As if parted by unseen hands, the shadows gave way to tall, pale creatures with regal bearing and hypnotic grace. One wrapped long, lean arms around Sara before she realized what was happening. The attacker clasped one hand over her mouth and trapped her arms against her sides with the other. Her eyes flew open wide, and then her entire body was jerked backward. The impact jarred her captor and the hood of his cloak dislodged, revealing his angular features and strange, teal-colored hair. Arton was right, elf was the only way to describe him.
They were being attacked by Arton’s dream elves!
Lily screamed and the shrill sound snapped Thea out of her terrified paralysis. She raced forward, determined to help Sara. But the elf was much too fast. He disappeared into the trees, dragging Sara with him, a sardonic smile curving his lips. Thea ran after them, but there was no hint of which direction they had gone.
“Fuck!” she shouted, exasperated by her helplessness. Then another scream spun her around.
More elves rushed into their tiny clearing. One grabbed Heather, dragging her backward off the rock. Another lunged for Lily, but she twisted away just in time. Heather was already out of sight.
Thea picked up a tree branch and swung it at Lily’s attacker. A small mob of Outcasts splashed across the river, growling and yelling terrifying war cries as they came. Two thirds spread out through the trees, chasing after the missing females and their abductors. The rest raced toward Lily and Thea.
Lily’s attacker turned to flee and found a wall of enraged males instead of trees. He darted to the right and Thea swung her branch, catching him hard across the midsection. He grunted and tossed back his long golden hair, snarling at her in a language she couldn’t understand. Judging from his furious expression, whatever he’d said was hateful and profane.
Then, for no apparent reason, the elf collapsed. His features went slack and his knees buckled, pulling his unconscious body to the leafy ground.
Thea heard the men around them whisper “harbinger” and looked over her shoulder. Arton and Rex stood there, protective rage twisting their handsome features. Arton’s gaze was glowing.
“Mate,” Arton held out his arms and Lily ran to him.
Rex ran to Thea and pulled her into his arms. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
“Did they harm anyone else?”
“They took Sara and Heather. Ran off that way.” Thea pointed in the direction the elves had taken the two women.
“They’re already being pursued,” one of the shirtless Outcasts said, “but we could use Xorran.”
Rex nodded and glanced past her. “Dravon to Xorran, emergency interrupt.” After a pause, he said, “Two of the females have been kidnapped. We need you now.” He nodded even though the tracker couldn’t see him. “Copy that.”
Once he finished, Thea wrapped her arms around Rex, shaking uncontrollably. “I just stood there,” she whispered as shame tore through her. “I watched as two of my friends were dragged away. I did nothing.”
“Hush, love.” He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. “There is nothing you could have done, except become a captive yourself.”
Rex rotated a half turn, taking Thea with him. She could see the others now. Lily was sitting on the log and Arton knelt beside the fallen elf, binding his wrists with...were those vines?
“What the hell happened?” Kage’s deep voice boomed as he splashed across the river, looking unusually flustered.
“Did you get lost?” Rex asked, though his tone lacked its usual humor.
“I took Arton literally and flashed to the other side of the river. Teleportation is a tricky thing.” He ran his hand through his hair, then looked at Arton. “Fill me in.”
“My imaginary elves attacked.” Arton stood and nudged the fallen attacker with the toe of his boot. “Guess this one doesn’t exist either.”
“They took Sara and Heather,” Rex informed, obviously in full support of Arton’s bitterness.
“Shit!” Kage looked around with new interest. “How many ran after them?”
“Maybe twenty,” Rex said.
“Would air support help?” Arton asked. “The trees are thick, but they could use thermo-imaging.”
Kage nodded once, then turned away, muttering under his breath.
It took Thea a minute to realize he was dispatching people, organizing search parties and launching ships all from a few feet away.
“What can I do?” Thea asked. “I can’t just stand here.”
