was at his most dangerous when quiet. He lashed out at his advisor, grew discontent with his lira and in his finest moments he sought a target for the rising tide of his fury.
Varyk and Milana became his favorite outlet. He took to tearing them apart when they failed in his eyes, separating them when he knew how it frightened Milana. More and more Varyk learned to hide his interest in anything he liked for fear it would be taken away. His father loved ripping things from them and destroying it while demanding they watch.
“Leave, Core. Come back when you are calmer,” his mother pleaded from the outer room.
“Send the boy out, Teela. It’s time we see if he has what it takes to one day replace me.”
Varyk froze and a fine tremor rolled down his back. Dark and twisted, his father’s voice filled his veins with ice. His heart slammed harder against his chest and Milana whimpered. Varyk hated the fear. And in this moment, with the scent of his sister’s terror filling his nostrils, Varyk hated the King of the Green. The male threatening them was no longer his father.
“Move, Teela.”
“You will not touch them.”
Something hard slammed into the door followed by his mother’s pained shriek. Varyk jumped to his feet, breaking his sister’s hold. He threw blankets and toys over her hiding spot and darted toward the door. The wood splintered before he reached it, his father’s menacing presence filling the door way.
Malevolence slowly eased into the room, thick and cloying with every stride his father took. Varyk choked back a cry but refused to retreat. Behind his father, his mother’s body was sprawled across the floor. Her face tipped in his direction, pink lips parted. Tears burned and his throat tightened as he noticed her body angled in the opposite direction.
Sobs broke free and Core halted, planting his fists on his hips. Dressed in green leathers and a green vest parted down the middle, he presented an intimidating image. “You cry for the whore’s death?”
Varyk flinched, unsure of the meaning but not liking the tone his father used. Green hair fell from a center part to fall just below Core’s ears. Power flared in erratic ripples, pressing upon Varyk and frightening his other half.
“Answer me, boy!” His father suddenly screamed.
Varyk sniffled and wiped at the snot on his face. He didn’t know what to say. All he knew was that his mother was gone and nothing stood between his sister and this mad man except him. At ten years of age, he was no match for the King. Dracol were powerful beings, but none more so then the one who wore the mantle. The ancient symbol of power and gift from the goddess granted the wearer the strength of many.
Core took another step forward, his low growl pouring forth in an endless stream. Gold eyes which once glinted with laughter and pride now glowed with flashes of evil. Green scales covered one side of his face caught in a twisted partial shift.
“I should have snapped your neck after you drew your first breath. Two Dracol in the same shell.” His father’s lips curled in disgust. “Surely I should have heeded the sign and ignored your mother’s pretty begging.”
Terror danced along Varyk’s spine.
Core extended his hand and flexed his fingers. As if sensing his son’s worry, his demeanor changed. Became less threatening. “Come to me, son. It’s long past time to correct my error. I promise to make your death painless.”
Lips quivering, Varyk asked the most important question. “What of Milana?”
Core’s chuckle offered no reassurance. “Your sister will be safe. I vow it.”
Varyk didn’t believe him, but what choice did he have? He wasn’t strong enough to fight.
“Leave him alone.” Milana burst from beneath the bed, her thin body trembling as she raced crossed the room to stand in front of Varyk.
Core dropped the façade of tenderness. He glared from Milana to Varyk then flung his other hand out. Vaporous gas surged out.
“King Core, No.” Uvem, the king’s advisor entered the room, lines creasing his mouth and gaze drawn tight.
The green dissipated. Core glanced over his shoulder at the dark-haired man who’d been far more than friend. He was family, but the way his father glared stated he didn’t care or remember those years. If his father ignored Uvem there would be no help for them. Waves of fear engulfed Varyk and his bladder suddenly voided.
As with any of the recent bad moments in his life, Core noticed. His nose curled in disgust as he spat out, “Weak. By the scales, my son is weak.”
Weakness accurately described the way his limbs trembled. Varyk eased in front of Milana. She shook so hard her tiny body rocked him from behind.
“Sire, leave the little ones and come speak with me.”
A sneer twisted his father’s lips. “You forget yourself, Uvem.”
Saying no more, his father, the man Varyk had once admired, leaped forward and lashed out at Varyk. Before he could blink, pain ripped across his chest. He fell to the floor, his sister’s scream ringing in his ears. Varyk rolled to the side and pressed his hand to the burning sensation. Wet seeped between his fingers. His father laughed long and loud over Uvem’s roar.
Struggling to his knees, Varyk wobbled, his vision hazy. Core tossed Uvem across the room, sending his advisor to skid over the floor until his head slammed into the wall. Wasting no time, Core surged once more for Varyk.
Sharp talons bit through his thin shirt as his father lifted him with one hand and shook his small frame. His wet pants clung to his legs, the sour odor of urine making his heart race. Terror filled his throat, tears rolling down his cheek. “Father, please.”
“Silence!”
The Dracol sound of rage grabbed his attention. Varyk quivered and bit his tongue hard to keep from crying out. He knew in this moment his life would end, but faced his father with every bit of bravery his mother once praised him for. Amber eyes blazing with the glint of madness stared back.
Any facet of the proud man and respectable King who’d raised him was gone. The father who hugged him and soothed his worries no longer existed. Varyk swallowed, refusing to close his eyes as he prepared for death.
A low snarl came from behind Varyk right before his father’s hold slackened. He fell to the floor, legs crashing.
“No!” Uvem’s voice. The sound of running then the door opened wide. “Summon every warrior available.”
Varyk crawled to all fours. Feminine snivels sent him to his feet, urgency lending him strength. “Milana!”
His sister curled on the floor, beside his father’s limp body. Blood spattered her cheeks, a deeper stain on the front of her sleep gown. Varyk lurched up and ran toward her. Nothing must happen to his sister. They were one.
Boots stormed into the room, signaling the arrival of the Green. He spared them no glance. “Milana?”
She lifted her chin to meet his gaze. With wide eyes and a wobbling lip, she held up her hands and Varyk froze. From the forearm down, green scales covered her arms and sharp claws had replaced her hands. Females weren’t supposed to shift.
His gaze met the horror in her eyes. Varyk pressed her hands down, crowding close to shield her. “Make it go away, Milana. Hide it.”
Varyk worried others might take her ability as a sign their father’s rantings were right. Gazes already watched with suspicion due to their rare birth. Two born within one shell. An aberration.
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