Axen

by Arcadia Shield

  Axen turned his head so his lips brushed her ear, sending a hot shiver down her spine. “I’m getting us out of here.”

  “You know how to beat the game?”

  “If what I’m planning works, we will beat the Fraken, and they won’t know how we’ve gotten out.”

  Eloise’s heart sped up. “I knew there was a back door.”

  “It’s not so much a door,” said Axen. “But there is a way to disrupt the Fraken game programming to allow us to get through.”

  “How does it work?”

  “By sending a message through the Fraken comm link,” said Axen.

  “How?”

  “After I left you in the cave, I was summoned by the Fraken to one of their comm links. They wanted to know what was going on in the game.”

  “Bet they’re not happy to see me still alive.”

  “That’s an understatement,” said Axen. “They want your death to happen quickly.”

  “Which isn’t going to happen.”

  “That’s right.”

  Eloise felt Axen’s hands tighten against her flesh. “So you were summoned by the Fraken to explain what’s been going on. How does that help us get out? Have you got someone inside the games who is helping you?”

  “Not a Fraken.” Axen tapped his fingers on her flesh. “But there are individuals who will help us.”

  “What are they going to do?”

  “When I was speaking to the Fraken, I sent a coded message through their comms link. It’s gone to a warrior brother of mine, Bladen.”

  “And he’s going to get us out?” asked Eloise. “Has he got a ship he can fly into the game?”

  “No. Fraken keep a force field around the game. That would need to be damaged before you can fly in or out. We won’t be doing that. Bladen will give the message to a friend of mine, Urel. He’s smart when it comes to technology and works with the Fraken on the games.”

  “If he works so closely with the Fraken, why is he helping you get out of this game?”

  “He’s forced into helping the Fraken,” said Axen. “Much like you humans, and us Vortens, we have an unhealthy dependence on the Fraken.”

  Eloise hissed. “What a surprise, the Fraken are exploiting another race.”

  “Urel has no love for the Fraken,” said Axen. “We have known each other for many cycles.”

  “What’s he going to do?”

  “Create a disturbance in the field around this particular game. It will create a temporary portal that will allow us to step out.”

  “You make it sound so simple,” said Eloise.

  “Anything but,” said Axen. “I have been working on simulations of how to break through the game defences for a long time. Many of our practice efforts have not been a success. But Urel is resourceful, and he wants the games to end as much as we do.”

  “How does it work?”

  “I sent a coded message through to Bladen. It was the signal to let him know I am ready to attempt an escape,” said Axen. “He will inform Urel, who will insert corrupted code into the game from a remote access location. It will disrupt part of the barrier and open a portal for us.”

  “Where’s the portal?”

  “If Urel is accurate, it will be next to a cave near the entrance of the game,” said Axen. “We need to be in the right place at the right time. If we are late, the portal door will be closed.”

  “How long have we got?”

  “It will take an hour for the message to get through to Bladen. He’ll need to decode the message and then pass it to Urel. Urel will need an hour to disrupt the barrier. We have plenty of time to reach the escape point.”

  Eloise took a moment to process this information. Their chance of escape was small, but at least they had one. “Is this the first time you’ve tried to get out of a game?”

  “It is.”

  “Why now?” Eloise felt Axen’s grip tighten on her again. She enjoyed how safe she felt when in his arms. A dozen Fraken cats could charge them, and she’d still be protected.

  “It felt like the right time,” said Axen. “None of the warriors agree with using humans in these games. There are some races we don’t mind dispatching when faced with them. But the Fraken are growing greedy and careless. They’re happy to sacrifice anything for the sake of entertainment and e-credits. Your race is a young one, and despite your self-destructive tendencies, we agree there is great potential in you. Give it another few million cycles, and the human race could be an amazing one.”

  “Stop with the compliments.” Eloise smacked Axen lightly on the chest.

  “It’s true,” said Axen. “If you look back over Vorten history, we were not so different to you when we first established ourselves. Our colonies were selfish and narrow-minded. We thought only of individual attainment. We are a more collective society now. But that took time and many mistakes.”

  “I’m not sure I fancy doing the whole genetic modification thing, though,” said Eloise. “I quite like my imperfections.”

  “You don’t have any.”

  Eloise leaned closer to Axen. Only he could say that and she’d believe him. This alien was going to change her life.

  “And you don’t need to go through genetic modification to improve,” said Axen. “My genetic modifications are more about playing to my strengths. Vortens have always been a strong and focused race. It was decided by our Elders that we would use those natural talents to become the best fighters and defenders of the star system. It led to Vortens being respected across many galaxies and establishing outposts across numerous solar systems.”

  “I’d like to see that,” said Eloise.

  “Our outposts?”

  “Everything,” said Eloise. “I’ve been fortunate in being able to explore some of the galaxy. But there’s so much more out there.”

  Axen’s breath tickled Eloise’s ear. “There is. Perhaps I can show it to you one day.”

  Eloise felt herself grow warm at the thought of spending more time with Axen. “I’d like that.”

  “But first, we need to get out of here alive.”