Kage must have heard her. He whipped his head around, but looked at Rex. “Get her out of here. In fact, take Lily too. I need Arton undistracted by his mate.”
She felt Rex tense, but he nodded and motioned for Lily to come with them. Reluctantly she obeyed after kissing Arton one last time.
“The hunting parties will get them back,” Thea insisted in response to Lily’s stricken expression.
“If they’d just listened to Arton.” Tears slid down her cheeks and she shook her head. “He tried to warn everyone that the elves were real. No one would listen.”
Thea wrapped her arm around Lily’s shoulders. It calmed Thea to focus on someone else.
“Everyone is listening now.” Rex’s voice was dry. He still sounded annoyed. Was he upset that no one believed Arton, or was Rex miffed by being sent away with the women? He was guarding his emotions, but she could still feel his frustration.
They took Lily to her cabin and Thea insisted on staying until Lily was calmer. Rex easily agreed. He went and made drinks while the women situated themselves in the small living room area. Lily moved immediately to one of the chairs, so Thea sat on the sofa.
It was easier to reassure Lily than dwell on her own fear and disappointment, so she said, “I’ve heard Xorran is amazing. As soon as he arrives they’re as good as found.”
Lily looked at her dubiously. “Have you even met Xorran?”
With a sheepish smile, Thea shook her head.
“Less than a month ago, he was one of the bad guys. What’s to keep him from switching sides again?”
Rex walked to Lily and handed her a glass of whatever he’d printed, likely blish or Bilarrian blood wine. “I’ve known Xorran for years. He had damn good reason for switching sides and there is zero chance he’ll do so again.”
Rather than argue with him, Lily took a sip from her glass and stared off into space.
“You and Arton are linked now. How clearly can you sense him?”
“He’s shielding his end of the connection. He only does that when he’s really upset.”
“He’s angry and he—”
“He has every right to be angry,” Lily snapped. “This might have been prevented if Kage would have taken Arton seriously. They’ve known each other for decades. The overlord should have known better.”
“Placing blame doesn’t accomplish anything,” Thea said softly. “Everyone was wrong for doubting Arton, but you must admit his claims were bizarre.”
Lily finally looked at her and offered a tentative smile. “What? You don’t believe in pastel-colored elves?”
“I do now.” Thea shuddered. “They were so beautiful and so terrifying. I’m not sure if I’ll have surreal dreams or nightmares.”
“Hold on.” Lily held up her index finger, then averted her gaze. Her lips moved but she didn’t speak out loud. She nodded and then her gaze cleared, and she blinked several times. “Xorran picked up their trail and Arton’s headed back. You two can leave if you’d like to. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”
Rex shook his head, knowing this was important to Thea. “We’ll wait. I’d like to speak to him anyway.”
Thea shot him a questioning look but didn’t ask.
True to Lily’s prediction, it only took Arton a few minutes to arrive. Rex immediately stood and crossed to the harbinger. “Can I talk to you for a minute, preferably alone?”
Arton looked at his mate, likely reassuring her telepathically. Then he motione
d toward the adjoining bedroom.
Rex moved into the room and Arton triggered the door behind them.
“What?” The curt question was typical of the harbinger.
“You’re right.” He paused making sure the phrase sank in. “This is one fight in which I can’t remain neutral. These people are too important to Thea. Besides, they threatened my mate. No one gets away with that!”
“Is she your mate? I’m not as good at sensing links as Kage, but I still don’t sense a soul bond.”
Damn the man could be surly when he wanted to be. “I have every confidence that she will accept my claim. Do you want my allegiance or not?”
Suddenly Arton chuckled, and then slapped Rex on the back. “I knew you’d come around. Too bad it took a female to get you there. You can tell Kage first thing in the morning. We’re going to discuss new strategies with all the department heads, and you should be there.”
Semi-amused by Arton’s mercurial mood, Rex allowed himself a smile. “I’ll be there.”
“Good. Then get out of my cabin. I want to take my mate to bed.”
