by Lexi Ander
Sūnder’s snarling growl caused Gabe to jump. “Why the inspection?” Sūnder’s question was barely understandable through his growl.
The guard finally glanced away from Gabe. “King Valiant’s orders after the attempt on your life today. I shall need to see his—” the Faelÿn cocked his head toward Gabe, “—identification.”
The growl that rumbled in Sūnder’s chest deepened, warning of more than a hint of danger. Gabe placed a staying hand on Sūnder’s thigh, both to restrain him and brace himself as he reached over for the guard to scan his palm. He settled back into his seat, keeping hold of Sūnder, and they waited as his credentials were inspected. The almost secretive smile on the Faelÿn’s face when he read the data screen was odd. Was the effect caused by the extra-long teeth, or was Gabe being paranoid?
The guard pressed the small, opaque screen adhered to the side of his head as if listening. “You are cleared to enter, Your Highness. The helliopod is awaiting you on the landing field.” Much to Sūnder’s irritation, the Faelÿn gave Gabe a flirty wink before turning away.
As they drove through the gates, Sūnder was agitated and Paulo frowned. Gabe just wanted to find a quiet place to pass out. The ache behind his eyes had grown to epic proportions.
The vehicle stopped behind the embassy building where a helliopod sat warming up. A cross between an old-time helicopter, jet, and space shuttle, the helliopod incorporated the best of all three, allowing planetside travel and the ability to break out of the atmosphere. A dozen knights boarded with Gabe and Sūnder. Once they were strapped in, Gabe leaned against Sūnder and closed his eyes to fight off the oncoming migraine.
~:~
When Gabe roused, Sūnder was carrying him out of the helliopod and onto the orbital space station. He blinked himself awake, annoyed he was sleeping through his first time offworld. What had he already missed? He smacked Sūnder on the chest. “Sūnder, put me down.”
It looked as if Sūnder would argue, but instead, he carefully lowered him to his feet when Gabe narrowed his eyes at him, silently daring him to object. Although the space station was much larger than Gabe had thought it would be, the observation windows everywhere made it feel even more enormous. Outside, the spaceships docked to the station were all shapes and sizes.
Drawing Gabe closer to one of the windows, Sūnder pointed to something off in the distance. “My warship, the Oberon, is there.”
Gabe side-eyed Sūnder, and grinned. “King of the Fairies, huh?”
“The name seemed right when I chose it.” Sūnder’s cheeks darkened. “One of my first trips to Earth, I was gifted a book of Shakespearean plays and became fascinated with how similar the fey of A Midsummer Night’s Dream were to L’fÿns.”
Turning his attention back to the Oberon, Gabe couldn’t help but admire the sleek lines of the warship. From this distance, the shape was reminiscent of a leaping jaguar. Once the realization struck, the more the image coalesced, becoming sharper. Was it intentional, or lucky coincidence? “She’s stunning.” Gabe looked up at Sūnder, meaning what he’d said. Sūnder beamed with evident pride. “I thought she was docked with the station?”
“Once the darkhunters were taken aboard we pulled her out for the safety of the station.”
Before they left the window, Gabe took a good look at the moon. The lights of the city of Maré Nectaris lit up the dark Sea of Nectar. Pierce had reserved two weeks at a resort hotel for them there, but now, Pierce’s leaving seemed to have happened in a different life. Gabe had always played things safe, yet here he was taking chances, no longer sure what tomorrow would bring. Unlike the past, he could no longer project where his future was headed. Panic clawed at him, seeking an escape.
But only for a moment. The scent and feel of Sūnder wrapped around him, reminding Gabe why the change was worth the uncertainty.
13
WRAPPED COMFORTABLY around Gabe’s firm form, Sūnder slowly roused from a deep sleep. The heady scent filling his nose soothed him as he recalled standing outside Gabe’s door, the cloud of Gabe’s distraught emotions heavy and cloying. At the time, the most dominant odor had resembled that of a wild animal, fleeing and terrified. The aroma had burned Sūnder’s sensitive nostrils, filling him with dread, fear that he was too late. Too late to soothe Gabe. Too late to catch him. Sūnder had been positive that when he entered the loft Gabe would be gone, never to be found again. In that moment of surety, Sūnder had been crushed by the belief Gabe had run from him. Abandoned him.
