“This is just sex.” The lie tasted foul in Nazerel’s mouth, but he knew Morgan wasn’t ready for any other answer. Their attraction was unexpected and inconvenient, yet trying to resist the forces drawing them together was pointless. He’d had sex often enough to know that this was something different, something deeper than just a physical joining.
She slowly let go of his arms and lowered her hands to her sides. “What does morautu mean?”
Taking advantage of her distraction, he unfastened the back of her dress. “What do you think it means?”
“Zilor said Garin’s mother was a morautu, a chosen mate. But you make it sound more like honey or sweetheart.”
“And that upsets you?” The word was an endearment, but nothing so generic as sweetheart. The meaning was specific and intensely intimate. When she was ready to hear the explanation he’d tell her exactly what it meant, but not until she was ready.
A millisecond before the dress slipped away from her body, she pressed the front against her breasts. “I didn’t say it upset me. It just seems odd to be called sweetheart by my enemy.”
He caught her wrists and pulled her hands away from her chest. The dress slid to her hips, exposing her breasts. His breath caught in his throat and his already hard cock jerked in appreciation of the sight. “We’re not enemies tonight.” He looked into her eyes then at her breasts, not willing to pretend he didn’t find her amazing. “We’re two consenting adults who need a few hours away from reality.”
She wiggled and the dress pooled around her ankles, baring the rest of her body. Surprise spiraled through his system, lust half a step behind. She wasn’t wearing undergarments of any kind.
“Apparently pleasure givers aren’t big on underwear.” Her cheeks flamed, the flush spreading onto her upper chest.
She’d sat there all evening, surrounded by Rodyte warriors, wearing nothing but that alluring dress. Nazerel could have slipped his hand up under her skirt and touched her naked flesh. None would have been the wiser. Until her scent filled the cabin and drove them all into a lustful rage. He would have been forced to fight off his cousins and claim her right there on the dining room table. A dark smile curved his lips. The scene appealed to the most savage part of his nature. It was fortunate for her that he hadn’t known until now.
“I’m certainly not complaining.” He wrapped one arm around her waist and cradled the back of her head with his other hand. “You were stunning in that dress, but you’re even more beautiful without it.” He lowered his head before she could reply.
Her lips parted for his and he pushed his tongue deep into her mouth, savoring the heat and softness. She caressed his arms and back as she sensually rubbed against him. He could smell her arousal, knew she was wet and ready for him. But, if she had her way, this would be their only night together. He intended to take his time and savor every moment she was naked and willing in his arms.
He urged her backward. The bunk’s edge connected with her knees and she automatically sat. Her hands trailed down his chest and came to rest on his hips. Her gaze traveled even lower. She licked her lips and desire clasped Nazerel’s body like a punishing fist. Ever since she touched him in the shower he’d been tormented by the image of her on her knees, naked and eager as he slid in and out of her mouth.
She reached for his pants, her fingers lightly brushing the bulge barely contained within. He hissed and caught her wrists. “I want you too badly for that, at least right now.” He moved her hands to each side and slightly behind her then knelt on the floor. He eased her legs apart, making room for him between her knees.
“What about me?” She tried to bring her legs back together, but he moved closer and pushed her legs even farther apart. “I want you just as badly.”
“Do you? That’s hard to believe.” Challenge rang through his words and he slid his hand up her leg. He teased her inner thigh, his touch creeping higher and higher.
She tensed, her muscles quivering beneath his fingertips. Her skin was silky and warm, then suddenly slick as her body proved her claim. She was so wet that moisture had spilled from her core and dampened her inner thighs.
His lids drooped as his fingers reached her folds. “So soft,” he whispered. “And so wet.” He caressed her, allowing his middle finger to sink between the petal-soft folds. She held perfectly still except for the rapid rise and fall of her chest. He avoided her clit, knew she was already close to orgasm. “How long have you been like this?”
Rather than answer with words, she took his face between her hands and kissed him. Her lips moved with wild passion, her tongue boldly seeking his. He wrapped his free hand around the back of her neck and pushed a second finger into her snug passage. When he filled her as well as his fingers could, he found her clit with his thumb and caressed her with a soft, circular motion.
She moaned into his mouth, her hips rocking against his hand. Her scent was making him dizzy, making him ravenous for her taste. He wanted to bury his face between her thighs and coat his tongue with her cream. He wanted to anchor a link inside her mind so they could share thoughts and feelings. The physical joining became so much more intense when both parties could experience all the pleasure. But he’d promised not to touch her mind, to keep this strictly physical.
