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When Madyx carried Izzy’s limp body from behind a crate, fire shot through Oyaz. He burned with fury, yanking on his chains to reach her. Part of his anger he directed at her for following, for endangering herself. The other part was furious that fear—the cold, seductive, dark slither—fixed his gaze on Madyx. Once he had known this male, now his actions were unpredictable.
“She is persistent.” Madyx draped her on the ground, close but too far for Oyaz to offer comfort. With his arms shackled to the pole behind him, he couldn’t hold her anyway. Still, the whisper of her breath against his skin would be sweet to his ears.
“She is loyal to you, Oyaz.” Madyx circled her. “I shall let her live for now.” He strode off, disappearing inside his shelter.
Two hours passed, and her skin had taken on a paleness Oyaz didn’t like.
“Izzy.” He stretched out his leg until he could nudge her with the tip of his boot. “Silly female. I left you in the housing unit to be safe.” He grunted.
She moaned.
With another nudge, she rolled over and faced him. Her eyelids fluttered open. She stilled, blinking at Oyaz as if dazed. Gasping, she scrambled to her feet and threw her arms around him. Peace engulfed his soul, dragging a sigh from him.
He nuzzled her hair and kissed her forehead. As soon as his lips touched her skin, the urge to taste her bombarded him. It was so potent, he shifted to her lips before he could stop himself.
“Oyaz?” she whispered when he was an inch from his mouth touching hers—the loss of opportunity hovered between them. She peered into his eyes before scanning the cavern around them.
“You are wounded,” he grumbled, hating scenting her blood when he was unable to heal her.
“Still can’t understand you”, she sang. “We have to escape, Oyaz. Got any plans?” She giggled, then pinched her lips. “Try telepathy, aliens are supposed to have that power. Telekinesis would be better, though.” She assessed him. “How do you feel? How’s your arm?”
Her gaze was like a caress, making him harden with need.
He scowled. “I am well,” he ground out. “It is your injury I worry about.” He nudged his chin at her shoulder.
“Did the evil-biker stun me?” Her fingers fluttered to his chest, and words escaped him at her touch—so trusting, so soft. Maker help me.
“Which time? When we headed toward the forest or now?” He sniffed. The scent of her blood sparked a primitive reaction in him to kill, to protect. He jerked on the shackles. “I cannot heal you, Izzy.”
Twisting around him, she pressed her body to his chest as she bent over his shoulder. Her touch along his fingers revealed what she was doing. He froze, his face inches from her backside.
“Flaming nipples, Oyaz, those look...bad. We’re doomed, aren’t we, Oyaz?” She leaned back and closed her eyes as pain twisted her brow. Curling onto his lap, she burrowed into him.
Madyx leaving his shelter raised her head off Oyaz’s chest.
“Is he with them?” She clung to Oyaz, as if he could shield her. At his nod, her eyes widened, and the gray in their depths darkened. “An evil Etterian?”
He shook his head, stifling a laugh. “He is not evil.”
“Laugh all you want, my Etterian. I choose to think the sharkmen are evil, and if the yellow squidheads and your Etterian friend are with the sharks, then ipso facto, they’re evil too.” She harumphed. “By association.”
“Yithians are not evil. Greedy, short-sighted, desperate, perhaps. I am learning they are cunning, as well.”
Her brow dipped while she stared at him. “That’s a long sentence to agree with me, Oyaz. Evil.” When she raised her stubborn chin, she was adorable. “No one will find us now,” she whispered, and her shoulders slumped. “First chance you get, Oyaz, you escape. Don’t worry about me. You get free, and bring the reinforcements.”
He growled. “I will not leave you.”
“It’s my fault you’re here. My fault you were injured.” She glared at him. “You are so stubborn.”
“As touching as this is, it is all my fault.” Madyx chuckled. “So, you can save your theatrics.”
She squeaked. “You can speak English?” Her body stiffened, and a tremor swept through her. She faced Madyx, turning away from Oyaz. Something in his battle-bond’s words had angered her.