The beast in him had risen and, instead of knocking like a civilized being, he’d kicked the door down. Only to find Gabe standing on the threshold of the kitchen, eyes wide with astonishment. But the consuming, frantic feeling of being lost hadn’t eased. The scent of panicky flight was in the apartment too, even more strongly, and although it seemed he’d stopped Gabe before he could sneak away, the agony of knowing Gabe wanted to leave had burned him, causing him to bellow in rage.
Sūnder had known he wanted Gabe from the beginning, and he’d thought he’d have the patience to court him, to win over his trust. But the day’s events had conspired against him, ripping everything Sūnder had so carefully worked for to pieces. He was sure that, given more time, Gabe would allow Sūnder within his formidable walls, grow to love him, and then one day come home with him. But before it had a chance to happen, Gabe had seen him in battle, mercilessly spilling the blood of another being. That, along with the Ènts coming to Gabe’s aid and what Sūnder had shown Gabe earlier in the park, had been too much for his Gabe to bear.
Humans were such curious and confounding creatures, so vastly different from each other in customs and beliefs but at the same time, at their core, so very alike. How many times throughout history had they discounted what they’d seen with their own eyes? Sūnder had feared this was what Gabe was doing: running from what he’d learned of Sūnder, convincing himself he’d temporarily lost his mind, hallucinated, and the afternoon hadn’t really happened. Why would Gabe want to remember such horrifying sights? Everything Sūnder had learned about Gabe indicated that before they’d met, he had been cautious, taking few risks and avoiding uncertainty.
When Gabe purged the toxins, Sūnder had never been so terrified in all his life. He’d never witnessed such an act before, and knew that if Gabe hadn’t been there, hadn’t given in to his caretaker instincts, Sūnder would have become very sick. He’d always been able to process toxins from the forest before, although sometimes he was overly tired afterward. Drained. But the substance he’d picked up in the park had been different to any he’d ever handled. This pollutant was heavier, cloying to his senses, and when he drew it into himself the essence spread over him instead of dissipating as it should. Gabe had pulled the muck off him, saving him. How Gabe could do such a thing confounded Sūnder, but there hadn’t been time to ponder it before the darkhunters interfered. Up to that point Gabe had been all right. Afraid, yes, but not overwhelmed to the point of flight.
Even when Gabe had allowed Sūnder to scent his skin, even then, Sūnder had struggled to calm down. Gabe had said he wasn’t leaving and, given a few long moments, Sūnder had finally believed him. He’d never been so out of control of his emotions or actions before. Ever. His reaction to the thought of losing Gabe had been so deeply visceral he’d thought he’d go mad with grief.
Gabe moaned in his sleep and rolled restlessly. Sūnder purred, running the ridges of his nose along Gabe’s forehead, and Gabe stilled, inhaling deeply, as if taking in Sūnder’s scent. He smiled softly when dark eyes blinked up at him, pleased when Gabe pressed further into him.
“Don’t you get tired of rubbing your scent onto me?” Gabe grumbled groggily.
“Never,” he replied, allowing vehemence to seep into that one word. “How do you feel?” Sūnder could read the answer from Gabe’s scent, but he’d learned a valuable lesson today about scent versus human actions.
“Better now I’ve had some sleep. How long were we out?”
“About fifteen
hours.”
“That would explain why I’m starving.” Gabe buried his nose in the curve of Sūnder’s neck, the huff of Gabe’s breath across his skin arousing.
Distracted, he rumbled his agreement. A slight tenderness attested to how long it had been since he’d worked out so vigorously; he would be muscle-sore for the next few days. And the gnawing ache in his belly reminded him that he should have already eaten, especially after such a strenuous battle. But he’d been disinclined to leave the protective cocoon of his sleeping quarters just yet. He and Gabe needed to talk before they did anything else; however, he was hesitant to broach the subject with Gabe so recently upset and out of sorts.
“I can practically feel you thinking.” Gabe pulled away from Sūnder, the air cooling his skin where Gabe’s head had rested. “I have a ton of questions I hope you can answer.”
“I shall do my best, or else find someone who can.” Sūnder searched Gabe’s eyes—wariness and a dash of fear, which was understandable—but nothing in Gabe’s expression was shuttered or… closed against Sūnder, as it had been when Gabe retreated to his loft.
