Temis hurried to Gren's side, staring at the hardened set to his features. The left side of his face had swelled, his lips bloodied and his cheek already sporting a darkening bruise. By the way he breathed, shallowly, she knew he'd injured his ribs. And something else about his posture made her think of broken bones.
"What the hell were you thinking?" she shouted her worry. Shaking with anger, she nevertheless wormed her way under the shoulder that didn't tense when she touched it, and led him to a nearby couch.
He sat gingerly and she couldn't help touching his injured cheek with gentle fingers.
"Why didn't you answer me when I called to you?" The silence had been deafening. After sharing her thoughts with the Thesha, unusual though it was, she'd gotten used to being a part of him. When he'd limited her access and then detached that special part of himself, she thought she'd go crazy with worry.
"I thought I'd lost you when you wouldn't answer."
Gren sighed and kissed her with tender lips. "I'm sorry, sura," he said with a groan. "But I didn't want you to feel my pain. I knew it would distract you. You did get the women away safely, didn't you?"
She nodded. "They're all accounted for, the slavers rounded up as we speak. I should warn you Sernal's not very happy with you."
He cursed soundly and she grinned. He had a creative streak on par with hers. "I couldn't let the women continue to suffer," he said stiffly. "Their pain hounded me."
"But they were drugged and ignorant of their surroundings." Temis didn't understand.
"Yes, but their spirits felt the abuse. Their pain gnawed at me, Temis. And the dark energy under that tent, it was like a plague. Harm toward women is something my kind cannot tolerate. Especially when inflicted on the innocent."
She stared at him, aware she once again had to face his alien nature with eyes wide open. Communicating mentally hadn't truly bothered her. Telepaths did it all the time and though not common, she'd run into her fair share. But reminders of Gren's Thesha heritage heightened the tension between them.
She still felt in awe of his gifts, that she sat next to a man thought more legend than real. But as she looked at his marred face and injured body, she couldn't help seeing the man beneath the myth.
"Let's get out of here. You need a medtech and I need a break." She sighed. "I don't ever want to look at another slave auction for as long as I live. And I'm not up for more of Sernal's lectures."
He groaned and stood with her, nodding his agreement. To their consternation, Sernal met them at the doorway with a dark scowl.
"You two come with me. I'll personally escort you back to Lady Justice. I've got a few things on my mind."
"Just a few?" Gren gave Sernal an arrogant quirk of his eyebrow that set Sernal's temper aflame. Binding Gren's hands behind his back, and none too gently, Sernal escorted Gren to his ship with Temis trailing behind.
"Good idea," Gren grumbled as he was dragged to Sernal's ship, every hard step agony to his ribs. "Torturing me in front of everyone will cement my cover as a slaver. I truly appreciate your consideration," he added in an all-too-polite voice.
The peacemakers around them gave the trio a wide berth as they strode toward the shuttle. Sernal glared at Gren and Temis, not amused, though his actions did provide Gren with a measure of safety. No one seeing Gren bound would believe him in league with the peacemakers.
Gren's sarcasm did at least cause Sernal to ease his grip on Gren's arm. The lawman guided him into the shuttle instead of throwing him into a seat. As soon as Sernal set the ship on autopilot, he turned to Gren and Temis with a scowl.
It was a long ride to Lady Justice.
* * * *
Once Temis had left them with an excuse to begin her operational reports, Sernal took a deep breath and turned to Gren.
"You look like shit," he said bluntly, eyeing the large man's injuries. "What the hell happened? And why didn't you wait?" he asked, his voice increasing in volume.
Gren cringed and cupped his tender jaw. "Take it easy, Mardu. I'll explain as soon as you pour me a drink."
Knowing he wouldn't get any answers out of Gren until the mercenary was ready to talk, Sernal muttered under his breath and brought Gren a cup of sweetened shusha wine.
"This is one fine cabin you've got, captain," Gren said with a grin, then winced as the acidic juice hit his lip. "Look, Sernal, I couldn't wait any longer to help the women or I'd have been useless. Their pain weakened me," he said bluntly.