“She is entertaining, Oyaz.” Madyx pinched his chin. “I see why she is your pet.”
She huffed. “So rude. I’m kind of done with you people switching between English and Etterian. How do you know each other, Oyaz?”
Madyx’s laughter lacked humor. “Know each other?” he said in English. “Why, yes, pet, we do know each other. Oyaz betrayed then abandoned me.”
“Liar.” She waved a fist at Madyx. “How dare you accuse noble Oyaz of such a thing.”
A silly smile split Oyaz’s lips. Her defense of him for whatever reason was breathtaking. He nuzzled the crown of her head, and when she tilted her head to meet his gaze, he brushed his lips across hers.
She gasped.
Madyx’s eyes widened before they narrowed before he said in Etterian, “She defends you... How sweet.”
Oyaz grinned. She is sweet and so precious.
“Listen, talking in another language is rude. R.U.D.E.” She folded her arms across her chest, crinkling her shirt and blessing Oyaz with a glimpse of her cleavage. “Since you’re being a dick, why don’t you just get on with it? Or is it your intention to be irritating and an asshat?”
Madyx froze, his shoulders stiffened, and his cheeks darkened. He opened and closed his mouth, then growled, “Call me names again, and I will harm your Oyaz.”
“Hah. There you’re wrong, asshat. He’s not mine...” Izzy mumbled, then offering Madyx her back, she dismissed him to cling to Oyaz’s tunic.
~ * ~
A yellow squidhead grabbed her hand and shackled her wrist above Oyaz’s. She didn’t bother tugging on it when even super-strong Oyaz couldn’t break free. Part of her wanted to stare. So close, the markings on the man’s face were beautiful, his thick hair like an octopus’s tentacles. No way would past-self believe she’d find herself in this situation.
While wearing his signature smirk, Asshat spoke in lyrical language.
She abhorred it when he spoke so she wouldn’t understand. Her anger fired her blood, and she dug her nails into her palm to resist punching him...if she could reach him. But she couldn’t look past the blood smeared around Oyaz’s wrists.
“Heal him, dammit.” She raised her chin to glare at Asshat. “Why let him bleed? Have you no honor?”
Asshat jerked back as if she’d slapped him. He grabbed her, yanked her to her feet, and dragged her across to him, snapping the shackle tight. Fire shot outward from her wrist. She gritted her teeth, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt her. He wrapped his long fingers over her shoulder to embed in her wound. She cried out, the pain excruciating and making her squirm to free herself. Her vision tilted as agony barreled through her. She swallowed her whimpers and froze, praying he’d grow bored and stop.
“What about you has earned Oyaz’s loyalty?” Asshat mused, his breath feathering across her ear. Without warning, he released her, spun her to face him, and ripped her shirt open.
Oyaz roared, pulling on his shackles, his face mottled. He bellowed in Etterian.
Asshat laughed. He had partially broken the front clasp of her bra, but it held firm, keeping her breasts covered. She shivered, the cool air in the cave sweeping goosebumps along her skin. If she rushed to cover herself, Asshat might take it as encouragement. She tapped a foot, hoping to appear unfazed.
He trawled a finger from her jaw, down her neck, into the dip of her collarbone to a heaving breast. Everything within her wanted to jerk away from his touch. Instead, she smothered a gag and held herself still. With deliberate slowness, he stroked her, his focus on Oyaz when he spoke.
She frowned, not liking his gentler tone, whatever he’d said to Oyaz. There was admiration and longing in his voice.
When he stepped closer, she stiffened. Pressing his nose to her neck wasn’t what she expected. Was he sniffing her? The urge to knee him in the groin or bite him took all her strength to tamp down. Any rebellion on her part, Oyaz would pay for. She had no doubts Asshat would follow through on his threats.
Madyx crooned, his voice liquid silk. But he ruined the sinful visage with a wicked grin, unconcerned with the fury and hatred pouring from Oyaz’s swirling eyes.
“Are you done?” She stood tall but was desperate to cover herself.
