by S. E. Smith
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” She teased in a trembling voice. “Captain Tylis….”
“I know,” Ha’ven replied. “Arrow has gone to help him.”
“Ha’ven, we need to move,” Adalard said urgently. “Arrow said Kejon has broken off. He is heading for the other side of the asteroid. He won’t have much oxygen or power so he will be forced to land.”
“If we are going to take him, we need to do this now,” Bahadur added. “Personally, I’m going to enjoy killing the bastard.”
Ha’ven didn’t reply. He breathed in a deep breath once more before he reluctantly stepped back. He retained his hold on Emma’s hand before he turned with a nod.
The four of them moved with ease through the crowded corridors of the Spaceport. One look at the expressions on the faces of the three Curizan warriors was enough to have even the toughest inhabitant stepping aside.
Chapter 26
Kejon roared out in rage as he threw the helmet of the spacesuit across the large empty room. He was going to kill the entire traitorous crew of the Marastin Dow. He had pulled the truth out of the traitorous bitch that had lied to him in the medical unit. She had fought like a Sarafin bitch in heat. His face still stung from her nails. She had resisted until the end. Only as she drew in her last breath did she finally break, spilling the truth of Tylis’ deception.
He had still been too late to stop the arrogant Captain from taking the Prince’s bitch. The one advantage, the one power, the one tool he needed to ensure Ha’darra’s destruction, was gone. He had no other choice but to retreat for now. With his one advantage gone and the Marastin Dow’s warship no longer at his disposal, he would have to use the smaller transport he had hidden.
“I should have killed the female when I had the chance,” he muttered. “None of this would have happened if Aria had done her job in the first place and killed Ha’darra instead of playing with him.”
“But she didn’t kill me,” Ha’ven replied coldly as he stepped out of the door leading out to the Spaceport. “And soon you’ll join her in death.”
Kejon stopped in the middle of the open control room. Nothing remained in the room. The Antrox had dismantled and removed all the equipment when the mine was no longer profitable. He glanced at the door that led to the emergency launch bay. Bahadur stood in the doorway leading to it, a dark grin on his face and a bundle of wires in his hand.
“It would seem your transport is missing a few necessary wires from the control panel,” Bahadur smirked.
Hatred burned in Kejon’s eyes as he stared at the man Ben’qumain had trusted at one time. His stomach twisted at the knowledge that he had been tricked as well. He should have known never to trust anyone.
“You traitor,” Kejon hissed. “You are…”
“General Razdar Bahadur at your service,” Bahadur replied. “Loyal servant and protector to the Royal House of Ha’darra and Prince Ha’ven of Curizan.”
A choked laugh drew Kejon’s eyes to the doorway near Ha’ven. Adalard Ha’darra stood with a savage smile on his face. The muscles pulled tight over the long scar on his face.
“I’ll have to remember the remark about you being a servant, Bahadur,” he commented humorously before his eyes narrowed on Kejon. “You missed killing me as well, Kejon.”
*.*.*
Kejon paled as he took a step back, his hand moving to the laser pistol at his side. His eyes darted from one male to the next before finally settling on the small pale female standing slightly behind Ha’ven. Madness flashed through his mind as he realized he was trapped.
Power had been within his grasp and now it was gone. He had held it in his arms. The pale slip of a female had escaped, leading him on a path of self-destruction. It was her fault. If she had just been another of Ha’darra’s whores it wouldn’t have mattered but she was something more. He could feel the power in her. If she had submitted to him instead of making him believe she was dying, he could have claimed that power for himself. He should have killed her when he had the chance instead of taking the chance on Ha’darra reclaiming her.
Grim determination filled him as a new plan formed. He could still destroy Ha’ven Ha’darra. He would not live to enjoy it but he would know he had succeeded. He could kill most of the ruling family and their faithful, traitorous servant at the same time. He fingered the pistol in his hand, switching the power to full at the same time as he focused the power inside his body.