Sernal's eyes widened as he suddenly understood. "Oh. Well, in that case, I understand why you had to move when you did. But did it occur to you to explain this to me earlier this morning, when you did your initial survey?"
"I thought it might bother me, but it's been so long since I've been to an auction I'd forgotten."
Sernal nodded, familiar with Gren's repulsion for the flesh trade, if not for the exact reason why beyond the obvious. "You're lucky it worked out for the best."
"Lucky? Hell no. Temis made everything work smoothly." He smiled, his pride shining through the clear affection in his eyes.
Sernal blinked, not sure to believe what he saw in the Thesha's eyes. "So, ah, who gave you the bruises?"
The loving glow faded and Gren scowled. "Abjon, the bastard. By the way, he was there for a woman named Seriana. I'd advise you to put some protection out for her." He rubbed at his sore ribs. "The Ragga scum ought to be hanged for being so damned stubborn," he muttered, "and strong."
Sernal shook his head. "From initial reports, of the fifteen women rescued, only fourteen made it back to the ship. Apparently one disappeared."
"Seriana."
He nodded. "I've put out a search but I doubt we'll find anything. Our hands are full as it is with the capture of so many slavers. This is the biggest arrest we've had in years." Sernal grinned, absurdly pleased the slave trade had taken a huge hit. "I hate to say it, but thank you."
Gren nodded, his arrogance in place as surely as the bruises on his face.
"But on another note," Sernal's voice deepened, authority at the ready, "what the hell did you think you were doing enthralling my peacemaker?" He deliberately poked Gren in the ribs, grateful for the man's low groan. "I trusted you to be on your best behavior."
"It wasn't my fault." As soon as he said the words, Gren flushed. "It was, but there's more to it than a simple enthrallment."
Sernal nodded. He'd seen similar lovesick expressions on both Lurin and his brothers' faces when they'd fallen in love with their wives. "You've bonded, I take it. I should have known. Leave it to you to snag the most beautiful and talented peacemaker we've ever had."
Gren tried to shrug and groaned again. "Sorry. Some things are beyond wishes and wills."
"But does Temis understand what and who you are?"
Gren nodded.
Surprised, Sernal stared at him. "So she's fine leaving the peacemakers to make her life with you wandering the system?"
Gren grimaced, and Sernal knew it wasn't due to the pain.
"So, you haven't told her what she'll be giving up to come live with you."
"It's been a long day, Sernal." Gren stood without help, his face pale. "I need to heal, without a medtech, if you don't mind."
Sernal knew Gren would heal better on his own.
"But I'd appreciate it if you could give Temis some time off? Say a week to return to Zephyr for a much-needed homecoming?"
"No problem. Have her give Rafe a statement." He smirked, glad of the power he held over his annoying younger brother. The operational report for this assignment would be extremely detailed and obscenely lengthy. "I'll have him record it to vid." Then he grew serious, his concern for Temis at the forefront of his mind. "Be sure, Gren, be very sure that Temis makes her decisions on her own. If you try to force the issue, you'll only make yourself miserable in the long run."
Gren said nothing but left with a frustrated frown, walking stiffly from the room.
Sernal poured himself a glass of wine and contemplated the
operation. With Rorn under arrest, the capture of more than fifty slavers attributed to his people, and Temis once again safely aboard, he officially declared his mission a success.
He sighed and rubbed the tension from his neck. Perhaps once he had the situation dealt with, he'd take a trip to Aflera. Hadn't Gren mentioned Jahnja was the perfect pleasurer?
The door buzzed and he checked the small vidfinder by the doorway. Smiling, he admitted Rafe.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Rafe asked, suspicious.
"Weren't you just the other day complaining about our rookies and their reports?"
"Yes, but--"
"Do I have a job for you."
Chapter Sixteen
Gren walked stiffly toward Temis' room, not in the mood for any more theatrics. Damn, but that Ragga Abjon had thrown him all over the place. He scowled at the peacemakers he passed, pleased when they shied away from him. Now, if only the blonde peacemaker he'd bonded with would show him some proper respect....