“For now.” Asshat grunted without looking at her.
She straddled Oyaz’s lap and looped her arm around his neck. He calmed enough to rest his cheek on her forehead.
“I am sorry, Izzy,” he mumbled.
That sounded like an apology, though what he had to be sorry for, she didn’t know. Sorry he didn’t remember her? Sorry he had blessed her with the best orgasms of her life? Sorry he couldn’t save them? And calling her Izzy instead of Izabelle proved he wasn’t her Eth anymore.
“How you react gives him leverage, Oyaz. Let him strip me naked, it doesn’t matter. If he beats me, don’t fight it. Don’t give him the satisfaction. Don’t let him win.”
He shook his head and gritted out words that dripped with fury.
She huffed. “I assume you’re not listening to me.” Pinning her body to his, she cupped his cheek, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Simmy’s not my problem anymore. Caro has Malo. If I can save you, Oyaz, then I’ll die happy.”
“Izzy—”
She held a finger to his lips. “I don’t want to talk anymore.” And she didn’t. If he could speak English, she suspected he’d tell her she was special, that her life had meaning, but they were lies. If she fell off the face of Earth, no one would feel the loss. Had Oyaz remained her Eth, she would’ve fought to live. He would’ve been something worth fighting for. He was someone worth dying for.
As he leaned against the pole, his hands pinned behind him, she snuggled against his chest, needing his warmth. Now that she’d made it inside the cave, been caught, faced an evil Etterian, adrenaline no longer flowed through her veins. The chilliness seeped into her skin, making her shiver. She sighed, wishing Oyaz could hug her, but she was content to breathe in his cologne and fall asleep to the steady beat of his heart.
~ * ~
“Izzy...”
Izzy twitched awake, groaning when her stiff shoulder throbbed. The blood had caked the shirt to it, and touching the fabric pulled on the wound. The pain caps had worn off, and her body broadcasted every bump, scrape, and graze. Rubbing her face, she gazed at Oyaz. He pointed with his chin to behind her.
“Izzy Reeves.”
At the harsh whisper, Izzy scanned the crates, yanking on the cuff pinning her in place. She yelped as the metal sliced into her wrist.
Miri cowered behind a crate, popping her head above the tops before sinking again. Ice coated Izzy’s scalp. Panicking, she pinned a finger to her lips to silence her.
Oyaz’s flicked a gaze at the tent and said something before glancing at Miri and the cave entrance.
Izzy slumped, wishing she understood him. “Miri, go, please. Asshat will see you.”
Not one to listen to reason, Miri crouch-walked over to Izzy. “What? When I went to all this effort? You left such a message, Izzy, what did you expect me to do?” She gestured to her ranger uniform. “I abandoned my clients in a ravine.”
“Do as I asked you to. Contact Director Reyes, get him to comm Vorn or Garix. We need reinforcements.” Izzy massaged her temple, having forgotten how stubborn Miri could be. “No one has seen you yet. Leave. Hurry.”
Miri hesitated, whipping her gaze around the cavern. “But—”
“Oyaz and I will wait. We’re having a marvelous time, right, sweetheart?” She winked at him. “Best date ever.”
Miri snorted. “Nice try, Izzy. Did you forget who you’re talking to? Oh, ye of little faith. I reached Director Reyes, he commed your Garix, and reinforcements are on their way.” A wicked smile curled Miri’s lips. “But I know the forest.” Her gaze dipped to Izzy’s gaping shirt and scowled. “Asshat?”
“Yeah,” Izzy muttered. “Go before he captures you too.”
“At the cave entrance, I left an open-ended call on my mobile. Garix’s tracing it. Just stay calm. Help’s coming.” Scurrying to her hideout, Miri emerged carrying the gun Izzy had left there. “Which one?” she showed Oyaz.
He arched a brow.
Izzy sliced her attention between the cave entrance in the distance. It was solid black, with night having set in. Behind her sat the partially lit cavern, aliens loitered around a meal-prep station. Something savory twitched her nose and her stomach gurgled. Oyaz pressed a kiss to her temple. She snuggled against him, using his warmth to barely hold back the chill.
