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RICKA SLOWLY AWOKE to see the sunlight peeking through the doorway of the cargo hold. She shifted on her side against the warm male body lying next to her.
“Good morning,” Synge said, gently lifting her chin.
She gazed at his handsome face and felt a rush of desire. “Morning.”
“As much as I would like to spend the rest of the day here with you, I am afraid it is time for us to go.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and scooted to the edge of the bed. She’d enjoyed waking up in his arms and immediately missed the comfort of his warmth. He bent over to pull on his pants and presented her with a nice view of his ass, and she grinned. The man was definitely a work of art.
And the sex—it went way beyond spectacular. Yet, underneath the tough male exterior, she’d glimpsed a man capable of caring. Capable of caring for her, and it called to the vulnerable part of her soul she’d deliberately kept locked away. Dammit, he was getting to her, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d end up falling in love with him, if she wasn’t already.
Last night, he’d told her she belonged to him. It warmed her and confused her at the same time. At first, she’d been angry when he kidnapped her and couldn’t wait to get away from him. Now the thought of leaving him troubled her more than she wanted to admit.
The only reason he’d brought her to Tarron was out of obligation. He was doing his job and had vowed to protect her. Nothing more. He’d even informed someone from command his intention was to return her to the colony once the ordeal with Molock was over and Libby was rescued.
What kind of relationship could they have? She couldn’t stay here. Teah had made her disapproval very clear. He was a hunter and spent most of his time in space. Earth was too far away for him to visit on a regular basis. The logical choice was to get control of her emotions and enjoy what little time they had left.
Reluctantly, she got off the bed and retrieved her clothes. Once they’d dressed, he returned the bed to its hidden location and loaded the small sensor unit.
“Come with me. There is something I would like to show you before we return,” Synge said.
Warily, she took his hand and followed him into the dense jungle. “Are you sure it’s safe? There could be more of those big furry things out here.”
“Even so, we will be fine.” He chuckled and tightened his grip. “You belong to me now. I will never let anything happen to you.”
She resisted the impulse to remind him she wasn’t a possession. What harm would it do to let him believe what he wanted? Their time together was short, and she wanted to enjoy it as much as possible. “Okay. Lead on.”
They hadn’t gone very far before the thick foliage separated, and they walked into a large clearing. A wall of water at least ten feet high rolled over large boulders and splashed into a clear pool the color of dark amethyst. Mogran appeared to their left and bounded past them. He walked over to a nearby patch of yellow grass, plopped on the ground, and lazily rolled on his side.
“Wow, this is breathtaking.” She let go of his hand and moved to the edge of the water.
“It is an arreinian pool. It has special meaning to my people, and the water is said to contain special elixirs.”
She peered over her shoulder. “Really? So it’s used for healing?”
“Not exactly.” He placed his hand on her waist. “There is something I need to tell you.”
A beeping noise interrupted them. “What was that?”
He groaned and retrieved a small unit from the pocket of his pants. “It is a communicator and linked with the virtucom in the transport.” He pressed his thumb against the device, and static ripped through the air.
She heard bits and pieces of his aunt’s voice, but not enough to understand what she was saying.
“Teah, can you hear me?” There was no response, only more static. “Dammit.” Synge grimaced and shoved the object back in his pocket.
By his reaction, Ricka got the impression problems with transmissions weren’t a common occurrence. “Is there a problem?”
“The trees must be causing interference. We need to return home.” He took her hand and led her back the way they’d come.
“Didn’t you want to tell me something?” she asked.
“We will discuss it later. Teah knew we were returning this morning and wouldn’t call unless it was urgent.”
When they’d arrived back at the transport, the transmissions on the virtucom were completely dead. Synge might be acting calm but Ricka could tell he was troubled.
Within minutes, he had them loaded and was heading back to his house. He maneuvered the vehicle along the narrow road at a faster rate than the previous day. Too afraid she might distract him, she remained silent. At these speeds, one wrong move and they could crash. She braced one hand against the door and clung to the safety harness with the other, silently praying nothing had happened to his family.
