Taming a Raven

by Kathleen Lash

  He grasped a thin writing implement and took notes. She seemed determined to keep working and her suffering wouldn’t be wasted. After depressing a button on the desk, he ordered, “The Zyone sector, ful engines.”

  “Aye, Sir,” LeRoy replied.

  She cupped her hands to bring a grouping of planets closer. Making them grow, she spun each one with the tip of a finger. She seemed mesmerized as it twirled in front of her pitch eyes.

  “Do you know where he is?”

  “Balasta don chewertai infatamal,” she drawled, enunciating each word from the foul language perfectly in a guttural, foreign voice. We’ll strike from within.

  “Theazian bastard!” He resisted the urge to grab hold of her arm and drag her from where she’d gone. He believed then her reluctance to fly was justified. And she’d done so without him knowing how to help. Her journey proved her to be either the biggest fool or bravest woman he’d ever met.

  “Blood heat, Blaize ablaze, the stench of wide waters, running, churning over burning rocks.” Her voice became deeper and more forceful. “Steam hissing, water crying as it dies and trails upward. Red lakes of sand, surrounded by torrid tangles of trees.”

  “There are eight planets, only eight. Which one, Reina?”

  Her upper lip went back to display an evil smile. His skin al but crawled as she looked beyond the spinning planets and focused on something stationary. “Abyss, brimstone, home, home, home, homehomehome.”

  He forced his voice to sound neutral. “Reina, it’s Gage. You’re on a ship, you’re safe. You’ve done your duty and you must come back now. Can you hear me?”

  “Ravania blouz caretta!” The raven bitch dies.

  Not this woman, Theazian bastard. Not on my watch and not aboard my ship! The words left him utterly cold. He slammed his fist on the console and the image from the link evaporated. Her hands stil ed in midair as her breathing became less normal. The rim of her lips gained a bluish cast.

  He grabbed her smal hands into his and immediately felt the pul to join her in the place of nothingness. He concentrated on the chil of her fingers, the deathly pal or of her skin and the black of her eyes. She’d not be let go. She’d come back to his quarters. He’d drag her every inch of the way if necessary. The extent of her trust hadn’t been known at the beginning of her journey. He understood then and would do what was necessary to bring her back.

  “It’s over, Lady. I have you. You’re safe.”

  Her shoulders fel forward as her fingers grasped him tightly. She deepened the air she took in and he relaxed a bit. Her voice sounded weak and strained when she said, “Through his eyes, through his eyes I saw… He knew I was there.” A cold sweat formed on her upper lip and forehead. The shaking of her body seemed uncontrol able. He’d been told the process could be uncomfortable. Uncomfortable, hell! He stood and gathered her up from the chair. The need to hold more than just her hands spurred him to act, made him believe if he captured al of her, he could keep her from slipping away.

  Her featherlight weight surprised him. Most women seemed smal to him but with her generous breasts and firm, round ass, he expected her to be more of a burden, denser somehow. His concern deepened at how cold she’d gotten. Her slim arms came around his neck as she clung. With the shaking worsening, he momentarily couldn’t fathom what to do.

  “Lady, are you with me?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Her teeth chattered.

  His arms ached from the cold body pressed against him. He could only imagine how she felt. He crossed the room and stood before the chair.

  “Lounge,” he ordered. The chair obeyed and unfolded into a comfortable lounger. He bent to lay her upon it and she embraced him tighter. The strength in her faded and he final y placed her down when her arms went limp. “Adjust. Heat.” The furniture adjusted to her body and warmed her. He jerked the blanket from the bed and stuffed it over and around her, tucking her in. Her pupils receded a bit and a slim ring of amber became visible. She continued to shiver as he bent and brushed damp hair from her face. He’d been about to summon the medical team when she reached up and grasped his wrist. “General?”

  “Yes?”

  “Did I give you a location?”

  “Close, Lady. Worry not about such now, I’l cal a physician to help.”