“I may have missed you once but I won’t this time,” Kejon hissed out.
His eyes flashed to Bahadur who was now eyeing him with a wary caution. A nasty smile twisted his lips before his gaze rested on Ha’ven Ha’darra. Triumph flooded him when the female stepped closer to Ha’darra and threaded her fingers with the Curizan Prince.
“So sweet,” he retorted savagely. “The Prince and his mate. Together in life and in death.”
Wild laughter escaped Kejon as he threw the overloaded laser pistol up into the air above his head and directed the full force of his power into it. A bright flash lit up the control room before the explosion of overcharged particles sent out a shockwave as it exploded. The super-heated charge incinerated Kejon within seconds even as the overheated wave stretched out to engulf the room.
*.*.*
Ha’ven yelled out a warning as he realized what Kejon was planning. Bahadur jerked open the door behind him and fell to the floor of the outer room before slamming the heavy metal door shut with his foot. Even so, the door glowed a bright red as the overheated charge hit it.
Adalard rushed forward to protect his brother and Emma as the wave flashed toward them. At the same time, Emma and Ha’ven raised their joined hands at the on-coming wave. A shield formed around the three of them, protecting them as the wave and subsequent shock wave rolled around them.
“What the …?” Adalard murmured in a shocked voice as he watched the rock walls of the room glow a brilliant red from the superheated air. “How…?”
Adalard turned to look at his brother and Emma. Both were glowing brightly, Ha’ven with black bands with red and gold threading through it and Emma with a host of colors laced with a touch of the black. His eyes widened as Emma’s colors weaved in and out of the black of his brother’s essence, almost as if she were dancing with him.
*.*.*.
Ha’ven breathed deeply as the powerful explosion and super-heated air slowly pushed against the shield he and Emma had created. His power had risen immediately when he sensed his mate was in mortal danger. His only thought was to protect her. The dark mist of power inside him rose as if it was a living thing inside him. That was the second time he had felt as if another entity was inside him.
When he feared losing control he had felt Emma’s calming influence as her essence wrapped with him. He knew the moment her powers blended with his own. His mind cleared and strength flooded him as it did only when she touched him.
He turned and watched as Emma stood looking out over the room. Her face creased in concentration as her power expanded outward. The fierce determination on it drew a smile to his face.
She is absolutely beautiful, he thought in awe.
He waited as Emma’s colors reached out, expanding and cooling the room until the walls once again were a dull gray. Only then did he lower his arm and calm the power burning inside him.
Emma still glowed as she continued to focus. He couldn’t resist brushing his fingers through the colorful array still swirling around her. Warmth and peace flooded him.
“I love you, my Emma,” he whispered as she slowly blinked. “You are truly a gift from the Goddess.”
Emma started as she realized that they were no longer in danger. She blinked several times before looking up at Ha’ven in confusion. Her eyes darted around the room before she looked up again.
“What did you say?” She asked.
Ha’ven chuckled as he brushed his fingers along her cheek. “I said you are truly a gift from the Goddess. One I will be thankful for every day of our
lives.”
Emma’s eyes widened before she giggled. “You have no idea,” she murmured before she threw her arms around his neck and clung to him. “Can we go home now?”
Ha’ven lifted her in his arms and squeezed her tightly against his chest. “Anything for you, misha petite. Anything for you,” he repeated before he pressed a kiss to her lips.
Adalard looked at his brother and Emma for a moment before he rolled his eyes. “I’ll just go see if Bahadur is alive. No need to stop what you are doing. I can handle this on my own. I’m sure he is alive so no need to worry about him,” he said dryly before shaking his head in disgust. “Love! It is a good thing I’m immune to that,” he muttered as he strode across the empty control room.