All the worst possible scenarios raced through her mind. Had Synge been right? Had Molock tracked her to his home and now Teah and Arno were in danger? Or worse?
He didn’t drive the transport to the front of the dwelling as she’d expected. Instead, he jerked it to a stop behind a copse of trees keeping its view hidden. She forced air into her lungs and popped the clasp on the belt.
Synge was already hopping out of the vehicle and drawing his repeater. “Stay here with Mogran,” he gruffly demanded and disappeared from sight.
Like hell. If his aunt and uncle were in trouble, it was because of her. No way was she going to sit here and do nothing. She could really use a weapon and cursed the asshole Klorthon for taking her knife. “Come on, boy. Let’s go.” Easing the door open, she slipped out of the vehicle and made room for the cat to exit. The animal disappeared between the trees.
Great. There goes my backup. She moved between the trees to catch up with Synge. She spotted him farther ahead, using the dense foliage to cover his movements as he edged his way toward the front of the dwelling.
Seeing the man in action did funny things to her insides. She’d spent so much of her life trying to survive, it was gratifying to know he was willing to risk his life for her. Not that she had any intention of sitting back and letting him face the threat alone.
Moving through the underbrush, it didn’t take her long to catch up with him. He stopped and shot her a disapproving glare. “I thought I told you to stay put.”
“Sorry, not good with orders.”
“Something we will need to work on.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.”
He scowled. “Return to the transport.”
“No.” She took a determined stance. “I told you before, I refuse to let your family be hurt because of me.”
He groaned. “Fine. Stay behind me.”
She knew he was pissed and would probably pull out the cuffs again. At the moment, she didn’t care and would deal with it later. The bushes rustled to the left, and she caught a brief glimpse of Mogran’s head before he disappeared again.
They barely reached the conveyor when the front door flew open and Arno, followed by Teah, came rushing outside. They’re alive. Some of her tension eased.
“Thank the stars you are all right.” His aunt placed her hand over her heart. “When we couldn’t reach you, we feared the worst.”
Synge holstered his repeater. “The virtucom is down. What has happened?”
“Dathan called here when he couldn’t reach you. They found Erak’s ship. It was damaged and adrift.”
“And the crew?”
“All missing. I thought you would want to know right away.”
“I did. Thank you.”
Something was terribly wrong. Ricka didn’t like Synge’s strained expression. “What do you mean? Has something bad happened to Libby?” She trembled, believing the worst.
He pulled her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin and gently caressed her back. “Please do not worry. I will contact command and find out what is going on.”
“I am afraid it will be impossible. The virtucom in the house is no longer working either,” Teah said.
#
SYNGE TENSED, EVERY nerve in his body on alert. They’d never had these kinds of problems with their communication system before. Was it possible the Klorthons had managed to track them this quickly? “Have you noticed any problems with the perimeter monitors?” He directed the question to Arno.
“No. I reviewed them this morning, and nothing appeared amiss.” Arno arched an inquisitive eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”
“Mogran killed a bimmaton inside the property last night. There has to be a breach somewhere. I had planned to investigate before returning.”
“You’re afraid the Klorthons are here, aren’t you?” Ricka asked.
He hated to see her apprehension and gently cupped her cheek. “I am sure it is nothing. Why don’t you go upstairs and shower? Arno and I will check the equipment.”
Teah placed a hand on Ricka’s arm. “Come. After you change, I will make us all something to eat.”
“Okay,” she said, casting him a quick glance before letting his aunt guide her toward the house.
“We need to recheck the sensors,” Synge said.
It didn’t take them long to reach the room adjacent to the kitchen. He’d designed the interior layout to accommodate their communication equipment and a wide collection of weapons. Twenty minutes after running the diagnostics, Synge stepped away from the monitor and rubbed the back of his neck, confused. “I do not understand. Everything appears as you said.”
“Is it possible the heavy storms we had last week shorted out a section of the fencing?” Arno asked.
“I do not think so. Any disruptions in the field would have trigged an alert on the main system. It also does not explain why the virtucom is not working.” Was something blocking the signals? “I need to do a perimeter check and see if I can locate the problem.”