  “No need. A moment, Sir, and I’l help you find a more precise location. The cold and sleepiness are common.” She yawned and shuddered, curling against herself under the thick covers.

  “I have enough landmarks to search on my own for a while. Get some rest.”

  “I should help you, Sir.” She blinked tiredly before yawning again.

  “My orders aren’t usual y open for debate or discussion.” He stroked her forehead and she already felt warmer, a slight blush coming to her cheeks.

  “I’l manage.”

  He straightened his posture and continued to watch. Her eyes stayed closed longer and longer as her pupils grew smal er with each blink. The use of the col ar occurred to him then, remembering ravens sometimes flew in a direction not conducive to a mission. The thought of using the brain-piercing electronics on her while she opened herself to the blackness and freezing cold so repel ed him he leaned over, unfastened it and took it from her slim throat. The thought of other military personnel using the device on such delicate creatures sickened him. He removed the wristband and stuffed both items into a drawer before slamming it shut. They weren’t animals and with a bit of coaxing, he’d been able to somewhat guide her. If the need arose in the future, he’d be prepared and a damn sight more helpful.

  At the console, he ran inquiries and pinpointed the planet Infur. With temperatures hovering at or above 125 degrees F, wide running rivers with a high sulfur content, active volcanoes, areas of jungle and massive deep caverns, it appeared the most likely. It had many characteristics of Theazia prior to its destruction. No wonder the bastard thought of home.

  His next task would be to decipher what the Theazian was thinking when Reina said, We’ll strike from within.

  Chapter Three

  Reina came ful y awake a short time later beset with excitement. She’d flown with a purpose and succeeded in what she’d been trained. It hadn’t taken hours to locate the target as she’d been cautioned it might. It’d taken minutes. Certain the speed came from having so much information prior to starting, she immediately felt less insecure about her abilities. Surely the general would be impressed or at the very least less angry with her.

  Warm, surrounded by an extremely soft cover, she wondered lazily for a moment if she’d dreamed the adventure with the general and boarding the Raze. The general, her mind purred, her thoughts softening. Such a magnificent specimen. His sun-colored hair hung in soft waves to his shoulders. His piercing blue eyes were the exact color of water running in the low val ey rivers on Haven. The mental image of his big, heavily muscled body beneath his uniform made her swal ow the moisture that flowed into her mouth. She’d been snatched from the breeding chamber prior to the mating and her body suddenly remembered what it’d been prepared for. It wasn’t unusual to wake with sexual hunger, but its talons sunk deeply and instantly this time. Her bed adjusted and something settled next to her hip.

  “Lady Reina, is there something I can get for you? Your sleep seemed troubled.”

  Not a dream! Remembering he didn’t want use of her body, she tried desperately to form an appropriate response. “Perhaps if I sat up?” The blanket moved and he gently helped her to sit. The man had such large and powerful hands attached to amazingly muscled arms. She rubbed her neck where the compliance device had been. “Have I proven myself to be a good pet so soon, General?”

  “You won’t refer to yourself as such again.”

  Anger must be soul deep in the man to have it so readily available. She asked softly, “Compliant raven?”

  “Person, woman, lady, female, tracker—any of those would do.”

  “You find offense with my heritage, Sir?” The term raven was missing in names she
could use in reference to herself.

  He stood and glared down at her. She tried not to smile, realizing the general liked holding the advantage by towering above her. His left hand went up and opened close to his face. He used the thumb to rub one eye while the fingers rubbed the other. At last something new came from him. Anger appeared to give way to frustration. “The col ar’s been used to…”

  “Its use and necessity have been explained to me. I knew to expect it. I also know when I take flight and my body remains grounded, it mirrors something animalistic to those who aren’t raven. Hence, I used the term pet, as in animal. We’ve quibbled about the word compliance. Real y, Sir, is al this discussion over such simple statements necessary?” He drew a breath and she rushed her words. “No, please hold for a moment as I form my question—yes, I believe I have it now. Were you pleased with my compliance?”

