Kyele's Passion: A World Beyond Book 4

by Michelle Howard

  She’d watched the General lead his men in maneuvers a time or two before. Victoria flushed. Maybe a dozen. Usually by Azar’s request to see his son when he was too busy to get away.

  Those summons had caused Victoria to be snippy at first. She’d refused until he came himself and took Kyele down to the fields without a glance for her. At first, it took a moment for her to pinpoint the reason for her annoyance. Envy. She’d been envious that he wanted to spend time with his son and not her. After that time, Victoria didn’t tarry when he requested Kyele’s presence on the training fields.

  Azar shouted at the men on the front line, drawing her gaze back to him. He wasn’t in his customary uniform. Today, the General wore a thin short sleeve shirt in an olive shade of green tucked into the waist of black cargo pants and military grade boots with silver buckles up the back. The short sleeves pulled taut over his straining biceps. His voice rang out as he yelled another command.

  Not by a single twitch did the soldiers reveal any hint of their true feelings as bodies shifted and feet changed direction in perfect sync to his orders. Hardened killers under the command of the single man striding back and forth in front of them. They wore olive green uniforms with a silver star on the front of the jacket and a chest harness containing deadly guns.

  Azar halted when he spotted Faan and Victoria’s approach. His gaze brightened and her pulse kicked up a notch. He met them halfway, already reaching for Kyele. No one could miss the adoration on his face as he stared at their son.

  He glanced up, piercing her with a sharp stare. “Is everything alright with him?”

  She shrugged, shooting Faan a look, but the loyal soldier backed up to give them privacy. Pointless. A quick look around revealed hundreds of eyes turned in their direction. Her cheeks heated. She should never have come down, but a yearning she couldn’t explain had compelled her.

  “Victoria?” Azar stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Do you need anything?”

  Was their hope in his tone? She met his blue eyes, unable to read his thoughts. “I brought Kyele out for fresh air.”

  Disappointment flashed. Then Azar nodded as if this made perfect sense, though she’d never come down without his specific request before. “Do you mind if…if I keep him with me?”

  Such hesitancy. She’d done that. Made him doubt his right to time with his child.

  “Of course.” He’d just killed three men in cold blood, yet Victoria had no fear that he’d harm her or their son. In fact, she was beginning to suspect he’d protect them with his life.

  And that didn’t bode well for her future plans.

  Chapter 2

  This was it. The perfect opportunity. So why did it feel wrong? Victoria wrapped her arms tighter around the blanketed bundle in her arms. Luckily Kyele slept deeply. At a year old he was a happy baby. He’d started talking, and she swore from his expressions he understood everything she said in turn.

  “Not much further,” Marlo murmured.

  Victoria glanced up at Faan. The slim Spectar had been the perfect guard from the moment of Kyele’s birth. He loved her son as much as she did. A lot of the General’s men had come to love the half-Earthling baby. His pink skin and giggles entranced them. Apparently Spectar weren’t happy babies. Or maybe it was Azar’s change in demeanor when around Kyele.

  When she thought of the General, her breath hitched. Azar doted on their son. Seeing him carry Kyele around the courtyard while he commanded his men in practice, or shouted orders from his balcony overlooking the training fields always warmed her middle.

  Who would have thought the harsh dictator could have a soft spot? One he’d exhibited time and time again when it came to her or the child they’d created.

  “Faan,” Victoria hissed. She had to speak with him about her nerves.

  “What is it, Victoria?” He slowed to draw even with her.

  “Something doesn’t feel right.” She kept her eyes on Marlo and the other man with him. They were a few feet ahead of her and Faan.

  Faan’s dark eyes misted, a sign of his Spectar form as his protective instincts rose. “What does it feel like?”

  Like someone wanted her dead.

  “We should go back,” she said instead. She didn’t trust any of the General’s men with the exception of Faan. She didn’t like the way some of them eyed her when Azar wasn’t present.

  “We can’t go back. This is the one time he’s dropped security and the ship’s captain has already been bribed and paid for.”