Garix was on the way. That thought circled her mind and did much to ease the tension knotting her back muscles. “He doesn’t understand us, Miri. You have to act out your question.”
Miri gagged, twitched, then fell to the floor, playing dead.
Oyaz chuckled.
Izzy’s breath caught, and a flutter consumed her chest. She loved his smile, the way it warmed his eyes and tilted the corners. His dimples were sexy as hell.
Miri pointed to each button until she reached the red one.
He nudged his jaw.
“Okay, see you in a bit.” She took off, slinking into the shadows, sneaking deeper into the cave. Cries of alarm filtered to where Izzy clung to Oyaz, having climbed him to see better. Bodies littered the clearing. Gunfire flashed like exploding fireworks. Shit. When had Miri learned to do that?
“Stubborn, insane, crazy, stupid.” Despite the warmth creeping up her throat from having shoved her breasts in Oyaz’s face, she scrambled around and over him, trying to peer into the dark.
Darkness reigned, and a few men had spread out, no doubt searching for Miri. The silence was deafening, and every time a gun was fired, Izzy jerked, half expecting Miri to scream as she died.
“I’m going to kill her.” She paused, then gaped. “Oh, no, Oyaz, I killed her by calling her here. Her death is my fault.” She bit her lip as self-directed anger gripped her, heating her chilled body. She had endangered yet another person she cared for. Stilling, she raised her gaze to Oyaz. When had she started to care for him?
He shook his head, though what that was supposed to mean, she couldn’t say.
Dropping into his lap, she straddled his thighs, ignoring his moan. Her weight was negligible, so he shouldn’t complain. “I’ll get off you in a minute,” she whispered, rising on her knees to level her gaze with his. “Oyaz, if we get out of this...I want you to know I...care for you. I want you to be happy.” Her cheeks trembled, and she winced. “To find your Dar Eth.”
Asshat gestured to her and grinned as he strode into the clearing.
She slipped off Oyaz to glare at Asshat, hating his smirk. Miri had yet to return after the cries of surprise or agony had ended. Izzy tried not to glance behind them, to draw attention to her childhood friend and whatever she was up to.
Rasping, Asshat asked something as he captured one of Izzy’s curls, released it then ran a finger along her cheek.
Oyaz roared, rising to his knees and shoving Izzy aside. If it wasn’t for her shackled hand, she would have fallen onto her ass. As it was, her knees took the brunt of it.
“Speak English, dammit. What are you saying?” She splayed her fingers across Oyaz’s chest, hoping to calm him.
“I will take a taste of you.” Asshat unstrapped his blaster, hit the blue button, then fired at her cuff. It unclipped and fell onto the rock. He gripped her upper arm and jerked her to her feet. Oyaz thundered what sounded like curses, yanking on his shackles with enough force to tremble the thick metal pole.
But Asshat had stopped, tilted his head to listen then stared into the direction Miri had disappeared. His grip loosened. Oh, no. He’d see the bodies and know something was up.
Izzy tugged free, dusted her ass, and clasped her shirt closed. Distraction, that’s what she needed. “Sure. What sort of taste were you thinking? Toe jam? My ass crack? My blood?”
His focus snapped to her, and his lips thinned. “I will cut your tongue from your mouth, female.” He dragged her to the largest tent.
“Remember my words. Be happy, Oyaz.” Casting a last glance at Oyaz and the pain twisting his face, she dipped her head to hide her tears. Maybe if she went willingly? It would buy Garix and Miri some time. She drew in a slow breath and shrugged off Asshat’s hand. “I can walk.” Squaring her shoulders and ignoring the fire of her wound, she strolled into the tent.
Soft unfamiliar furs were spread in one corner. A table and chair sat to the rear. A few trunks in the same metal as Oyaz’s pole lined one side. Smaller boxes gaped, holding glowing stones sharing their intimate and inviting light.