Rex’s smile spread. “Think I’ll do the same.”
Thea and Lily had already said goodbye and Thea was standing near the door when Rex emerged from the bedroom. She looked tired but lovely. The tired part worried him. He threaded their fingers together as they left the Viper and headed back to the Marauder.
“You immediately focused on Lily.” He waited to speak until they were outside and relatively alone. “But this had to have upset you.”
“Of course I’m upset. Two of my friends were kidnapped tonight.” After a tense pause, she added, in an ashamed whisper, “And I just stood there like a useless fool.”
“You were swinging a tree branch when I arrived. When did you just stand there?”
“When the blueish-green-haired one grabbed Sara. He grinned at me as he dragged her into the trees, looked right at us and smirked. I wanted to scratch his eyes out and then shove a knife between his ribs!”
“Wow. That’s a detailed reaction.”
She punched him in the arm. “The details might have come later, but I can’t get that smile out of my mind.”
“Let me see if I can help with that.” He quickly constructed an erotic image of what he intended to do with her very soon and gently pushed it into her mind.
“Rex,” she cried, looking slightly embarrassed. “We’re in the middle of a crisis. We can’t...you know.”
“Of course we can. In fact that’s the exact reason why we should. I nearly lost you tonight.” He squeezed her hand. “I never want to feel that terror again.”
She stopped walking and faced him. “You were terrified of losing me?”
“Why does that surprise you?” He chuckled as he shook his head. “Haven’t you figured it out, baby doll? You’re my whole damn world. Forget that, you’re my universe, the air I breathe. I’m not sure I want to be in a world without you.”
Suddenly tears filled her eyes and her lips began to tremble.
He framed her face with his hands and tilted her head back. “Why does that make you cry?”
“Because I know it’s true. I can feel it flowing from you in waves.” A sob tore from her and she angrily wiped her tears on the back of her hand. “I don’t know if I can love you the way you love me.”
“So love me in your own way. I’m not greedy.”
The claim drew another sob from her, so he lowered his mouth to hers and gently pushed tenderness and soothing warmth into her mind. You’re still healing, love. I’m shocked you feel anything at all.
That brought a surge of happiness and her arms wrapped around him. I do love you, Rex, much more than I thought possible. But you’ve set the bar pretty damn high.
Now that was more like the Thea he knew and loved, the feisty tigress who faced off with villains and swung tree branches at nefarious elves. It’s not a contest. Take your time. I know you’ll get it right.
Then she slowly pulled away and blinked back her tears, smiling up at him instead. “Lily made a suggestion, and after serious consideration, I think it’s a good idea.”
“A suggestion about you and me?”
“Yes. Humans have a custom called getting engaged. Have you ever heard of it?”
“Is that like hooking up?” He grinned, then pinched her butt.
She slapped his hand away. “I’m serious. Couples who are dating, or courting, like you and me, have several choices on Earth.”
“With Rodytes there is only one, yes or no.”
“I’m aware and so is Lily. That’s why she brought this up. Now stop joking around. This is serious.”
“Sorry.” He wiped all expression off his face, but he still thought she was adorable. “Please continue.”
“If a couple decides it isn’t working out, they can break up.”
His gaze narrowed. “I presume that’s not an option for us.”
“Of course not,” she said and he relaxed. “Now couples who want to take things to the next level can progress in a couple of ways. They can move in together, which we’ve basically done. They can also become engaged. This is done when a couple intends to marry and spend the rest of their lives together, but they need time to plan the wedding or just to make sure they’re emotionally ready for that large a commitment.”
This was sounding better and better. “If we took this next step, you would commit to becoming my mate after a fixed period of time?”
“Exactly.” She stilled and sadness crept into her gaze. “Rex, I love you very much, but I feel it’s disrespectful to my family to rush right into another permanent relationship.”
He kissed her forehead and let her feel his love. “I won’t rush you. I told you that from the start.”