  He glared and she didn’t bother to temper the irritation in her voice when she asked, “If not, Sir, why did you remove the col ar?”

  “Because I found the blasted thing around your neck offensive.”

  “Oh.” Its removal had nothing to do with her flight or the information she provided. So much for impressing him.

  Her arms crossed to ward off a chil and a groan almost escaped. She repositioned her arms so they wouldn’t rub against her sensitive breasts. She needed to take care. They were ful , swol en, and the hard nipples rubbed infuriatingly against the warm, supple leather. Miserable at the moment, she tried not to think about the wetness between her legs.

  To wake in such a state with a male who wanted naught to do with her gave rise to insecurities barely laid to rest. She couldn’t say the right thing, his constant angry scrutiny relayed she couldn’t do the right thing and she seemed more nuisance to him than anything. Her stomach made a noise and she closed her eyes. Her humiliation was then complete.

  “When did you last eat?” Even her hunger irritated him. This adventure certainly wasn’t working out in any respect.

  “Two days ago, General.”

  “Why?” The single word relayed anger.

  “A fast to cleanse the blood, slow the metabolism to al ow the greatest chance of success in breeding.” She blurted it out before thinking. What she’d said though was simply a fact.

  “You’re starved before you breed?”

  She suddenly found offence with one of his words. “There’s a period of fasting, Sir. My weight is such I wouldn’t starve.”

  “Come with me, Lady, we’l get you fed.”

  She came to her feet, trying to obey, but swayed slightly because her knees wouldn’t separate fast enough. Her body desperately wanted something more than food. The pressure of her thighs clamped together created a lovely, tormenting sensation.

  Strong hands grabbed her upper arms and pushed her back down. Then crouching before her, stil holding her, he said, “You’l have something to eat here, you’re weak.” She enjoyed that voice, the one that rumbled nicely, without being threatening.

  “No, Sir. No special arrangements necessary. Give me a moment to shake the effects of my nap and there won’t be a problem.” He rubbed his thumbs over her arms gently but with firm pressure. She raised her gaze to his and wanted so badly to get closer.

  “I didn’t ask a question, Lady Reina. I said you’l eat here. When I’ve asked a question, you’l know because the last word or two wil give a rise to my voice.”

  His warm fingers and hands holding her, the deep timbre of his voice, and his intense blue eyes al suddenly came together to create a stirring inside, lower than her bel y. The tone of his words seemed to relay something and she knew it wasn’t anger. She looked at his lips, tilted her head slightly off-center while speculating about the man kissing another being. She wondered if the pressure of his mouth or if his taste would differ from that of a woman.

  The unusual darkening along his jaw drew her attention and she acted without thought. Her fingertips ran careful y along the textured skin. She felt her pupils dilate in surprise, al owing extra light so she could more closely examine him. She marveled and said, “Does this hurt you?”

  “What,” he asked, appearing distracted.

  “This roughness on your face. It’s so unusual and yet…” she explained, bringing her other hand up to experience both sides at once. “My touch doesn’t seem to cause discomfort.”

  The tip of her finger smoothed over his upper lip. “And here too,” she said, marveling at the remarkable difference. “It resembles hair but it’s harsh and tickles my skin.”

  “It’s hair, Lady.”

  She held his jaw with her left hand while her right went to the side of his face and stroked the length of his hair. She stopped at the ends and rubbed the softness to compare. “It couldn’t be, Sir. Your hair is sun-colored and feels like the softest fur. This is darker and rough.”

  “I need to shave.”

  “Shave?”

  “Laser the hair from my face.”

  “And if you didn’t…” A dawning came. “You’d have a beard like some men? You mean the hair on one’s face is intentional?” Astounding! Her eyes closed a bit in concentration as she inhaled. So different than anything she’d experienced. She smiled and decided his scent matched the rest of him. He smel ed of rain and storm clouds mixed with a tinge of atmosphere fol owing an electrical discharge from the sky. An aura of elemental strength surrounded him and the castoff radiated into her, warming her.