Chapter 27
Ha’ven ignored the stares as he carried Emma through the narrow corridors and back to where the Rayon I was docked. His arms tightened protectively around her slender body as several traders looked greedily at her hair and pale complexion. Two of them collapsed in a heap on the dirty floor as he walked by. Ha’ven raised his eyebrow at Adalard and Bahadur.
“We didn’t like the way they were looking at her,” both men responded with a grin.
“Besides, I was really hoping to kill someone and Kejon took that pleasure away,” Adalard said.
“You killed those two men?” Emma asked in shocked.
Adalard glanced down at Emma’s pale face. “No, little one, we just stunned them,” he assured her, shooting a warning look at Bahadur.
“Yes, just stunned them,” Bahadur agreed hurriedly. “What are your plans now, Ha’ven? There are still traitors. Kejon was only one on the list we have gathered. Do you wish for me to go after the others?”
Ha’ven rounded the corner leading to the lift that would take them down to the docking bays. He stepped into it as the doors opened. Once the doors closed behind him, he turned and replied to Bahadur’s question.
“Yes, I want you and Arrow to strike them hard,” Ha’ven replied grimly. “I will not take a chance of them trying to kill my mate again. Arrow will need to transfer over to your transport. I will need Adalard and the Rayon I.”
“Are we returning to Ceran-Pax?” Adalard asked, startled.
“No, there is one place we must go before we can return home,” Ha’ven replied.
He stepped out of the lift as the doors opened. Striding up the long access tunnel, he quickly gave a nod to the Ensign on duty. He nodded to Bahadur who bowed briefly before heading off in the opposite direction to his transport.
Ha’ven continued down the long access bridge that connected the Rayon I to the docking station. He stepped onto the warship and continued until he came to the lift that would take him up to his quarters. Adalard scooted in behind him before the doors closed.
“Are you going to tell me where you are taking my warship?” Adalard asked in exasperation. “It helps my navigation crew if I can give them directions.”
“We are going to Emma’s world,” Ha’ven responded. “I need you to contact Creon and ask him for the location of her planet.”
“You… we…,” Emma whispered, looking up stunned at Ha’ven’s hard face. “Why?”
Ha’ven didn’t reply. He stepped out of the lift, leaving a stunned Adalard behind to follow through with his orders. He didn’t speak again until they were enclosed in his living quarters. Only when he had her safely alone did he release the tight control he had kept on his emotions.
He gently set her down onto her feet but pulled her back into his arms. His body trembled with relief at having her safe again. He threaded his fingers through her long hair and claimed her lips in a desperate attempt to wash away the last of his fear.
“I love you, Emma,” he whispered hoarsely. “I did not know fear until you came into my life. I did not understand what it was like to live in warmth until you touched me.”
“Then why are you taking me to my world?” She asked in a small voice. “Are you… are you going to leave me there?”
“No!” Ha’ven swore hotly. “No, my Emma. I thought… hoped…” he breathed out in frustration as he tilted her chin up so she had to look into his eyes. “I do not want you to ever regret or have doubts about staying with me. I know you feel guilty about leaving your mother behind. I want to meet her. To let her know that you will always be cared for and loved.”
Emma’s eyes glittered with tears at the unselfish gift he was giving her. Unable to speak, she pressed her lips to his to let him know that he had given her a priceless gift – his unconditional love. Their lips connected with increasing passion.
“I want you,” he said thickly. “I need you.”
“As I need you,” she whispered against his lips.
Ha’ven’s lips curved and with a wave of his hand, they stood naked in the middle of his shower unit. Warm water fell around them like rain as he pressed kisses along her jaw. His hands sliding around her to lift her higher.
“I could really get used to that,” she breathed out. “I love you, Ha’ven Ha’darra.”
Ha’ven’s heart swelled as he pressed her against the wall of the shower. “I want to touch you,” he demanded in a husky voice.
Emma leaned back against the wall to give him room to explore. He was held mesmerized as he moved his hands tenderly over her sensitive skin. The feel of his calloused hands was slightly rough against the smoothness of her skin.