“Good. But first, I really have to piss, and we need to eat. I can’t think on an empty stomach.” Gabe rolled to rise but Sūnder caught him first, swooping down for a quick kiss before he released Gabe. Mumbling about proper kisses and morning breath, Gabe walked naked to the lavatory.
Sūnder rose to dress and, since he was on his ship, withdrew one of his military uniforms: stiff green trousers and a pristine white shirt that held the regalia of his rank. Gabe sauntered back to the bed and lay on his stomach. The way Gabe watched his every move felt like a caress, and when Sūnder turned to don his boots he stopped in his tracks, momentarily stunned by Gabe’s beauty. His golden-bronze skin against the crisp white sheets almost seemed to glow with otherworldliness. Gabe’s fists were stacked one atop the other, his chin resting on them while he watched Sūnder, those deep, ebony eyes that always drew Sūnder in hinting at carnal promises. What he wouldn’t give to be able to spend a lifetime running his fingers through Gabe’s glossy black hair. To hell with it. Sūnder reached to undo his pants, determined to—
And Gabe’s stomach growled loudly enough that Sūnder heard the noise from where he stood. Giving a rueful grin, Gabe sighed and rolled out of bed to pull clothes from his large duffle bag.
Once they left the cabin, Sūnder took Gabe’s hand, proud his men would see Gabe with him, scent that Gabe was off limits to all. On the way to the dining room, Sūnder gave Gabe a quick tour, pointing out landmarks since Gabe couldn’t read the language on the signs; he needed to ensure Gabe received a data pad with an English copy of the ship’s layout by the end of the day.
The scents in the corridor told Sūnder who awaited them in the officer’s dining room well before the door swished open. As they entered, Válora turned from where she was setting the large table for three. Sūnder returned her huge smile, surprised but pleased beyond measure. A tension he hadn’t been aware he carried eased when he laid eyes on his mother.
“Gabriel, Sūnder, I am glad to see you awake.” Servants bearing her house sigil and colors of white, green, and yellow set out platter after platter of food. Had she planned on more than three for the meal?
Sūnder stepped forward to greet her but didn’t move far from Gabe, his tail remaining wrapped around Gabe’s wrist.
Her brilliant blue eyes suspiciously bright, Válora took Sūnder’s face between her palms, as was her habit in greeting him. “My son,” she said on a breathy whisper, her steely countenance in direct conflict with how vulnerable she sounded.
Concerned, Sūnder placed his hands over hers. “Mother, what is the matter?” Never had Sūnder seen her so… happy and angry at the same time.
“We will speak once you and your Gabriel have had sustenance.” She straightened, then stepped around Sūnder to Gabe. “May I greet you, Gabriel?”
“Um, yes?” Something indefinable crossed Gabe’s expression, and Sūnder barely kept from drawing Gabe to his side. “And please call me Gabe, Princess Válora.”
Válora flashed him a quick grin before cupping Gabe’s face, much as she had Sūnder’s, and rubbing her nose ridges along Gabe’s cheeks. His eyes fluttered closed, obviously treasuring Válora’s soft, motherly touch.
“Gabriel St. Baptista, courtier of my son’s heart, welcome to my table. Please take advantage of the bounty I have laid before you.” She took a half step back, still cupping Gabe’s face. “Sūnder has chosen his future mate well.”
A faint pink bloomed across Gabe’s cheeks.
“Come,” she said with a satisfied smile, “let us eat.”
Gabe blinked rapidly, and cleared his throat. Sūnder took mercy on him and drew him close to his chest, wrapping him in an embrace. For a second, Gabe was stiff in Sūnder’s arms before he pressed into Sūnder’s side. Dropping a kiss on the top of his head, Sūnder led him to a seat at the table.
As they filled their plates, Gabe on his left and Válora on his right, Válora suggested foods Gabe might try, explaining flavors and textures. Whether from Válora’s company or because the food was strange to his sight, Gabe’s answers to Válora’s probing questions regarding his food preferences were stilted at first, but given time he relaxed. Sūnder sat back and allowed them a chance to become acquainted, growing more pleased with every passing minute. When Gabe laughed and graced Válora with one of those rare smiles Sūnder hungered for, Válora straightened in her seat, her brow climbing her forehead in surprise before she returned the delighted gesture.