“I know, and it’s because of your patience that I learned to trust you so quickly. I can’t think of a reason why I wouldn’t let you claim me. I sure as hell don’t want anyone else. But I need a few more months to transition from the past to the present. They deserve that much at least.”
“Then we will do this engagement thing. If it makes you more comfortable with accepting my claim, I am happy to wait. Well, maybe not happy, but willing.”
“Then there is another tradition on Earth.”
“You do remember I’m not human, right?” He flashed his best pirate smile.
“Well, your mate is, and this is important to me.”
“Then please explain.” He fisted his hand over his heart and bent slightly forward. “Anything you want, you have only to ask.”
“I need you to go down on one knee and ask me to...accept your claim.”
His gaze shot back to hers, then narrowed. Should he tell her that was all it took for their bonding to start? Never! He would not trick her into this. He wanted her willing or not at all. “If your intention is to accept my claim, I cannot do this now.” Hurt flashed into her eyes, so he rushed on. “If I ask ‘do you accept my claim’ and you respond that you do, it will start the bonding process. I will not claim you until you agree to it without reservation.”
“Thank you for being honest. Many would have allowed me to hang myself with this silliness.”
“It’s not silly. It’s clearly important to you, and anything that’s important to you is important to me.” He sank to one knee and gathered her hands between his. “Will you agree to accept my claim at the end of our engagement?” He chose the words carefully, ensuring that they did not inadvertently trigger the bonding.
She smiled, joy and excitement rippling into his mind. “Yes. At the end of our engagement, I will accept your claim and willingly become your mate.”
He whooped softly, not wanting the guards to come running, then kissed her deeply to seal the vow. “By the way,” he whispered against her lips. “How long will our engagement last?”
She grinned. “Maybe six months, maybe three. Maybe even less if you’re a very good boy.”
“Boy?” He picked her up and wrapped her legs ar
ound his waist, then walked forward until her back was pressed against a thick tree trunk. “I haven’t been a boy for a very long time. Would you like a demonstration of my virility?”
“Absolutely, but not with tree bark tearing up my back.”
“Fair enough.” He stepped back and let her legs slide to the ground. “Then you better hurry or you’ll be picking leaves out of your hair for the next week.”
She laughed and took off at a run. “Last one to our cabin has to rub the other’s feet.”
He slowed his pace knowing how much his soon-to-be-mate loved her feet rubbed and how easily he could work his way up her shapely legs.
Epilogue
Infuriated beyond reason, Isolaund slammed her hand against the scanner and impatiently waited for the door to unlock. The locking mechanism disengaged with a hiss and she jerked the door open and stormed inside. The tiny room was tucked away in the back of one of the training chambers. “Have you lost your mind?” Her voice echoed off the stone walls, her tone cold and cutting, like the blade she longed to drive through Toxyn’s disloyal heart. “I told you I wanted to be there.”
Toxyn shrugged, his nonchalance bordering on insolence. “I don’t require supervision.”
“Obviously you do! I agreed to a fire, the destruction of a building with no occupants. This—“ she gestured sharply toward the human females, bound, gagged and cowering against the far wall, “was never the plan!”
Toxyn squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “The opportunity arose and I chose to improvise. If you cannot see the potential of this opportunity, you don’t deserve to lead the insurrection.”
“An ‘insurrection’ is an uprising in opposition to a ruling power or government. We are—or at least I am—simply defending my world against invaders. If anyone is staging an insurrection, it’s the Outcasts.”
He waved his hand impatiently. “Syntax. You know what I meant.”
His obvious ignorance only fueled her anger, and general frustration. Those intelligent enough to assist her lacked the courage and those courageous enough to be helpful were idiots! “Many wars have been fought over less. Do you have any idea what the Outcasts will do once they realize these females are missing?” Toxyn shrugged again and she wanted to slap him, then punch him in the face. “The goal is to motivate them to pack up and leave. Do you think they’ll leave while two of their females are in peril?”
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