  Victoria bit her lip, flooded with doubt. Maybe she should stay. Her relationship with Azar or lack of seemed to be changing. His concern for her was reflected in his questions about her day or when he visited to play with Kyele. They’d grown closer over the year though she’d yet to resume the sexual aspect of their relationship she knew he longed for. A few times their hands brushed and heat flared between them. She’d almost kissed him twice yesterday.

  Faan paused and gripped her shoulders, Victoria snuggled Kyele closer to her chest. Faan’s brown eyes blazed with concern and another emotion she refused to acknowledge. “Don’t give up. You wanted to leave, remember?”

  Victoria sensed the others paying attention. The three soldiers stopped and glanced back. They didn’t trust her. Good. She didn’t trust them, and the only reason she’d gone along with Faan’s plan to leave was because she knew the loyal soldier was in love with her. He also loved Kyele. Victoria had used that to her advantage, though she didn’t return his feelings. Her heart was already taken by the very man she ran from. She wanted to be free.

  But not at this price. Not if these men wanted her dead. She nuzzled the swirls of hair on Kyele’s head. The baby soft curls tickled her chin. Her son meant the world to her, and getting him back to Earth was all she could think about.

  Except thoughts of Azar kept intruding on her desire to escape.

  “What do you want, Victoria?” Faan asked simply.

  She didn’t get to answer as the jarring sound of alarms ripped through the night. Victoria jerked and Kyele let out a small cry.

  “Hurry,” the soldiers ahead cried.

  Forcing back her regret, Victoria ran with Faan. Away from the General’s strong hold.

  ***

  Azar couldn’t believe the report on his desk. His heart pounded against his chest. “How long ago?”

  “Sir?” Hectley swallowed.

  “How long has Victoria and my son been missing!” Azar exploded from the chair behind his desk and grabbed the young man by the collar of his uniform.

  Hectley’s face lost all its color. “Not long. Maybe an hour.”

  “Where’s Lieutenant Faan? He never leaves their side.”

  It didn’t matter that the guard was in love with Victoria. As long as the soldier didn’t act on those feelings Azar let him live because Victoria trusted Faan. He was the only one of his men who didn’t cause her to jump in fear.

  Hectley didn’t bother struggling, remaining limp in Azar’s grip. “Faan is missing as well, General.”

  Azar roared with rage and dropped Hectley who stumbled and fell to the floor, his chest rising and falling as he panted. If Faan was missing, then he was with Victoria. Had the man he trusted with all that he loved betrayed him?

  “There’s more, General.” Hectley rose to his feet despite the danger in facing him. “A hit squad was sent after them.”

  “No!” Azar staggered back. His heart seized and he couldn’t catch his breath. He controlled three hit squads. Small manned groups perfected in the art of assassination. “By whose orders?”

  “Rizon, sir.”

  The one soldier he considered more loyal than Faan.

  “Cancel the orders.” Azar grabbed the weapons from his top desk draw, belting them on and raced from his office.

  Hectley ran beside him, obviously determined to drive Azar mad. “Per your instructions and protocol, the hit squad has shut down all communication until the assignment is completed.”

  Swe
at beaded Azar’s brow. Three of his deadliest soldiers were after the woman he breathed for. The son they’d made together. He couldn’t lose them.

  Azar pointed to his brightest soldiers as he passed them in the hall. “With me.”

  He burst through the main doors of his hall and paused long enough to think of which direction Faan would have taken Victoria. Sirens sounded in the far-off distance. The port. Azar closed his eyes and exhaled. After all he’d done, the steps he’d taken to make her fall in love with him. For naught. Still, Victoria wanted to leave him.

  “What are your orders, General?”

  Azar stiffened. Enough was enough. You could not force love and at last he accepted this. “Find the Earth woman and my son. No harm is to come to them.”

  Heels clicked as several troops raced off into the dark of night. Azar pointed to Hectley. “Find the squad sent after them and tell them to stand down.”