Her mouth tore away from his and she cried out as release claimed her. She clutched his shoulders and arched her back, her inner muscles rippling around his fingers. He mirrored the rhythm of her body with his thumb, prolonging each spasm until she was panting and dazed.
“Lie back.”
She happily obliged and he paused to enjoy the view. Her colorful hair spread out around her like a sunset, accenting the beauty of her face. One arm curved above her head, the other rested across her abdomen, just below her breasts. Her waist dipped dramatically then flared into rounded hips. Long and sleekly muscled, her legs sprawled, allowing his hand to nestle between her thighs.
Unable to resist the temptation, he slid his fingers in and out, imagining the clingy heat surrounding his aching cock. Soon, but not quite yet. Once he joined their bodies, he knew he’d lose control. His only hope of prolonging these pleasures was to wait as long as possible to enter her.
His gaze returned to her breasts and lingered. The tips had tightened into deep pink knots, the vivid color a stark contrast to the full ivory mounds. He’d never seen a woman more perfectly suited to his fantasies. It was as if she’d materialized out of his mind and spread herself across his bed.
“Gods, Morgan.” He curved his fingers around one breast and stroked the nipple with his thumb. “You’re so beautiful.”
She shifted restlessly, the subtle undulation of her hips pulling her body nearly off his fingers. He’d been so distracted by her breasts that he’d almost forgotten his fingers were still inside her. Slowly he pulled his hand back and then thrust into her with enough force to jostle her breasts. She raised her other arm over her head, the submissive position thrilling him.
He watched her face as he filled her with his fingers. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted, her cheeks deeply flushed. He curved his fingers, dragging the front wall of her passage until he found the spot that made her gasp. She lifted into each stroke, increasing the impact and depth. But when the faint flutters of her orgasm started, he pulled his hand out from between her legs and brought his fingers to his mouth.
Her eyes opened and she whimpered as she watched him lick her cream from his skin. “I was almost there.” She sounded breathless and needy.
“I know.” He lifted one of her legs and draped it over his shoulder. “You already came once. I don’t want you to get sleepy on me.”
She laughed as he shifted her other leg over his shoulder as well. “I seriously doubt that will ever happen with you.”
Emboldened by the praise, he inhaled deeply, absorbing her scent as he lowered his mouth to her slit. She tensed, shivered, then relaxed, accepting the caress of his lips and tongue. Exotic, yet strangely familiar, her taste spiked his hunger. The more of her he had, the more he wanted. It was a delightful contradiction.
She cried out suddenly and pulsed against his lips, but he couldn’t make himself stop. She might not be ready to consider the possibility, but she was his. And he was hers.
He slid his hands up her sides and covered her breasts, needing to touch as much of her as possible. His lips moved against her folds and his tongue gently teased her clit. She shook beneath him, her head tossing back and forth, as he patiently aroused her again.
“Please.” She gasped. “I can’t take any more.”
He lifted his head and she whimpered. “You could, and I’d make sure you enjoyed it. But I’m not sure I can right now.” After pausing to squeeze her breasts one last time, he eased his hands down her sides and lowered her legs from his shoulders. She watched every move he made, eyes wide and shining. He stood and unfastened his pants, then pushed them to his knees. But when he started to position himself to take her, she sat up and grabbed his wrist.
“I want to see you, touch you before we…”
Her fingers closed around his shaft and Nazerel groaned. “Next time.” He moved her hand aside then angled himself toward her entrance. “I need this now.” He pushed inside her with one smooth stroke.
She arched, taking him deeper as her inner walls rippled around him. “Yes. Oh God, yes.”
He wrapped his arms around her as she wrapped her legs around him. Their mouths found each other and everything else faded away. She clung to him desperately as he crawled onto the bed and then carefully lowered her back to the bunk. Then he braced his weight on his knees and his forearms so he could move his hips.
She unhooked her ankles and pulled her legs up high on his sides. He slid in and out of her core, his strokes rhythmic and deep. He’d longed for this, dreamed of it, and still his imaginings were a pale shadow of reality. Her breasts cushioned his chest and her legs squeezed his sides as her core grasped his shaft with greedy hunger.
He thrust faster, needing more. Her body was perfect, but the joining was incomplete. He wanted to feel what she was feeling, know beyond doubt that he was pleasing her as completely as she pleased him. Tearing his mouth away from hers, he gazed deep into her eyes. Her pupils were huge, her lids drooping. She arched and twisted, eagerly taking his entire length.
It wasn’t enough, but he knew she would surrender nothing more.