Arno studied the wall containing the security case filled with weapons. “Should we be concerned?”
“I am not sure. It would not hurt to keep a repeater handy. You still remember how to shoot, yes?”
Arno laughed. “I may have dedicated my life to teaching, but I think I can still hit a moving target.”
“Good. Let us hope you will not need to.”
They walked back into the kitchen and found Teah slicing fruit and preparing a meal. She set the knife aside. “Is there a problem with the system?”
“Not according to the tests. I will inspect the grids near the south end of the property as soon as I check on Ricka.”
“Did it work?” Teah asked and leaned against the counter. “Were you able to reverse the invocation and break your tie with the human?”
Synge had hoped to avoid this conversation, at least for a little longer. Whether she realized it or not, Ricka had already completed the first part of the ritual. His original plan was to enjoy one more night with her before he had to let her go. He hadn’t intended to bind her to him. Everything changed the moment he took her in his arms.
“What is she talking about? What tie?” Ricka stood in the doorway at the opposite end of the room, arms crossed, her anger obvious. She wore one of Teah’s dresses. Even though she was slightly smaller than his aunt, the blue fabric draped across her body in an appealing manner. She was exquisite, and he couldn’t keep from staring at her or prevent the surge of desire pulsing through his system. If they were alone, he’d tell her how truly beautiful he thought she was, how she made him feel things he never thought possible. Afterward, he’d carry her upstairs and show her as he ran his hands over every inch of her gorgeous body.
“You did not tell her, did you?” Teah’s expression held unspoken accusations.
“Tell me what?”
Synge frowned at his aunt and approached Ricka. “This is not the time. We will discuss it later.”
“No. We will discuss it now.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Fine. Come with me.” He took her hand and dragged her from the room, not stopping until they reached his bedroom on the upper level.
#
SYNGE CLOSED THE DOOR behind him and turned to meet Ricka’s furious glare. As upset as he was at his aunt’s interference, she wasn’t to blame. He’d made a mess of things by not being honest with Ricka about the ritual and his feelings for her. She might not be willing to admit it, but they belonged together, and he wasn’t going to give her up. Not without a fight.
He could have taken her to the pool the night before and easily broken the invocation. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to complete the ritual, not revoke it. It was why, during the heat of passion, he’d coaxed her into completing the first part of the process. He refused to return her to the colony and had made the decision to claim her.
If he hadn’t been interrupted earlier this morning, he was certain he could have persuaded Ricka to enter the pool and complete the final part of the rite. Instead, everything had gone wrong. Now she was angry, which made any of his attempts to reason with her more difficult.
“Well?” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
He took a step closer, hoping to calm her, but stopped when she backed away. “You are already aware of the rite and its use. What you do not know, and I was unaware of until recently, is the challenge holds a much deeper purpose.”
“What kind of purpose? And why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like it?”
There was no easy way to tell her what he’d done, so he went with sharing the truth. “The invocation is directly tied to our joining.”
“What do you mean by joining?” she asked, her tone suspicious.
“When a Tarron male bonds with a female, it is a lifelong bond.”
“You mean like marriage?”
“I believe it is the correct terminology used by humans.”
“Whoa. Are you saying since you and I...” Ricka pointed her finger back and forth between them. “Since we shared sex, we’re now somehow bound together?”
“Sex alone does not complete the ritual. Speaking the words of belonging begins the process.”
She glared at him. “Wait a minute. Are you saying because I agreed to belong to you, we’re now somehow joined? You’re my husband?”
“Partially, yes.”
Her skin paled, and she appeared unsteady on her feet. Synge wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from falling.
She shoved against his chest. “You lied to me and tricked me into agreeing to marry you.”
He tightened his grip, pinning her to his chest. “Please calm yourself. It was not my intent to deceive you. You spoke the words freely. I did not force you.”
Her chest heaved. “Yeah, but you neglected to tell me what would happen if I did.” She stopped fighting him. “Why did you make me bond with you?”
He sighed and loosened his grip. “I wanted to ensure you never left my side. Now the colony has no jurisdiction.”