  His eyes became sharp, predatory as he straightened and stepped back. He glared as if she’d done something else wrong. His quick movements and retreat savaged her and she drew a shaky breath. With the strong sexual urges peaking, she trembled from the desire coursing through her blood.

  His repulsion made her stomach clench so she would then have to suffer double aches. One from emotional hurt and the other from hunger.

  Gage left and went into the adjoining cabin, the one Reina’d use while on board. The data link came to life with a wave of his hand and he made his request to the gal ey. Next he entered his security code. He had access others didn’t to every corner of the ship. No one but him and LeRoy could view inside a cabin. He’d never done so but felt completely justified to keep close tabs on the female.

  He watched Reina within his space. Even the sight of her close to his bed kept his aching, throbbing cock at ful attention. The slightest touch of her hands against his face had taken him dangerously close to something he hadn’t experienced in years. The remembrance of losing control in any manner stil shamed him. Albeit fighting for one’s life was considered extreme and forgivable, he’d not consciously given release to his dark side. It’d taken him over.

  Lost in her damn expressive eyes as she touched and discovered his face, he’d been overwhelmed with the urge to surprise her more by tasting her lips. It wouldn’t have stopped there. He wanted to pul the covering from her breasts to sample those thick, enticing nipples.

  Domineer men trained at an early age to control the urges, fight and master the craving that hastened their blood and made it pool hot and thick in their groin. At his age, to be so ful y distracted, even for a moment, caused him great concern. And to al ow himself to be caught up with the raven, the major’s only hope of rescue, was deplorable.

  She final y came to her feet and appeared tired and sore because her movements were slow and stiff. Her ailments couldn’t be too bad however because she walked across the room to the cabin control panel. The buttons weren’t labeled as accommodations on board al ships were identical. She appeared puzzled as she gently ran her fingers across the bumps without depressing any. She studied them before curiosity seemed to take her.

  Hesitantly she pressed one.

  The music came through the link and his smile broadened as she spun quickly around, trying to figure out what she’d done. The synthesized instruments flowed when one of his favorite pieces of Turlock’s Countenance streamed into the room through the wal s. As with the raven’s cal , it could be felt as wel as heard.
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br />   Her arms spread wide and she moved to the center of the cabin where sound could touch her from al directions, al levels. He could only view her back as she stood motionless. To see her expression would’ve pleased him as she heard one of the most beautiful recorded sounds in the universe.

  Dropping to her knees, she bent at the waist. Hair came forward to surround her as it fel against the floor. Her arms covered her head and he heard sounds of distress. He terminated the link with a wave of his hand before quickly walking back to his cabin. Once inside, he silenced the music and expected her to rise. He went to her cautiously, remembering to maintain distance.

  “Lady Reina?”

  Slowly she braced herself and turned her face up. Her haunted eyes and colorless face made concern override prudence. He hunkered down to her level, forgetting to keep space between them. Amber eyes, brimming with unshed tears, displayed a deep hurt. She whispered, “I set your angels free.”

  “My what?”

  “Your angels, Sir, the ones kept in the wal s.”

  “Turlock?”

  “Is that what you cal them?”

  The sound was angelic indeed but he wondered why she likened it to something more than a simple concerto. “He’s the composer of that piece of music.”

  “I don’t understand, Sir. What do the angels have to do with music?”

  “Music. Melody. The blending and balance of sound in harmony or discord.” He couldn’t comprehend the problem. She stood quickly, went to the link, sat and within seconds she programmed it to display complex strings of notes.

  “This is music, correct?” she asked.

  “Yes, musical notes. When combined—when played it creates music.” He spoke the words slowly for confusion remained.

  With a wave of her hand, a virtual keyboard appeared on the desk. Her fingers moved deftly as she paid slight attention to the complex sheet music.

  The piece she attempted was general y attacked by two musicians. His hand reached out and hovered over the volume and the melody became audible.