He leaned back so he could look down at her body. Her breasts were softly rounded. Her rose-colored nipples taut with desire. His mouth watered at the thought of sucking on them.
Pouring a small amount of the cleansing liquid into his palms, he rubbed them over her shoulders and down over her breasts. He loved the way she moaned and arched into his hands. He cupped the slight weight of her breasts in his hands and ran his thumbs over the distended tips.
“Ha’ven,” Emma moaned, rocking her hips back and forth to the rhythm of his touch.
“Soon, my Emma,” he answered in a passion-laden voice. “Soon. I need to touch you.”
Ha’ven continued his exploration across her smooth belly before kneeling before her. His hands rested for a moment as he thought of what it would be like to see her swell with his young. A sharp pain of longing swept through him.
Was this what Creon and Vox felt when they held their mates? He wondered distractedly. Did they feel the same desire to see their mates with young the way he was feeling right now?
For the first time, he was envious of what his friends had. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to Emma’s stomach. His eyes closed briefly as she wound her hands in his hair and held him close.
Opening his eyes, he let his hot breath caress the soft curls covering her womanhood. His fingers massaged the cleansing liquid through them even as the warm water rinsed it away. His fingers slipped between her legs, opening her to his touch. Her hips bucked as he bent forward and nipped the soft mound.
“I want you,” Emma cried out.
“And so you shall have me,” Ha’ven muttered as he spread her lips.
Hot moisture touched his tongue as her essence responded to his touch. The slickness had nothing to do with the water or the cleansing liquid and everything to do with her need. He pushed his fingers deep into her vaginal channel loving the way she clenched around him.
His tongue lapped at her swollen nub, teasing and stimulating it until she shattered in his mouth. He drank greedily from her. Her soft cries wrapping around his cock like a hard fist. With a loud curse, he rose and turned her until she was facing the wall of the shower. He pulled her hips out and aligned his aching shaft with her swollen channel. Holding her around the waist with one arm, he braced his other hand against the wall as he drove deeply into her.
A shudder coursed through him as he stretched her hot walls. She tightly gripped him, still pulsing from her orgasm. It was as if she was holding his shaft in her slender hands, squeezing and pumping him at the same time.
With a wave of his hand, they were in his bed. Hi
s body still attached to hers. She was on her hands and knees, bracing against the weight of him as he leaned over her. He pulled her hips back against him.
“I will never get enough of you,” he breathed out as he drove into her over and over.
“I… Ha’ven…” Emma tried to speak but all she could do was lean forward, spreading her legs further for him.
Ha’ven looked down between them watching as his shaft disappeared into her. Over and over again, he watched the exotic sight as he bound them together as one. His balls drew up until he thought they might burst but still he fought to hold back so he could enjoy the beauty of their joining. He watched as the black bands swirled from his fingers where he gripped her. His breath caught when her body shuddered as the warm bands wrapped around her.
“The joining,” he whispered.
The bands slid over her shoulders to cup her breasts. More bands wrapped around her hips, circling her thighs and up along the line of her ass. Her own colors rose to dance along the bands. His breath exploded out of him as they reached out encasing him. His head fell backwards as his hips jerked forward, his seed spilling deep inside her.
“Goddess!” He cried out.
A golden light filled the room and for a moment, Ha’ven could have sworn that he saw the universe spread open before him. The golden shimmer of the beginning of time smiling down on him and his mate before he collapsed over Emma’s limp form.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you for bringing her into my life,” he said as he pulled Emma back against his chest and wrapped his arms protectively around her.
You’re welcome, my brave Curizan warrior, Aikaterina whispered as she looked down at the sleeping couple.
Chapter 28
Emma stood wrapped in the warmth of Ha’ven’s arms. Silent tears coursed down her cheeks as she looked at the headstone in front of her. They had arrived on Earth several days before. She had been excited and nervous at the same time.