“Well, I’m fine,” she repeated. “I hope Nia and Amun will have an amazing life together, and I’m sad I won’t get to be a part of it anymore.”
“Then you must enjoy your remaining moments with her and devise a solution for the future.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“Is it not?”
She chose silence over an immediate reply, giving consideration to his words. Bennu didn’t press for a response, merely led her down a flower strewn path until they reached the banquet lawn where the majority of the invited guests waited to see the bonded pair for the first time. Unlike human weddings, only the two witnesses attended the actual ceremony.
Torches lit the edges of the lawn and cast their gilded glow. In the center, an enormous bonfire burned in an elaborate frame of silver and gold shaped in a pyramid. Musicians played lively music, a concussive tribal beat that flowed through her and urged her to move. Nia and Amun circled the entire clearing, Veryn and Bennu mere steps behind them, and ended their circuit at a collection of silken pillows laid out in front of a pavilion draped with patterned blue silk on the northern edge. When Veryn stepped forward to follow, Bennu held her back, leading her instead to a second seating area on the eastern border.
“They sit all alone?”
“They may not be doing much sitting,” he replied, his low, husky voice full of innuendo she hadn’t realized the Lexar possessed.
“You mean…?”
“The celebration of a bonding encourages many to seek out pleasure and find their own happiness, in hopes that the positive energy will grant the bonded pair a long, productive, and happy union.”
“An orgy?”
His soft chuckle stirred her hair, and he set his warm palm against the small of her back. “Not as you humans know it. Couples will wander away to find a quiet spot should they feel the need. Others will dance and touch but go no further. Should Amun and Nia enter their khayma”—he gestured to the pavilion—“then the music and dancing will increase to support their union.”
“I had no idea. There's still so much about Lexar culture we don’t know.”
“We have many customs we value and do not share. You, Nia, and Dusty are among a small group of humans to have ever witnessed our bonding ceremony. You and Nia are the first to participate.”
“I’m honored.”
More, she was grateful to share it with him. Though she wondered if he felt the same. Ever since their night together, she hadn’t been able to get the psychic out of her head, constantly finding herself daydreaming about the feel of his hands on her breasts and the fullness of his cock within her.
Not that he seemed to feel the same. He hadn’t mentioned it again. Hadn’t visited her room onboard the Exemplar. Of course, she hadn’t gone to him either.
In fact, in the two weeks since their passionate morning in the gym, they had barely crossed paths onboard the ship. His duties kept him busy, and she devoted most of her waking hours to the lab. With only a day to spare before the wedding, she finally produced a viable mutagenic specimen.
Contrary to his threat to train her until she overcame him, they hadn’t had a single chance to see if there might be a repeat spar.
Maybe that would change tonight.
The night devolved into an endless blur of dancing around the fire, laughter, and good food. Veryn spun and twirled, sometimes by herself but more often with one of the many Lexar in attendance, male and female both. She even managed to coax Dusty into the celebrations, eventually passing the shy researcher off into Ibi-Ludim’s capable hands. When she went to find Bennu, she couldn’t find the towering Lexar anywhere.
“He said his goodbyes and left.”
Veryn spun around at the unexpected sound of Nia’s voice. Her friend was all smiles, cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
“What do you mean he said his goodbyes?”
“He came over, wished me and Amun well, and then excused himself. Said he would be leaving early.” She leaned in, the scent of sweet wine on her breath. “Didn’t he say anything to you?”
“He most certainly did not.”
“Oh, well, maybe he didn’t want to disturb your dancing.”
“He could have said something,” she grumbled, elated mood gone in an instant. So much for an intimate encore or even just a kiss. She’d likely never see him again.
“You know what you should do? Follow him.”
The audacious suggestion made Veryn raise a brow. She squinted at her friend, trying to determine how drunk Nia was. “Come again?”
“I mean, why not? He’s headed to the capital, and you’ll be headed there in a day or two yourself. You should smuggle yourself aboard and surprise him.”
“That is…”
“Absolutely brilliant?” Nia mimicked Veryn’s Albionian accent and beamed.
“Absolutely crazy.”
“Pfft. Crazy can be good. Go for it, girl. You know you want to. Your stuff is already set to be forwarded to the Britannia, and it won’t be like you’d need much for a seduction trip.”
Veryn stared at Nia’s waggling brows and burst out laughing, tears springing to her eyes. “I love you, you know that? But there are about a dozen things wrong with that plan, least of all the fact that I’d have to actually get on his ship. Not an easy feat.”
“I may have the codes,” her friend said in a singsong voice. “Bonus of being mated to the exarch.”
It was a crazy idea, but her friend’s mischief was infectious. Why shouldn’t she surprise the man by stowing away for what could very well be a pleasant day or two of travel? It wasn’t like she had anything better to do.
“All right, enabler, tell me everything. Then I order you back to your mate for some bonding of your own.”
6
Creeping onto Bennu’s personal vessel had to be the craziest idea she’d ever gone along with, and she had no one to blame but herself if it went badly.
And Nia for encouraging her with the idea to begin with.