#
THE REALIZATION OF what he’d said slammed hard against Ricka’s chest. “I’m a colony citizen and they requested my return, didn’t they?” Anger and hurt burst through her like a lit flame. Synge hadn’t said he loved her or might actually have feelings for her. No, he’d admitted the only reason he’d joined with her was to keep her away from Rivean—to ensure Molock came after her here so he could finish what they’d started.
“Yes.”
“Let me go.” She pushed against him again. This time, he didn’t try to stop her when she moved away from him. “I don’t care if we are joined. You can’t make me stay. I had plans. I was going back to Earth.” She hugged her middle and blinked back tears, refusing to let him see her cry.
She caught a glimpse of hurt before he tightened his jaw and frowned. “We will talk about this later when you are no longer angry.”
He’d be waiting a long time if he thought she was going to calm down anytime soon.
“I have to leave to check the perimeter shielding. Can I trust you will be here when I return?”
She glared at him but didn’t answer.
He opened the door, allowing Mogran to enter the room. “I thought not.” The door slammed behind him, and she heard the familiar click.
Checking the handle would be a waste of time. He’d locked her in again. She’d been so upset earlier, she hadn’t noticed he’d taken her to a different bedroom. Glancing around, she noted the darker colors and more masculine decor. This has to be his room.
She didn’t bother to check outside the window. Synge would have ensured there was no tree or any other way for her to escape. The futility of the situation hit home. She was trapped.
She pressed her back against the door and slid to the floor. Drawing her knees against her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs. The cat must have sensed her anguish, because he sprawled on the floor next to her, nuzzling her with his head. No longer able to fight back the tears, Ricka sank her fingers into the cat’s fur and wept.
Dammit, her heart felt as if it had been ripped in two. This was why she had her rule—never become emotionally involved in a relationship. Better yet, don’t get involved at all. She’d made herself vulnerable, and now she was paying for it.
The pain was far worse than when, at nineteen, she’d had to watch Darren, her first real love, return to Earth. His tour on Rivean had ended, and he didn’t care enough to want her to go with him. Even losing her father seemed like a dull ache in comparison.
She remained on the floor until the muscles in her rear protested and she’d cried herself dry. Mogran followed her to the bed and curled up next to her, his loud rumbles lulling her to sleep.
When Ricka woke to find herself still locked in the bedroom, she sighed, wondering if Synge had returned. Pushing herself up, she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, still unsure what she was going to do. She knew one thing for certain—she was in love with Synge. After their night together, she thought he might care for her too. Obviously, she’d been wrong and it was tearing her apart.
They might be married by Tarron law, but she had no intention of spending her life in a loveless relationship. Once Libby was rescued, she’d find a way to contact the colony and petition for them to be returned.
She heard a knock, and the door opened. “I thought you might be hungry.” Teah entered the room and set a covered tray on the dresser.
Whatever she brought smelled delicious, and Ricka’s stomach rumbled. “I’m starving. Thank you.”
Teah started to leave, then hesitated. “Please do not think badly of my nephew. He is acting irrationally out of concern.”
He was definitely not behaving in a rational manner, though she was having a hard time believing he cared. “I don’t know how things are done here, but when humans care about one another, they don’t lock them up and keep them prisoner.”
Teah approached the bed. “May I sit?”
“Sure.” Ricka scooted to the side, making more room.
The older woman took a seat and placed her hands in her lap. “I see the way he looks at you. He cares a great deal. You are the first woman he has ever shown any interest in enough to bring to our home.”
She tried to absorb the information, but couldn’t help the sarcasm. “Right.”
“Our males have a hard time expressing their emotions. Synge is worse than most. Losing his parents at a young age hardened his heart. I don’t think he knows how to openly express his feelings for you,” Teah said.
“Why are you telling me this? You don’t even like me.”
“I do not dislike you. I had hoped he would find a Tarron female to settle down with. Forgive an old woman for being set in her ways. I want his happiness above all else. And I see it whenever he is near you.” Teah stood and walked to the door. “I believe you have feelings for him as well. All I ask is you consider giving him a chance.”