  Hiding the fear tearing him apart, Azar shifted into the Spectar form of mist and took off for the space station. If only he could reach her before the hit squad.

  The thought shattered at the sound of weapon fire.

  ***

  The sight of the shuttle caused Victoria to stumble in relief. Faan caught her by the elbow, his face pale. She slipped to her knees, the pain in her chest all encompassing.

  “Kyele,” she gasped, handing over her sleeping son from her trembling hands.

  Faan secured her little boy in a tight grip and dropped to one knee beside her. “Not much further. You’re freedom is almost in reach, Madame Victoria.”

  She was about to be free but not in the way she’d imagined. Victoria pressed a hand to the growing stain on her front. Only her will to see her son safe kept her from falling sooner. “Will you tell him I loved him?”

  Tears glistened in Faan’s brown eyes. “Don’t give up, Madame. Tell Kyele after you’re better.”

  Sweat beaded her upper lip. She hadn’t meant Kyele. It was Azar her heart cried out for as dark edges closed in on her vision. Azar’s warmth she craved. Victoria swayed and didn’t feel the ground beneath her as her body slumped to the side. Faan held Kyele with one arm and reached for her hand. Their fingers clasped together.

  Victoria stared at the stars above as her heartbeat grew sluggish. So many regrets. Stubbornness had robbed her of the ability to realize every dream she’d ever had was within reach. Azar. She didn’t believe he’d sent men to attack her despite the taunt of the one soldier Faan shot after she was hit. Someone deliberately sent the highly trained assassin squad after her. Someone who’d discovered her plan to escape. But not the man who made no secret of his feelings.

  In her foolishness, she’d given them the perfect opportunity to strike against the General. Her death would destroy him. She realized it now as guilt flashed through her, but Victoria blocked it. Her son was an innocent baby, and she didn’t want him raised here if danger lurked in the corners. “Promise me, Faan. Take Kyele away. Raise him without anyone the wiser. Don’t let Azar’s enemies get him.”

  The General had thousands of soldiers under his command. People quaked in their boots when he walked the halls. But he had enemies too. The same who turned on her could turn on Kyele. That’s not what she wanted for her beautiful son. She might not have given Azar her heart when he asked, but she’d give their son life.

  “I promise,” Faan whispered, the wet of his tears on her cheeks.

  ***

  Explosions rocked the ground. Azar arrived at the port, his chest tearing with pain at the sight of three of his fastest ships burning. Flames soared skyward. Frantic, he raced forward, hope keeping him from accepting what his gaze showed.

  He almost tripped over the body. Dark hair spilled across the ground.

  “No!” Azar roared in anguish as he fell to his knees.

  Savage denial had him biting his tongue on the next scream until blood filled his mouth. Not Victoria. Never his beautiful love. Azar cradled her limp body close and rocked. He cupped her still warm jaw. “Tesa? Don’t leave me, please. Not like this.”

  Soldiers stormed the port, weapons drawn. Too late. Far too late. He searched for Faan even as he held tight to the woman in his arms. Where was his son?

  Hectley came toward him, face drawn. “We have witnesses who saw Faan carry young Kyele into the ship closest to the blast zone.”

  One of the burning vessels. Azar closed his eyes and nuzzled the silk of Victoria’s hair. The heady scent he’d grown to love filled his nostrils with a bittersweet burn. Jagged pain seared his throat. He opened his eyes and glared at Hectley. “Find who did this.”

  It didn’t take long. Within days, confessions flew from cracked, bloody lips and swollen faces. But not the leader who instigated this tragedy. Azar couldn’t discover the one individual who had set his nightmare in motion. As a result, he slaughtered the ones he could find. Those involved in Victoria and Kyele’s death were stamped out. He was like a madman. Soldiers fell beneath his rage, traitors lost their heads, but none of it brought back his son and none of it brought back the woman who’d taken his heart to the grave with her.

  From that night on, he became known as The Butcher and no one dared cross him again.