He knocked at her door, irritated he didn't have the keycode to enter. She buzzed him inside and he entered slowly, looking immediately to the large bed in the center of the room.
At this point he wanted nothing more than to make love with Temis, followed by a restful night's sleep. But how best to make her come to him?
He decided to ignore Temis staring at him and sank with a loud groan into her bed. Perhaps sympathy would garner some attention?
He took a breath and lay back, unable to keep from groaning again.
"Wait just a minute," Temis said and stood over him, her arms akimbo. "You haven't seen a medtech, have you?"
"Not now, sura. Please, no more lectures. My skull is splitting apart and my ribs are killing me." He spoke the truth with just a hint of exaggeration. "I just need some time to rest." And a warm women to love.
"What you need is a medtech." She looked worried. That he thought to sleep here, or for his well-being? She'd erected her mental shields the moment they'd boarded the ship, and he was in no condition to challenge her. With the exception of her stronger emotions, he could read nothing.
"Actually no. What I need is time for my body to heal itself." He paused, hoping she wouldn't be difficult about this. "Would you mind sleeping beside me?"
She stared at him in confusion. "Are you sure you don't need a medtech?"
He sighed. "I'm Thesha, Temis. My body heals itself, more quickly when I have energy at my disposal." He eyed her up and down, giving her no doubt as to what he needed.
She flushed and her eyes narrowed. "You've got to be kidding me. You can't even sit up on your own. How are you going to make love?"
"In the astral state my physical body is not a burden." He waited for her understanding, and seeing it, took a chance. "Never mind. It's too much to ask of you after such a difficult mission."
"What?"
She looked irritated, and he couldn't help wanting to hold her again, to soothe the confusion and longing and desire he felt troubling her.
"Nothing. If you'll help me sit up, I'll move to an empty cabin. And if you could trouble one of the females to come to me, peacemaker Toulsa seemed attractive, I'll take care of my needs. Don't worry, I won't hurt her and she won't remember a thing."
Her eyes widened, their smoky gray color disappearing under the heated purple growing dark. Taking a subtle measure of her emotions, he felt smothered with her anxious jealousy.
He worked hard to stifle a pleased smile, keeping his expression slightly pained and oblivious to her dismay.
Temis, however, had no problem speaking her mind. "Toulsa? That plain-faced, inexperienced rookie?" She paced before the bed, delightfully riled.
"Now, Temis, you need to rest--"
She cursed for nearly half a minute, stunning him to silence. "I'm fine!" She flounced on the bed next to him and immediately closed her eyes. "Toulsa, ha." He felt her energy trembling with anticipation even as her anger swelled. "Go to sleep," she grumbled, reaching out to his bruised hand. She held him tenderly, her fingers running along his scar.
Despite his injuries, his blood raced, and he took a deep and even breath, looking forward to his dreams.
* * * *
Temis pushed through the darkness of sleep and found herself in a dream, and in the last place she and Gren had fought while asleep.
She stared around her in bemusement, curious as to the memory that caused such a vision. The wide, dirt fighting ring was obviously manmade, the forest surrounding her full and lively. The sweet smell of ripe fruit and flower blossoms carried on a cooling yet comfortable breeze.
To her left sat the inviting pool of blue-green water she recalled from her last visit. She bent and trailed a hand through it, and gasped at the thrill that shot through her.
"It's kay'en water newly released from the underground springs," Gren said in a deep voice, coming up behind her. She stared at his handsome reflection in the pool, not sure whether she should feel annoyed or intrigued that she'd brought him here. Obviously he'd tampered with her mind to bring her to this place.
"Explain this." She stood, turning to face him, and waited silently.
He smiled, a wicked grin that caused her heart to flutter and her loins to quicken. "This is a fighting ring common to my native world. None but my people, and you, have ever stepped foot here." He looked up at the sky and sighed. "Our moons never fail to amaze me with their beauty." Three full orbs glowed with pale pink light in a darkening blue-gray sky, a few scattered and thinning clouds lining the horizon.