He pulled out and flipped her over, pulling her hips up until she folded her legs beneath her.
“What’s wrong? Why did you—”
He thrust back in, stealing her breath. His hands clasped her hips as he pounded out a demanding rhythm. She lowered her shoulders and moved her knees farther apart, providing more resistance for each stroke. It felt amazing, physical perfection, so he didn’t want her to see the disappointment in his eyes.
She remained tense and resigned beneath him, willing yet distant. Unable to tolerate the compromise, he slowly adjusted the angle of his penetration until she gasped and shivered with each thrust.
He felt savage yet confined, frustrated while still running wild. The contrast drove him harder, made him more aggressive. He wrapped her hair around his hand and drew her head to the side. “Come for me. I want to feel you tighten around my cock.”
“I’m not sure…I can.” Before she could complete the sentence, her body obeyed his command.
Thrilled by her surrender. He pulled her up and pressed her tightly against his body. Her back contoured to his front, her head still sharply twisted to the side. He kissed her deeply, his hand still tangled in her hair. His other hand wandered over her body, pausing to pinch her nipples or tease her clit before moving on again.
Restless and breathless, she reached back and clasped his hips.
He banded her waist, keeping himself buried deep inside her. “I can’t come if I can’t sense you. It’s like you’re not really here.”
She froze, her hands still clutching his hips. “Then how did you come in the shower?”
“I was so shocked that you wanted to touch me that it was basically spontaneous. I won’t anchor the connection, but I need to feel all of you.”
Morgan dragged his arm away from her waist and crawled forward, separating their bodies in the process. He pulled her hair several times before he managed to disentangle his fingers. Then she turned around and sat, her legs drawn up to her chest. “I don’t want you in my mind.”
“Why are you so afraid of mental connections?” He continued to kneel and made no effort to cover his massive erection.
“I’m human. What goes on in my mind is private, personal.”
He chuckled and motioned toward her. “What we’ve done so far is more personal than what I’m asking of you now. Or were you only pretending to enjoy my touch, my kiss?”
A heated shiver ran down her body as he stressed the last word. “No one is that good at pretending.”
“Then there is no reason for your fear.” He held out his hand, the rings in his eyes glowing like sapphires. “Share yourself with me and I’ll share myself with you.”
“Just for tonight? You promise there will be no lasting link.”
His disappointment was obvious, but he whispered, “Just for tonight.” She placed her hand on his and his fingers closed around her wrist. “Come here.”
Before she could obey, he pulled her to him and separated her legs. He sat back on his heels as he wrapped her legs around his waist. She couldn’t reach the bed, could only relax and let him take her. His gaze drilled into hers as his broad tip pressed against the entrance to her body.
“Open for me.” He whispered the words against her mouth then his lips sealed over hers. Accept me into your mind and body. Then he slowly lowered her onto his cock as his energy pushed into her mind.
She shifted against him, taking his body deeper as she shied away from his mental touch. It felt strange, intrusive, yet undeniably intimate. It was like losing her virginity all over again. She’d been scanned before, had even heard thoughts Mystics pushed into her mind. This was completely different. Nazerel flowed around her and cascaded through her, igniting sensations where their bodies joined.
A moan escaped her throat as he pulled her up, nearly off his shaft, only to lower her again, filling her completely. The intensity of his desire burned away the last of her hesitation. He shared himself with her, an obvious invitation for her to do the same. But he took nothing from her. He waited for her, needing to share her emotions, yet unwilling to take anything without her permission.
Sensations erupted all over her body. Her nipples rubbed against his chest and his thickness caressed her clit. She started there, offering him the physical sensations they created rather than the resulting emotions.
His hands clutched her hips and he moved her faster, sliding her body up and down as their tongues swirled around each other. More. Show me more.
His thoughts were so close to begging that she couldn’t resist. She allowed her emotions to flow into his mind, sharing her loneliness and the bone-deep ache she felt each time he touched her.
He tore his mouth from hers and wrapped her firmly in his arms. “Never again,” he whispered. “You will never feel abandoned again.”
Abandoned? It wasn’t a word she would have used to describe her isolation, but it was unavoidably accurate. Because of her ambition, she’d shut out anyone willing to protect or nurture her. Her brutal self-reliance might have been the reason they all gave up and left her on her own, but that didn’t change the fact that they left. No one had loved her enough to combat her stubbornness. No one had been strong enough to make her see that she didn’t need to face life’s challenges all alone.
He carefully lowered her to the bed, keeping their pelvises locked together. His hands framed her face and he started to kiss her, but she turned away. “Tell me what it means, what it means for you and me.”