  Chapter 3

  From the time of his maturity, Kyele accepted he was a ruthless killer. He would always be a ruthless killer. It was a fate he couldn’t escape no matter his upbringing. The lesson was first brought home to him his last year of school when he killed a fellow student who thought to tease him for not having a maman.

  The death was purely accidental. Kyele’s punch had only knocked the young Enotian back, but the slick floor had caused the student to lose his balance and fall. The male’s head hit the stone barrier leading to the outside quad. Dorin was dead in an instant.

  The next death came about due to the manifestation of his natural gifts. One moment he’d been enjoying a brief trip on a space station away from home, the next a group of drunks cornered him. He killed four that night, defending himself, and the guilt weighed heavy on him no matter what his adopted papan said.

  Faan, a former soldier for the Spectar army, had brought Kyele to the peace loving planet Enotia to raise him. He assured Kyele that his genetics didn’t determine the path of his future. Kyele almost believed him until he’d killed those four men.

  As a child some things he knew without being told. He wasn’t a native Enotian as evidenced by his dark hair and deep green eyes. Eyes that tormented him throughout his youth because of their unnatural brilliance. There had been fights early on based on the color of his eyes. Taunts and teases claiming Kyele used some manner of enhancement on them. While the blond-haired, blue-eyed people of Enotia welcomed many, children often fell on instinct and singled out those different.

  Kyele was without a doubt different and fell victim to their stinging words. He’d had no means of defense. No way of declaring his true lineage and roots because he didn’t actually know why he looked different.

  Furthering the feelings of separation, Faan impressed upon him a large dose of fear if anyone found out they shared no true familial connection. As a result, Kyele stayed to himself, quiet and calm when others laughed and played in abandonment. Longing was squashed. Needs pushed to a far corner of his mind. If he craved a sense of belonging, a desire to be loved, he blocked those feelings too. It wasn’t to be.

  At eighteen, Kyele questioned the details of his birth and Faan admitted at last the truth of his mother’s death and revealed his birth father’s identity. A sex slave and a man known as The Butcher. Ironic that such a dark beginning was his. It fit.

  To add on to the dark shadow that made up his life, Faan took it upon himself to avenge Kyele and his mother since he’d revealed the mystery surrounding Kyele’s origins. The very day after disclosing his past, Faan returned to Spectar with the intent to kill the General only to be killed by the man’s soldiers before he even breached the main gates of his notoriously fortified compound.

  Faan’s loss was
a reminder that Kyele was responsible for another death. Loneliness almost overwhelmed after such a major event in his life. The foundation of all he knew crumbled beneath a crushing weight. A desire Kyele couldn’t put a name to ruled the measures he put in place to survive over the years to come.

  Females confirmed his decision to stay by himself. Fear blazed from their eyes in his presence as if they sensed his darker nature. As if his bad blood acted as a warning beacon. Unable to reveal his parentage put him at a distinct disadvantage amongst the males of his home world who sought permanent bonds.

  After all, who would want him? The one time he’d hinted at his roots, the female proved to him he was unworthy by attacking him in a rage. Lesson learned. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. Presentation, the Enotian custom for binding to a loved one, would never be an option for him.

  Until years later when his Unit Leader met his Chosen. Kyele watched the formidable Torkel fall completely in love with the Earth woman, Faye, and knew then the possibility of a female wanting him enough that she wouldn’t care about the blood on his hands or his parentage.

  Joni Miller was that female. She was Kyele’s obsession.

  Right now, her smile tugged at his heart as she hugged her best friend, Sylvie Forrester as they sat across from one another in the room. The two of them had gone through a lot together as prisoners in an illegal Marenian slave auction. After their rescue, Sylvie had formed a relationship with his Jutak team mate, Arak O’tir, which thrilled Kyele. Not because his friend was happy, but because it meant Joni wouldn’t leave Enotia. Kyele refused to consider how he’d react if Joni decided she didn’t want to stay on his home world permanently. If the day ever came, it wouldn’t be pretty.