“Tell me of your family, Gabe,” Válora asked over dessert, a candied fruit that was one of Sūnder’s favorite treats. The pleased hum Gabe made as he ate indicated he shared Sūnder’s taste in this particular food.
Instead of withdrawing as Sūnder expected, Gabe leaned an elbow on the table and gave Válora all his attention. “I’ve been thinking about that since A’ymon called me ‘guardian’, as if it was a title of some sort. I’m assuming it’s an L’fÿn thing, since they were the ones who labeled me. The darkhunters surrendered, some running off yelling as if they were heralding the return of something long lost, and the dròw treated me with deference, but the Panthrÿns were just as confused as I was over the title.”
Sūnder had noticed the behavior as well. When Gabe glanced at him for confirmation, he nodded. “I agree with your assessment. The title of Guardian meant something to L’fÿns, both dròw and not.” Unease slithered through Sūnder. Who was Gabe to L’fÿns?
Gabe’s lips pursed slightly, his gaze unfocused as if he considered his next words carefully. “But I’m human, and I’m not sure how it would, or even if it should, apply to me. Maybe I have a bit of non-human hidden in my ancestry somewhere? I mean, there has always been speculation about L’fÿns possibly crash-landing on Earth because of all the similarities between our lore of elves and the truth of L’fÿns…. I’d always thought the notion ridiculous, but I’m not so sure anymore.”
Válora’s brow furrowed. “Do you find similarities in your family line?”
Gabe frowned. “Actually, no, which is confusing. I don’t know much about my mother’s family; she refused to talk about them. I always had the impression her parents passed away when she was young and she was like me: an only child. Maybe there’s something there? On my father’s side, I was told my grandfather was Italian-African American. I think my grandmother was Native American, but I’m not sure. She deflected my questions whenever I asked. She was the one who gave me her love of nature.” His gaze returned to Sūnder. “You’ve seen my loft. All the plants used to belong to her.”
Sūnder reached out and clasped Gabe’s hand. He’d meant to speak with Gabe regarding his indoor garden after he’d shown Gabe how he worked his magick. He’d hoped that once Gabe interacted with the plants in the park, he would be more open to the questions Sūnder had about the plants within his care. After everything that had transpired, Sūnder was hesitant to bring it up, but Gabe seem
ed receptive at the moment. He took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Your indoor garden, it is wide awake. The little sentinels poked and prodded at me in suspicion when I first arrived.”
Gabe’s eyes grew wide, shock filling his scent. “I don’t… don’t understand. Are you saying they are like the plants in the park?”
“Yes, and no. If your plants were from certain parts of the Jade Forest, their level of alertness would be unsurprising. But usually flora fall back into slumber when they are no longer stimulated by magick, especially here on Earth. On none of my visits to this planet have I come across vegetation not in deep hibernation. Until I entered your loft.”
Gabe nibbled on his bottom lip, his brows scrunched in thought. “How could I not know? The plants in the park spoke to and petted us. Grandmother’s plants have never…. I would’ve known, right? Wait, when we left—” Gabe quit torturing his lip. “I thought something was different about them before we left, but because so much had already happened I figured I might have imagined it. God, I’d been so overloaded with information I hadn’t had the time to process.”
And Sūnder was partly to blame. “I’m sorry.”
Gabe squeezed his hand. “Stop. What happened yesterday was nobody’s fault. It was just hard for me to grasp that something I considered fanciful was an actual reality. It’ll take some getting used to.” His smile wobbled and Sūnder hoped Gabe could come to accept, perhaps even welcome, how different his life would be if he chose to be Sūnder’s mate. Gabe squinted at Sūnder as if reading his mind, and Sūnder immediately dropped his gaze, not yet ready to share his thoughts.
Clearing his throat, Gabe said, “My grandmother died years ago. What could be keeping them awake? No one visits except Ronan. Pierce used to, but he’s been gone for months.”
Sūnder pulled his thoughts away from the future he wanted with Gabe and focused on the question. “When you’re around your plants, do you feel they’re strangely quiet? Perhaps you have a small talent you were unaware of.” Gabe shook his head. “Do you think your friend Ronan could be more than human?”