Drawing his hips back, he momentarily separated their bodies then thrust home again. “You’re not ready to hear it.” His disappointment rippled across their connection, but tenderness soothed the emotional sting.
She turned back to him, looking deep into his eyes as she enjoyed his demanding rhythm. She’d felt this connection, this pull almost from the moment they met. Then each kiss, each touch, had intensified the attraction. This wasn’t infatuation or even lust, but she was terrified to give it a name.
“Tell me anyway.” She shifted her hips, taking him deeper.
He pushed his entire length inside her then paused to stroke the side of her face. “It means chosen mate. Mate of my heart and my mind. You are not only the one my body craves, but the one I choose to love.”
“But you’ve been calling me that for days, almost from the start.”
Rather than argue with her, he pulled back and drove deep again. Only this time he filled her mind as completely as he filled her body. Desire, fascination, tenderness and regret twisted through her mind like an emotional kaleidoscope. His heightened senses made it impossible for him to avoid the truth. He’d recognized his mate as soon as he saw her. Then her scent, the texture of her skin and the taste of her desire confirmed what he’d already suspected. His enemy was also his mate.
“Don’t fight it.” He caught the back of her knees and rolled her hips up, allowing him to thrust more aggressively. “We didn’t ask for this, but there is no way we can escape it.”
He hit that sweet spot deep inside her and a cry of pleasure barreled past her objections. She refused to accept what he’d said, but she no longer denied it either. She concentrated on the thick slide of his body in and out of hers and shut out anything resembling thought.
Hooking one of her legs over his elbow, he freed his other hand to roam while maintaining the angle of her hips. She closed her eyes, unable to bear the stark hunger in his gaze. It didn’t help. The intensity of his need surged into her mind with each forceful thrust of his hips. It was empowering to be so desired, yet frightening too.
He pressed her nipples between his thumbs and fingers, drawing her attention back to the physical. He only lingered for a moment before descending along her ribs. She squirmed away from the ticklish sensations, but again he didn’t stay long. And then his hand eased between their bodies and his thumb covered her clit.
“Look at me, morautu.”
Mate. He’d called her mate. No, not just mate, chosen mate, the one he would select above all others. “Don’t,” she whispered, but she opened her eyes.
He released her leg and caught both her hands, intertwining their fingers. Then he pressed them against the bunk to either side of her head. “You are my morautu.” He thrust deeply, an obvious claim. “Nothing and no one can change that fact.”
The heat of his gaze burned into her as tangibly as his thickness filled her body. She was surrounded by him and filled with him, and nothing had ever felt so perfect. She drew her knees up along his sides and opened her mind, allowing him deeper than he’d gone before.
He cried out and thrust even faster. His fingers closed around her hands and his mouth swooped down, angling over her lips. She opened to him, greeting his tongue with a sensual swirl. All the while his hips kept up their frantic pounding. He staked his claim on her body as his energy blazed through her mind. And she was just as aggressive, bucking and twisting, her fingernails digging into his hands.
Morgan felt consumed, yet instantaneously reborn. She reveled in his frenzy as she abandoned herself to her own desire. She was beyond thought, beyond regret. She was on fire and Nazerel was the fuel that kept her flames burning. Nothing else existed; nothing else mattered.
Suddenly she arched clear off the bed and screamed into his open mouth. Pleasure tore through her body and blasted into his. The violent throbs shook him, triggering his release before washing over her again. Her inner muscles rippled around him as pulse after pulse gripped her core.
She recovered slowly, regaining her senses gradually. He’d released her hands, but was still inside her, still surprisingly hard. He held himself off her with his knees and one elbow while his free hand caressed her face.
“Are you all right? I thought you blacked out there for a minute.”
He sounded almost smug, so she punched him in the shoulder. “That was no better than average.”
“Liar.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “I’m not taking credit for it, but that was extraordinary.”
“If you say so.”
He chuckled. “The link is still open, Morgan. You can’t lie to me.”
“Well, I’m not going to feed your ego either, so change the subject.”
“All right.” With obvious reluctance, he separated their bodies and sat up. “What would you like to talk about?”
“Dissolve the link then we’ll talk.” Frustration and pain blasted into her mind for just a moment then the connection went dead. She understood the frustration, but why had her insistence on privacy caused him pain? “Thank you.”
He nodded once then scooted off the bed and reached for his clothes.
“Aren’t you going to clean up first? I thought we could take a shower.”
“No shower for either of us. We need to make as strong a statement as possible.”
