by Kate Rudolph
“We’ll set up a meeting with the Legion council. They may have some requirements for you, but they were understanding with Kayde and I, I can’t imagine they’d be any different with you.”
“What kind of requirements?” asked Amy. She’d been taking notes on her comm and Doryan was glad. His mind was spinning with everything he’d learned.
Raze shrugged. “Some testing, perhaps some interviews. They want to know how soulless can find their mates. Not all of them want us gone.”
“And how do we help the remaining soulless?” Doryan asked. “We can’t just let them die.”
Raze smiled. “I hoped you’d say that.” And his gaze turned to Amy.
AMY STARED AT THE DETYEN warrior and waited for him to talk. She still had things she wanted to know about what could happen to Doryan and she wouldn’t be satisfied until she was sure he’d be safe. But Doryan didn’t seem particularly concerned now that Raze had promised the meeting.
And she could admit she was curious. Her heart hurt at the thought of the soulless Detyens whose heads were on the chopping block. It didn’t seem fair, but she didn’t know what to do about it.
“What?” she finally asked. She hated playing the waiting game, even though she could excel when necessary. But her patience had been tested over the past week and she was getting close to her breaking point.
“Between Kayde and I, the Legion has been able to capture a lot of information about the formerly soulless,” said Raze. He bounced his daughter on his knee and she smiled, though she stayed quiet, thankfully. Amy liked kids well enough, but she’d heard enough of her nieces and nephews screaming to last a lifetime. “I’m sure they’ll be able to learn more from Doryan. They might even get answers as to why we could find our mates when others haven’t. But we need to give the new council, and the current Legion council, assurances that the soulless aren’t a danger to anyone.”
“You need someone to monitor them,” she said. Well, she and Kyla had wanted a job with the Legion. Amy hadn’t expected this, but life was full of surprises. “I’m not a cop,” she added, in case that wasn’t obvious. “And I can’t be there watching people every moment.”
“No,” Raze agreed, “you can’t. But you and your partner—yes, we looked up your business—can identify threats and potential issues. We don’t want to take away anyone’s freedom, but we need something.”
“And you think two private investigators will be enough to monitor potentially hundreds of people?” When she said it like that, the job was too daunting of a prospect to even consider. She glanced at Doryan. Would this be the cost of his freedom? She’d pay it.
“There are hundreds of soulless,” said Raze, “but you’d be monitoring a few dozen at the most. It would be a test program to see if there’s any hope for reintegrating the soulless into a society outside the Legion. We no longer need to scour the galaxy looking for the people who destroyed our planet. We need to find another way to live. All of us. I don’t want to start our new life with a slaughter.”
“And if I do this, Doryan will be safe?” she confirmed. Raze might have promised the meeting, but Amy was thorough, and she wasn’t going to agree to anything that would put her mate at risk.
“He should be,” said Raze, “I will do everything I can to make sure he is.”
He wasn’t in any position of power to offer more, she knew, but it still rankled. “What about Lieutenant NaMasee?” If he was part of NaPyrsee’s new council, she needed that handled.
“There’s no love lost between him and the soulless,” Raze admitted, “but I never knew him to be as hard line as NaPyrsee. Let me talk to him, see if he can be reasonable. Perhaps we can put this thing behind us.”
Amy wasn’t so optimistic. She could remember the bruises and cuts that had covered Doryan after his fight with NaMasee, and those weren’t left by a reasonable man. But maybe Raze was right. Maybe it was the emotions running high at the settlement that had set him off. Doryan wasn’t objecting to Raze’s assessment, so she would play along.
For now.
“It’s probably still best if you lay low for awhile,” Dryce told them as they prepared to leave. “Let Raze and I get things in motion. We’ll contact you.”
Amy was going to go crazy from the waiting, but she didn’t see another path. Yet.
“How long?” asked Doryan. It had to be even worse for him. He’d been living in emotionless darkness for more than half a decade and now he was basically confined to house arrest.
“A week, maybe a little more. Trust us.” And with that, Dryce, Raze, and Remy left the cafe.
“One more week,” said Doryan, but he didn’t look happy about it.
One more week. Amy just hoped that by the end they’d be free.
Chapter Eighteen
WAITING WAS HELL NOW that Doryan could feel. He hadn’t realized just how much patience he’d been forced to have before, but now that the days and hours were ticking by so slowly, he was going mad. It had been two days since they’d talked to Raze and Dryce and there’d been no word since, not that he’d expected any.
Amy had taken one heated comm call from Kyla, but her partner was not in the mood to talk, so they were cut off from the rest of the world. He supposed he could call one of the NaZades, but they had to be caught up in preparing to go find Manda’s family, and if the Legion could come down on him at any minute he didn’t want them in any danger.
Had his mind raced like this before his emotions were taken away? He couldn’t remember.
He sensed Amy approach before he saw her, and her arms wrapped around him, holding him in place. He could have broken the hold, but he’d never break away from his mate. That would be madness.
“You’re going stir crazy, aren’t you?” she asked. She held on tight, squeezing almost hard enough to cut off air, and it grounded Doryan in the moment. For the first time in hours he could breathe.