Veryn had lost count of the hours she'd lain in the cramped storage space, enough that she really hoped Bennu wouldn't do an immediate about-face and fly back to the capital, but it was high time she made her presence known. Being discovered hiding with the luggage wasn't exactly appealing.
Carefully, she made her way up a nearby ladder to an access hatch she already knew led to the main compartment of the personal cruiser. She peeked out, made sure the room was clear, then crawled out and worked her way to the small sleeping compartment.
Her back creaked and her neck ached from the uncomfortable contortion she had to pull off. As she approached the sleeping compartment, the thundering noise of shower spray against a hard surface pelted a soothing rhythm.
Soft white light spilled from the shower stall located near the narrow sleeping compartment carved into the starboard bulkhead. Bennu stood bathed in its single light, water running in rivulets over a frame sculpted by years of training and combat. She stared, mouth watering.
Take what you want. Have fun.
Those had been Nia’s guiding words before she started off on this harebrained scheme, and Veryn intended to follow them. She shrugged off her clothes, stripping down, and took a deep breath before crossing the room and sliding open the door.
“Think you can fit one more in there?”
Bennu almost jumped out of his skin. He whirled to face her, dark hair slicked back from his face. The air warped with psionic energy and held.
His control was outstanding.
He could have flattened her. She’d been waiting, aware of how little she shared with him.
We know almost nothing about each other.
But Nia encouraged her—practically forced her to take the risky maneuver and do something wild and crazy for once in her life.
I’m here, because we barely know each other, and if I don’t pursue this, I’ll spend the rest of my life in regret, wondering what could have happened.
Meanwhile, a torrent of Lexar
spilled out of Bennu, none of them words meant for mixed company. His powerful chest heaved.
“Veryn, what the fuck?” he finally managed in English.
Time to be bold.
“Well, I wasn’t going to go straight for a fuck, but since it’s on your mind....” She smiled, eyes bright with humor and desire, grateful the steam filling the room kept her warm. “Surprise.”
“What are you—? You cannot be here.” Normally so eloquent, Bennu stumbled over his words, and genuine panic covered a face she'd known as always calm and collected.
“Why? Because you’re going home? Don’t worry, I haven’t the slightest intention to meet your parents or anything.”
“My parents are not a concern, as I am not bound for Opsyssa. When did you board my vessel without me recognizing you were here?”
His panic washed over her in waves, quenching the desire that had been building since spotting him in the shower. While not shy, she suddenly felt ridiculous standing there naked when it was obvious she was the last person he wanted to see. So much for thinking he’d find the audacious move appealing.
What if he’s going home to a woman who matters?
Doubt doused her. Bennu moved her aside and tore down a warmed towel from a hook beside the shower cubicle. He wrapped her in its warmth instead of placing it on his own body.
“Of all the foolish things,” he continued to bluster. “What possessed you to do something so reckless, Princess Veryn?”
Princess. As if they weren’t beyond titles.
None of this was going remotely like she imagined. By now, they should have been naked on the bed, enjoying another brisk round of what had to be the most amazing sex she’d ever had. Instead, he was treating her like a child.
“What the fuck is your problem? And what do you mean you're not bound for Opsyssa? We’re already—”
Her gaze fell on a small viewport. Instead of green forests and misty mountains whizzing by, all she saw were stars.
Shit.
She hadn’t even noticed leaving the atmosphere, probably because she dozed while in her cramped hiding spot.
Bennu’s jaw clenched. “We are lightyears away from Aaru, Princess Veryn.” They were not beyond titles apparently. “We are lightyears away, as I have taken a jump cycle to the Amun System, at the expense of a great deal of fuel.”
They weren’t merely lightyears away; they had traveled weeks of distance at standard speed in the frame of mere hours.
“Excuse me?” She nearly dropped the towel the news shocked her so much. She managed to keep her grip and strode toward him. "What do you mean we're in the Amun System? You said you were going home, which is on Aaru."
“What I said and what I planned are two different matters,” he growled. “Do you make known your every plan when sensitive matters are at hand?” The alien took down another towel and wrapped it around his waist.
Barefoot, Bennu maneuvered around her to the command panel in the cockpit. “Merciful spirits, what do I do?”
The big red-and-gold orb Ra-El hung nearby, coming steadily closer.
“Why the hell would you lie about a family trip?" she demanded, anger pushing past her mortification. “I thought I’d surprise you.”
“Why would you sur—?”
“You were headed to Opsyssa, and I eventually had to be in Opsyssa, so why not enjoy the trip over together? Or was your fling with a human just a one-time little experiment, huh?”
“An experiment?” Heat surged into Bennu's face, and his silver eyes flashed with emotion. “I have never called you an experiment.”
He whirled to face the console again and tapped a few buttons, stilling their approach to the planet’s orbit. Then he took a deep, calming breath and raked his fingers through wet hair. “I must find a way to return you to Imperial Space.”
“Damn right, you must. If I thought you were going to be a total dick, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
She dropped the towel and started snatching her clothes from the floor, panic mingling with her irritation. The Amun System wasn’t anywhere close to where she needed to be. Worse, it was uncontrolled space. She wouldn't find an easy way back to Imperial Space without risking exposure, thanks to the recent announcement of her new position as heir to the UNE throne. If anything, she’d find herself in a crap-ton of trouble. A royal would bring in a handsome ransom.