  Eloise nodded. “Which we aren’t going to do if we don’t look at your injuries.” She could feel his pace had slowed as they’d continued through the rainforest.

  “There’s nothing to look at.”

  Eloise ran her hand over Axen’s back and heard him take a sharp intake of breath as her fingers met the wounds from the beast’s claws. “There is. A five-minute break. I need some water, and your injuries need to be looked at. We’ll be able to move much faster once I’ve treated you.”

  A low grumble ran through Axen, and Eloise clung to him a little tighter, enjoying the feeling of heat that spread through her core. She wanted to protect her warrior.

  “Five minutes,” said Axen. “I can hear running water. We will stop there.”

  ***

  Axen’s arms felt empty after he’d set Eloise down. It had only taken him a few moments to find the water source he’d heard, a free running stream that looked clear and ended in a deep pool. They spent a moment filling their water bottles before draining them and refilling them.

  “We may as well eat while we’re resting.” Axen handed Eloise a ration pack of food.

  “What about you?” asked Eloise.

  “That’s the last one,” said Axen.

  “Then we share.” She broke the ration pack in half and handed it back to him.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “And I’m not moving until you’ve eaten.”

  She was nothing if not stubborn; Axen had to admire that about Eloise. He took the food and ate it quickly.

  “And once we’ve both eaten, I’ll have a look at your back,” said Eloise. “I don’t want you collapsing on me before we get to where we need to go. I won’t be able to drag you through the rainforest again.”

  “How did you even manage to get me back to the cave after I’d been struck by lightning?” asked Axen. “You wouldn’t have been able to carry me.�
�

  “Honestly, I’m not sure,” said Eloise. “You did manage to stand most of the way, but you were unsteady on your feet. And you chased me for a while before collapsing. I had to drag you about a quarter of the way. It helped that it was so muddy.”

  “You’re stronger than you look,” said Axen.

  “Please, stop with the compliments.”

  He smiled at her. “It is a compliment. Even a Vorten female would have trouble carrying me any distance.”

  “I never said I carried you,” said Eloise. “That’s beyond my physical abilities.” She flexed a small bicep and then grinned at him.

  “You humans are surprising.”

  “As are you Vortens,” said Eloise. “I never expected you to save me from these games.”

  “Neither did I,” said Axen.

  “So, we’ve both been surprised.”

  Axen’s gaze ran over her. “We have.” He felt pleasure as he noticed Eloise watching him.

  “Let me check your injuries.” Eloise stood and moved towards him. “Then we can both wash this beast’s blood off us and get moving.”

  “I want to check you over again as well,” said Axen. “I’m still not convinced you haven’t been harmed in any way. That beast cat was on top of you when I discovered you.”

  “You’re the one who needs looking after,” said Eloise. “I’m fine.”

  Axen smiled. He didn’t think anyone had ever offered to look after him before.

  Eloise shrugged off her trousers and then turned and looked at Axen. “Shall we?”

  “Wait.” Axen surveyed the borders around the pool. No trace of any Fraken beasts. He knelt and beat his hand against the water, looking for any signs of an animal lurking underneath. “It appears to be safe.”

  “The water is clear,” said Eloise. “I can’t see anything. The pool is empty. Let’s get clean. I’m so sick of smelling of blood.”

  Axen nodded and turned away as he shrugged off his own clothes and laid his weapons to one side. When he turned back to Eloise, her vest was also lying on the ground, and she was now in the water. He stood at the edge and watched her. She was beautiful. His muscles tightened, and his heart beat faster than he liked.

  “Are you going to get in?” asked Eloise.

  “You know I’m not a good swimmer.”

  “I can touch the bottom. You’ll be fine. I’ll help you if you get into trouble.”

  Axen snorted and then strode into the water. He washed the dirt and blood from his legs before immersing himself fully. When he came up from under the water, Eloise had gone.

  He turned swiftly, his senses on high alert. Was there a Fraken beast he’d missed lurking beneath the surface? He crashed through the water in search of Eloise.

  She emerged behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Humans are good at swimming underwater,” she whispered in his ear.

  Axen began to turn towards Eloise, but she kept a firm grip on his shoulders. “Let me wash the dirt out of these wounds. I want to see how bad they are before using the Healing Stick on them.”

  “I barely feel them.” Axen winced under Eloise’s touch. Maybe the wounds were deeper than he realized.

  “Let me be the judge of that.”

  “I didn’t know you had medical training.”

  “I don’t,” said Eloise. “But I can see when someone’s been hurt.” Her fingers ran over his back several times, but she was careful to avoid the wounds. “They should be able to heal with a couple of swipes of a Healing Stick.”

  “I knew there was nothing to be concerned about,” said Axen.

  “Stubborn alien warrior,” grumbled Eloise.

  “Stubborn human woman.” Axen turned in the water and faced Eloise. Her blue eyes gleamed at him as the light dipped below the trees. He reached forward and held her narrow chin in his fingers. She felt so fragile under his touch, and the thought of harming her made his stomach clench.

  “We’re going to get out of this,” said Eloise.

  “I’ll do everything I can to get us free,” said Axen.