“A little,” he admitted.
“A little?” She laughed against him, her chest rising and falling quickly. “I can see your path in the carpet all worn down.”
“I have too much energy to sit.” He’d tried that. He’d lasted all of ten minutes before springing back up and pacing again.
“Hmm.” Her fingers traced a pattern on his back. “Too much energy? I think I know the cure for that.”
They’d spent a lot of time in bed. And in the shower. And on the couch. If they were beside one another for more than a few minutes with nothing else to do, they couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. And Doryan reveled in it. He never felt more alive than when he was inside his mate, and his hunger for her had only grown over the past days.
He’d heard newly mated pairs teased for their incessant lust, but he’d never known just how all consuming it could be. Or how much he could want it.
Amy’s hands slid under his shirt before pulling it over his head. She kissed across his chest, running her tongue over his clan markings until he was groaning with pleasure, his cock straining against his pants. She pushed him back until he was leaning against the wall, and then she sank to her knees, taking his pants with her as he went.
Doryan looked down at the same moment she looked up, their gazes locking.
He trembled.
He’d never known this kind of need before, he’d never imagined it could take him over. But his mate could have him mad with want with one look, one touch. She was some kind of sorceress and he was gladly under her spell.
And when she took him into her mouth he understood magic.
She’d learned exactly what he liked, her tongue swirling around his head and tracing over the ridges of his cock. She gripped his base firmly and stroked, bringing him right to the edge of pleasure before backing off, letting him come down, and starting over again.
It was a game they’d begun to play, drawing out their lovemaking, trying to break each other with ecstasy. And no matter what happened, they both won.
She swallowed him again and Doryan’s hips buc
ked. He had almost no control of himself, he’d given it all over to Amy and she took it. Her fingers dug into his ass, the pressure just enough to make him feel everything that much more.
Another moan escaped and he babbled incoherent phrases, words he knew his translator couldn’t handle, but he was beyond caring as he rode the waves of pleasure Amy gave him.
The sound he made when she pulled away made her grin, and he took in her red cheeks and bright eyes, her hair mussed and lips swollen, and he knew he’d never seen a more beautiful sight.
His cock ached and he needed more, but his mate wouldn’t leave him like that. She’d torture him with pleasure, but she wasn’t cruel. She led him through the door to the bedroom and threw off her clothes before laying down on the bed, legs wide and inviting. She crooked a finger at him, and Doryan stroked his dick, just taking her in.
Denya.
Mate.
His.
He followed her down, taking her mouth in a swift kiss, his fingers finding her tight heat and dipping in, making her ready for his cock. She was already wet and writhing, ready for him to claim her.
His teeth ached and an ancient instinct rose up within him. Something primal. Long ago there had been more than just sex involved in a claiming. The ancients had marked their mates with teeth and sometimes claws, leaving evidence for all to see.
He set his mouth on her neck, letting his sharp teeth tease her skin, just enough so that she felt it, but not breaking the skin. Amy moaned again and it took more control than he thought he possessed not to bite down. And when she arched her neck against him, he had to pull back before he did something that couldn’t be undone.
But she laced her fingers through his short hair and pulled him back down. “Yes,” she gasped out, “do it.”
Did she know what she was asking? What his instincts were driving at him to do?
“I want it,” she begged. “Bite me.”
She did.
Doryan’s teeth ached to sink into her, but her permission gave him the control he needed to slow down. He kissed along her jaw and neck, nipping lightly and grinning against her as she moaned.
He guided his cock to her entrance and groaned as her tight heat enveloped him. He lost himself in the sensation, sinking inside of her, feeling her surround him as they were connected in the most primal of ways.
Almost the most primal of ways.
Were his teeth sharper now, or did his focus make them feel that way? He didn’t know, couldn’t care, not as sensation overwhelmed him and he moved with his mate, pulling and pushing within her while his face was buried against her neck.
He could feel everything, his legs against the soft sheets of her bed, her body hot and slick, the slight chill in the air, the way the scent of their sex swirled around them. And that was just the physical. His heart was overfull, his mind expanding with emotions he’d forgotten or never felt in the first place. There was more to this bond between them than just sex, and his heart wanted to cry out in joy for it.
But they weren’t close enough.
As he moved deep inside of her, his teeth found that perfect spot one more time, and this time he couldn’t resist. He bit down, breaking the skin and tasting the essence of his mate.
It sent her over, her body rippling around his cock as she came, crying out his name and making other wordless sounds he couldn’t interpret.
With another stroke, he emptied himself inside of her, spent.
They stayed locked together like that for some time. And the bond pulsed between them, even stronger than before.
AMY TRACED OVER THE bruise on her neck, shivering as she remembered Doryan’s teeth there, teasing her, marking her. She hadn’t been worried, she’d known he would never hurt her. But it had felt like so much more in the moment that she was shocked that it was only a bit darker than a serious hickey.
God, was she nineteen again? She had a brand new boyfriend that she couldn’t keep her hands off of and she couldn’t stop smiling. All signs pointed to yes.