Bennu’s shoulders and spine stiffened, the big alien glancing back at her sidelong with an indecipherable expression on his handsome face. “I will fix your mistake, but not now,” he vowed.
“My mistake? The only mistake here was thinking you actually—” She cut herself off and muttered in French under her breath. He wasn’t worth it, she lied to herself. She never should have gone through with such a crazy, impulsive—
“You will remain here hidden on my vessel. I must meet with my contact on Ra-El. I have not a minute to spare, as tardiness will reflect poorly upon me.”
Her head snapped up, and she shot him an incredulous look. “Who the hell are you to give me orders?” He wanted to use titles. Fine then. “I outrank you.”
His mouth flattened into a severe line. He stepped up to her, reminding her of how enormous his kind were. Her nipples tightened, and a dozen involuntary memories ran rampant through her mind of how wonderful the moment had been when they were in his mouth.
“You are Princess Veryn of the United Nations of Earth. I am Alpha Jin-Bennu, second-in-command to Exarch Tal-Amun, ruler of the Exemplar and overseer of UNE operations.” He took another step, almost forcing her to backpedal. “You will find in times of military distress and universal safety, I am the one who outranks you. Until you assume the throne, Princess, you are under my command.”
Bennu stared down at the outraged female, cursing the stars, the gods, and the cruel twist fate bestowed upon him. Had he truly been heading to see his family, her little scheme would have been welcomed. He'd have rolled her into the bunk and had her in every way imaginable, sating the lust the very sight of her enflamed. Even now, he wanted her.
“You can’t,” she spat, an angry wildcat with fire in her eyes.
“I can and I have,” he said, calm despite the firestorm swirling inside. “You will remain on this ship if you value your life. Once I return from my business, we will see about returning you to Albion.”
The United Britannia System was the closest to their location and a safe place to leave Veryn. From what he understood, she'd have been traveling from Opsyssa to the seat of the UNE's government anyway to officially receive her crown.
“Why are we even here on.... That’s Ra-El! There are only criminals in the Amun System. It’s a den of thieves!"
“That is for me to know.”
“You—”
He grabbed her by the elbow and pushed her toward the narrow bed. “I do not have time to explain. We’re landing, and I cannot avert that now. You must stay here. You must trust me. And you cannot be seen. Will you do this willingly or is it necessary that I tie you to the bed?”
“You wouldn’t!”
Fuck, she made him so hard. Another nudge sent her stumbling back until her ass hit the bed, one that would have been cramped for a Lexar but suited her perfectly. Betrayal shone in her pretty blue eyes, but protecting her was all that mattered for the moment.
Bennu stalked away to dress himself, torn between light armor and casual clothing.
His armor would draw attention to him.
Going unarmored would make him a target.
Today, he was here as Bennu, a fed-up Lexar vexed with his commanding officer and leader. He had to leave behind his love of the empire and Amun, but he couldn't strut into the rowdiest bar in the Amun System without protection. He stripped the commendations and medals and symbols from his armor then donned it in all black, aware of Veryn watching his every move.
“What the hell is going on?” she asked once more, less heat in her voice. No, she wasn’t angry anymore. She was suspicious. He felt it creepin
g from her, saw it in every tense line of her body.
"Do not leave this ship. Do not be seen," he said again, then he opened the hatch and stepped out. Everything in him demanded he give up the job and fly her to safety, but he couldn't. All he could do was use the anger and frustration as his armor, letting it fuel his charade in an effort to sell his story of desertion.
A sandy stretch of wasteland extended out behind him, a swath of rocks and nothingness abutted to a ramshackle city designed with no sense of order. The planet held no value to the Lexar, on the fringes of their controlled space, and so they had turned a relatively blind eye to it when the humans began building.
Distrusting Veryn to remain on board, he issued a few commands to the splinter of Isis embedded in his ship. The artificial intelligence personality assisted with basic ship functions and security matters but maintained minimal contact with the Exemplar.
Bennu ventured alone into the city, his size and impassive features enough to deter any mindless trouble. The place was a maze, buildings constructed from scraps and local ores, a few prefabs standing out among the haphazard structures. Music and laughter carried on the still air, mingling with the typical sounds of a fight in the distance.
Ra-El was never quiet.
Using the directions he received, Bennu traversed a narrow alley until he reached a bright-green door. Two sabers crossed above it.
Inside was just as garish, but at least the ceilings were tall enough to accommodate him without stooping. As one of three Lexar in the place, Bennu stood out. One of the others struck him as a halfbreed, too tall and bronze to be human, too short to be the offspring of two Lexar. He sank down at a table along the distant wall and adopted a casual posture.
After a while, a waitress in snug black leather came by to take his order. The rest of the patrons paid him little attention. Once he had his drink in hand, he took time to study the others under the guise of bored disinterest.
Fuck, where was his contact? Each minute that ticked by was another moment Veryn was in danger despite the safeties activated within seconds of his departure. Her tenacity was part of what attracted him to her.
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