"It is beautiful," she agreed, thinking this place suited him. Wild and mysterious and filled with magic. "But why have you brought me here?"
He stared at her in surprise, his naked chest gleaming under the moonlight. "I did not bring us here. You did." His voice deepened as he looked over her. "But I have no complaint with this arena, nor the clothes you chose to wear."
Bemused, she glanced down to see her peacemaker uniform gone, replaced by a skimpy two-piece silk set that left little to the imagination. She could feel Gren's gaze like a caress and her nipples hardened.
He took a step toward her, the straining erection in his trousers obvious. Then he stopped and pulled off his clothing, standing before her proud and unashamedly aroused.
His skin glowed, not bruised or beaten, but with a preternatural vitality. And as she stared at him, she swallowed around the desire building in her.
"What is it you want, sura?" he asked, his voice thick. His eyes glowed and he took a deep breath, closing his eyes in pleasure. "Your body wants mine, but what of your mind, your heart?" he murmured and opened his eyes, closing the distance between them.
Temis honestly didn't know. She could only feel, her mind lost to the erotic sensation of being near him. Like a magnet he drew her easily, until she brushed her body against him, reveling in his sensuality.
He growled low in his throat, his stare piercing as he looked deeply into her eyes. "You know what you want, Temis. You have only to accept yourself, then you and I will never be apart."
Before she could say anything, he kissed her, stealing her very breath. Colors and lights danced beneath her closed lids, and she felt him all the way to her bones. Desire roared through her blood as his hands caressed her torso, stroking her back and cupping her buttocks closer, so that she felt every nuance of his erection against her naked belly.
He rubbed against her, deepening his kiss. She moaned when his mouth left hers, then sighed as his lips sucked and nipped at her throat, as if sucking her will to keep even the smallest part of herself away from him.
"Gren," she gasped as his hands slid between their bodies to encircle her breasts.
"Sura, you are so incredibly loving," he whispered as he bent to lick the slope of her breast. His tongue trailed over the thin material of her top, the sensation of wet heat and soft silk an arousing friction.
She arched into his mouth, bursting with pleasure when his mouth latched onto her nipple. His teeth bit, drawing the
taut peak further into his mouth, and when he began sucking on her, she thought she would never escape the torturous pleasure.
Her insides wept for him, her clitoris throbbing with dangerous need.
"Please," she gasped. "I need you, Gren." His mouth shifted to pleasure her other breast and she thought she would die. She could feel his arousal straining against her thigh and wanted him deep within her.
With slow hands he disrobed her, his touch everywhere and nowhere near close enough.
After removing her bottoms he rose to his feet and stared deeply into her eyes. "But what exactly do you need, sura?" he asked seductively, his eyes glinting with desire. In a sudden move, he picked her up in his arms and walked into the pool of water behind her.
She gasped as heat infused her body, ribbons of energy mixing with the fevered desire already pulsing through her system.
"Yes," he groaned and stopped once the water hit him mid-chest. He pushed her against the wall of the pool, a surprisingly flat and smooth surface. "Tell me what you want from me. I'll give you anything you desire," he promised, aligning his groin to hers.
She closed her eyes when she felt the head of his shaft pressing against her sensitive folds, prodding gently until he reached her pulsing clit. "I--" She cried out in ecstasy as he thrust deep into her womb and stayed there.
"Tell me," he demanded, remaining full, his thick presence a heady reminder of his strength, of the power that resided within him.
He sent a burst of energy through her, a blast of pure heat that made her come around him, squeezing him with her inner walls.
She heard him groan her name but he didn't move, merely grew bigger as she released.
Her orgasm continued, growing stronger and stronger until she came to another place, a world full of light that glowed around Gren's smiling face.
I am in you, sura, now and forever. I will never let you go, never let you hurt or want for anything, he pledged, the tender look of love shining in his eyes.
Words failed her as she saw what she'd been trying to deny to herself. The love radiated from him clearly, so bright and pure she could only bask in its richness.
Winner Takes All Page 16