She knew the bubble would have to burst eventually. They’d been ensconced in her apartment for the better part of the week, with only a few minor interruptions to remind them that the outside world existed. Once Raze got back to them, or she had to go to work, or a handful of other things happened, they’d need to face the world.
They were strong enough. Their bond thrummed inside of her so thickly that she was almost certain it was a physical thing. Would it show up on a health scan? That would lead to some questions, but she’d deal with it when it came up.
She left Doryan sleeping in their bedroom. Her bedroom? The bedroom. That was another conversation to have. Had he moved in? Right now he was living off of the small bag of belongings he’d brought from the settlement, but she assumed he had more at the NaZade house. Did she want him to return there? Or to stay?
It would be crazy to move in together less than two weeks after meeting, right?
And yet, she didn’t want him to leave.
Amy sank on the couch and cradled her head in her hands, glad for the moment that Doryan was asleep. He’d been so stressed for the last couple of days that he’d spent them pacing or tossing and turning when she couldn’t distract him. Or maybe he was usually full of nervous energy.
She didn’t know him.
The bond felt so real. Every second spent together erased any doubts that managed to crop up. But in these moments where she was alone, Amy began to question. Was the bond messing with her mind? Making her feel things that weren’t real?
No.
What she felt was real, even if the bond had triggered it. She wanted Doryan in her life, and she didn’t care if fate or magic or space dust had caused it.
But maybe they needed to get to know one another a little better.
Yeah, that wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
A date. That’s what they needed.
She was going to ask her mate on a date.
Okay, she had definitely reverted to her nineteen year old self. Except with a bit more confidence and sexual knowledge.
Before she could stand up, she heard the lock of her door disengaging. She’d checked her comm after she got out of the shower and no one was supposed to be coming, but there were only a handful of people keyed to her security system so she wasn’t too worried.
And when Kyla walked in, Amy greeted her with a smile.
Her partner did not return it.
“I’m glad to see you’re alive.” Kyla glared. “I didn’t realize you were going to disappear off the face of the Earth.”
“I sent you messages, I’ve kept you apprised.” Though perhaps not as well as she should have. She still hadn’t explained Raze’s proposal. That was something to be done in person.
Kyla crossed her arms and flopped down onto one of Amy’s chairs. It should have looked ridiculous, but Kyla did anger very well. The woman knew how to glare.
“That sheriff was about ten minutes away from arresting me, and I don’t know what the hell he would have done if they hadn’t caught the Marino woman. You ditched me for a fucking guy, Amy. Twenty years of friendship is apparently worth nothing compared to some alien dick? Really?”
Answering anger burbled in Amy. No one, not even Kyla, got to talk about Doryan like that. “You didn’t get arrested because I basically wrapped that case up in a bow. I don’t know why you’re complaining.”
“Because we went there for a reason! Or did you forget how our business is on the verge of failure? There are still bills to pay, Amy, and you’ve been holed up here when I really need you.”
That deflated the burbling anger. Fuck. Amy had been so caught up in clearing Doryan’s name that she’d forgotten why she and Kyla wanted that Detyen Legion contract. How could she?
Damn it.
“I got us a job,” she rushed to say. “Probably. Still working out the kinks. But it’s with the Legion and if it works out, it will be long term.”
And Kyla’s glare dissolved like it had ne
ver been there in the first place. “Really?” she asked. “What is it? What does it pay? Is there some kind of automatic billing situation going on?”
Amy had to suppress a laugh. Kyla was right about keeping their eyes on their goals. “Not sure on the pay. But it’s surveillance. Hopefully I’ll have more for you in a day or so.” It had already been two days since she and Doryan had talked to Raze and Dryce. They had to get back to them soon.
Right?
“I’m going to need more than that,” said Kyla.
“I know.” Amy leaned back on the couch. A hint of Doryan’s scent teased her and she couldn’t help the small smile. She didn’t want him gone from her apartment. She wanted him to stay. “And I promise I’ll get you more. As soon as I have it.”
Kyla stood. “Now I feel like I overreacted to this whole thing.” She didn’t look repentant, but there was a hesitance that hadn’t been there before.
Amy wouldn’t stand for that. “I’d be just as fierce if you had fallen for a guy after two days.”
“Two days is generous.” Kyla nudged her shoulder. “Fallen for? Really?”
Amy just grinned. What was the use in denying it? “I’ll be back at work on Monday,” she promised. She had to get back to her normal life sometime.
“If you’re not in a sex coma by then,” Kyla shot back.
A rejoinder was on the tip of Amy’s tongue, but she held it back. “Did anything else come up in the investigation at the settlement? Any other problems?”
“Apparently the sheriff wasn’t fond of that groundskeeper guy. Or the other way around, not sure. He made himself scarce. I wouldn’t know that he existed if not for your report.” She shrugged. “But everything else seemed fine. Why?”
“Just wanted to make sure. I’ll see you Monday.”
Kyla left and Amy locked the door behind her. When she turned back around, Doryan was standing in the doorway to the bedroom, leaning one hip to the side and grinning at her.
“What?” she asked, unable to do anything but return his smile.
He stalked across the room and she waited for him, sighing against him when he placed his hands on her cheeks and kissed her soundly. Several seconds later he pulled away.