“Undress,” Asshat barked, then chuckled at Oyaz’s roars and pleading.
“You’re an evil bastard,” she spat.
Asshat clenched his jaw. “I will let that insult slide since I have you here. I will, however, not ask again.”
Huffing, she toed off her sneakers and socks. She shimmied out of her jeans. Peeling off the blouse drew a hiss as it tore off dried blood. Her wound oozed fresh crimson droplets. Shivering in her bikini briefs and broken bra, she met his gaze. “All of it?”
He waited, his gaze unblinking.
She unclipped her bra and looped it off her, tossing it on her discarded jeans. Hooking her fingers in her panties, she slipped it off, and with her toes, swept it closer to the clothing pile.
“You are not a pet, are you?” he whispered, his gaze on her body.
Desire heated his dark blue eyes, making her skin crawl. She struggled to swallow past the lump in her throat. Goosebumps rippled across her skin, sparked fresh shivers along her limbs, and worst, pebbled her nipples.
His breath hitched.
Her fingers twitched with the urge to cover herself, but she dug her nails into her thighs, fighting for calm.
“Your males are finding Dar Eths among us.” She hoped by telling him this, he might think twice about...doing something to her.
“You lie,” he growled, but she held his gaze, uncaring whether he believed her or not. He caught one of her curls and toyed with it. “Oyaz is your Eth?”
Her heart cracked, and despite the sting of tears, she shook her head. “He was, but you changed that. He has no memory of the Ethera.”
Asshat stumbled back and slumped into the chair. “I have a Dar Eth?” A slow smile spread, changing him from a glowering enemy to a handsome man.
“I hope she’s the sweetest, kindest, most loyal woman on this planet. You need every drop of goodness you can get.”
His glazed eyes said he hadn’t heard her. “How many Earthian females are there?”
“Billions.” Another shiver tore through her, reminding her she was naked. “May I dress?”
“You may lay on the furs.” He rose to his feet, stalking across to her.
She glanced at the ‘bed’ and grimaced. Wanting her there meant one thing. “You will force me?” Furious with how weak she sounded, she dug her nails into her thighs again.
He gestured to the bed while placing his gun on the table. She crept to the furs and stood in the center of them, unwilling to kneel or sprawl. He lunged, scooped her off her feet, and lowered her but with unexpected gentleness. The softness and warmth at her back drew a sigh.
When he stretched alongside her, she froze, resisting the urge to pull away from him. He brushed his lips along her throat to cup a breast, his touch hot. She whimpered, wanting to curl into the heat pouring off him. His masculine scent itched her nose, and she sneezed, bouncing her bruised temple off his chin. She moaned while wiggling away from him, trying to create distance between them.
He wasn’t Oyaz with his addictive cologne. Nor did Asshat have that intensity in his eyes that Oyaz did when he looked at her. In Oyaz’s arms, she was alive, sensitive, aroused, and when he kissed her... Heat flooded her core at the thought of Oyaz kissing her. Just the sweeping of his lips across hers was enough to draw a reaction from her.
Asshat’s nostrils flared. He growled, and the pressure of his hand intensified.
Oyaz roared in his beautiful language, begging, then yelling again.
Izzy layered Asshat’s hand with hers. “Please... Don’t do this. Don’t let revenge consume your soul.”
He paused to stare into her eyes, his fingers caressing her cheek before diving into her hair. “Revenge? I desire you, minus cesu.”
She glared. Angry heat rushed through her. How dare he? A pair of partially concealed breasts was enough of an enticement? And he had the nerve to call her by an endearment. Rolling onto her side to face him, she waited until he aligned his body with hers, ran his hand down her back to cup her ass. Then leaning in as if to kiss him, she raised her knee with all the strength she could muster. At his gut-wrenching groan, she shoved him off her, scrambled to her feet, and lunged for his gun. She couldn’t take the time to dress, not knowing how long an aching groin would hold him. Hefting the damn gun, she slapped the yellow button and fired.
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