  “And I’ll help.” Eloise closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Axen leaned forward and kissed her. Eloise’s mouth opened, her tongue pressed against his, and she let out a low moan.

  Axen growled in response and pulled her even closer. The water was cold, and for that, he was grateful. With Eloise’s naked body pressing against him, his desire was almost uncontrollable. He wanted to explore every inch of her, to lay her down and see just how compatible Vortens and humans really were.

  “You aren’t running away?” Eloise kissed down Axen’s throat.

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  “You did the last time we kissed.”

  “To keep you safe,” said Axen, “to make sure I kept my word never to hurt you.”

  “It hurt me when you left.” Eloise wrapped her legs around Axen’s waist and her breasts pressed into his chest.

  Axen fought his desire for her. Why was she doing this? After he’d almost killed her, how could she possibly want him?

  Eloise pulled back and looked him in the eyes, her gaze calm. “What’s wrong?”

  “Do you want this?” asked Axen.

  Eloise’s eyes widened. “Do you mean, do I want you?”

  Axen nodded. “I don’t want you to feel you have to do this.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “Because of our situation,” said Axen. “I understand why you might feel you have to do this. But I’ll get you free from the game no matter what.”

  “I’m not offering myself to you in exchange for your help.” Eloise unlocked her legs from around Axen’s waist and slid down into the water.

  “I wouldn’t be offended if you did,” said Axen. “It makes sense why you might expect to offer me something in return for my help.” He couldn’t understand why Eloise still wanted him. After everything they’d been through and the way he’d treated her. But she was still by his side, still fighting with him, and keeping him as safe as she could. Her protective urges seemed as strong as his.

  Eloise frowned and stared across the water. “You can’t think much of me if you believe I’d trade my body for an escape plan.”

  “I would expect you to use every resource possible to remain safe.”

  “So you’d be happy for me to trade my flesh to another guy when we get out of the games if there was something I needed?”

  Axen growled. “I would not like that.”

  “But if it helped me get what I wanted, I should do it.” Eloise glared at Axen. “That’s just what you told me to do.”

  “If you were mine, I would not want that.”

  “Well, I’m not yours,” said Eloise. “I belong to no man or alien.”

  Axen’s hands clenched into fists beneath the water. He wanted her as his own. Needed to lay claim to her and make sure no other male could possess her as he longed to. “I did not mean to offend you.”

  Eloise sighed. “Maybe at the beginning of all this, it did cross my mind that you might be interested in me in that way. And I did consider negotiating a deal with you. But I couldn’t do it. It wouldn’t have been right. And you’d have known anyway that I didn’t really want you. Although, for some men, that wouldn’t have mattered.”

  “It matters to me,” growled Axen. “Vorten never take women against their will.”

  “It wouldn’t have been against my will,” said Eloise. “But it wouldn’t have been something I offered so completely to you. Like I’m doing now.”

  Axen pulled Eloise close to him again and ran his hands through her dark hair. He wanted to be with her. And he did want more from her. He wanted to explore this amazing woman in every possible way. “I do want you. I want to make you scream my name as I bury myself into you and make you tremble in pleasure as you come with me inside you. I want to hear you cry my name in pleasure, not pain or fear.”

  Eloise shuddered in his arms. “I wa
nt that too.”

  “But not here and not in these conditions.” He kissed her mouth. Axen wanted Eloise to feel safe and comfortable when they finally gave in to their desires. He wanted to give her everything he could. He didn’t want to be an indebted Vorten anymore. He had something worth fighting for now.

  Eloise let out a shaky sounding laugh. “Even you’re not hot enough to turn me on when we’re surrounded by so much danger.”

  Axen slid his hand along Eloise’s warm folds and teased her clitoris with his fingers, making her gasp. “Are you sure about that?”

  She laughed and pushed against his chest. “That’s not playing fair.”

  Axen eased a finger into Eloise’s hot center. He watched her lips part, and she tipped her head back. His body tingled with the prospect of what was to come. He had something to live for now, and he knew things had to change. But not just for him. His plans were bigger than that.

  He leaned down and kissed Eloise gently on the lips. “I want this. And we will be together. I will spend my time enjoying you. But we have work to do first.”

  Chapter 20

  Evening descended as they dried themselves and dressed. Eloise treated Axen’s back wounds with a Healing Stick and then packed the few remaining items in their bags.

  “We need to get to the planned escape point,” said Axen.

  Eloise noticed Axen’s fists were clenched. “Will that be a problem? We’re not far from the entrance point the Fraken shoved me through.”

  “It’s not the distance that’s the issue,” said Axen. “The risk lies in how much the Fraken have figured out. They are clever. If they intercepted even a part of the coded message I sent through the comms link, they will be on the lookout for a problem. We need to keep in deep cover until the last few seconds and hope the message got through unnoticed.”

  “And if it hasn’t?” Eloise swallowed at the stern expression on Axen’s face.

  “Then we’re both going to become prey.”

  Eloise reached up and cupped Axen’s chin in both her hands. “Then we’ll fight everything they throw at us together. But we are getting out of this. I trust you.”