Mortified by what he’d just suggested, she crawled off the bed and stood facing him. “You expect me to put on that dress and walk around the ship reeking of sex?”
“Yes. Once it’s been established that you’ve been claimed, we’ll come back and take a shower.”
“I can’t.” She covered herself as best she could with her hands. “I won’t.”
“Suit yourself, but the utility room is locked and you’re not leaving this cabin until we establish my claim.” Then his expression softened and he took a step toward her. “I know you noticed the way my cousins reacted to you. Do you really want the entire crew undressing you with their eyes?”
“But they’ll know what we were just doing,” she cried.
“That’s the point. Rodytes are extremely territorial. Another male’s scent makes a female unattractive, even one as beautiful as you.”
Seeing no other option, she reluctantly gave in. “Then let’s get this over with so we can both relax.”
They dressed in awkward silence. She felt his gaze on her frequently, but she wasn’t ready to share her thoughts, wasn’t sure she could express the myriad feelings assailing her mind. He opened the utility room for her, then loitered in the doorway to make sure she didn’t do more than run a comb through her hair and splash water on her face.
Once she’d repaired her appearance, he took her by the hand and led her from the cabin. When they encountered a crewmember, Nazerel slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side. Morgan could tell the exact moment Nazerel’s scent reached the other man. He averted his gaze and hurried past without acknowledging Morgan in any way.
They took an elevator up two levels then followed a corridor to a large observation deck. The area was enclosed by curved panels that created a transparent quarter dome. A huge wedge of star-dotted sky arched overhead while triple rows of smaller ships spread out before her. The ships were sleek and angular, not unlike human fighter jets. Crewmen moved among the ships without spacesuits or any form of breathing apparatus, yet the area didn’t appear to be enclosed.
“Why aren’t they all dead or being sucked out into space?” She glanced at Nazerel and found him watching her, his expression intense yet unreadable.
“The launch decks are surrounded by energy barriers. It keeps the oxygen in while allowing the fighters to depart without delay.”
“‘Launch decks’? How many are there?”
“Eight.”
“And each deck has,” she quickly counted the ships, “thirty fighters?”
“Taking an inventory?” He pivoted toward her and reached for her hand.
“As if it matters.” She shook her head, overwhelmed by the scope of her surroundings. “Our most sophisticated ship seems like a toy compared to this.”
“The actual hanger is below the launch deck and stores several hundred fighters. Good thing we’re on the same side.” He pulled her toward him and placed his hands on her hips.
“Are we?” Not wanting to forfeit the comfort of his touch, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her body had barely stopped tingling and already the fantasy was fading. “How long will we stay that way once your cousins start hunting human females?”
Nazerel sighed, clearly frustrated by her stubbornness. “Your government negotiated with Ontarians, more than once. Why would they refuse to negotiate with Rodytes?”
She didn’t want to fight, but their break from reality was over. He’d brought her here against her will in a rash attempt to avoid capture. All of his talk of chosen mates and an hour of spectacular sex didn’t change the basic facts. He was a fugitive and it was her job to apprehend him. “Will the Rodytes negotiate or will they fly this behemoth to Earth and take what they want? We have no way to stop them. When the positions are this disparate, there is very little motivation to negotiate.”
He pushed her away and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re determined to cast us as villains before we’ve even chosen a course of action. Don’t judge my entire race by the actions of one woman.”
“It’s hard not to when you want the same thing. Sevrin was trying to genetically engineer what the battle born can accomplish naturally. You said two-thirds of the Rodyte military is battle born. How many males is that? Thousands? Hundreds of thousands? Earth is not going to give up that many females without a fight.”
“Are you sure?” His tone was cold and cutting as he added, “They assisted Sevrin, and she was one of many.”
“What are you talking about? We did everything in our power to stop Sevrin.”
“Your taskforce creates deniability, but the truth is more troubling. Sevrin’s project wasn’t ‘officially’ sanctioned. Those sorts of projects never are. But the US government not only knew what she was doing, they allowed her ships to land in the desert and provided her with various supplies and personnel crucial to her success.”
She could barely concentrate through the ringing in her ears. “You know this or you suspect?”
“You tell me. How reliable is Flynn? The data he sold me contains numerous messages between Sevrin and various government officials.”
Feeling like she’d been punched in the stomach, she took a step back and looked out into space. “This is unbelievable. I busted my ass trying to find that woman and she was being aided by my own government?”
He touched her arm, his fingers warm and strong against her skin. “We’ve all been betrayed. My people were enslaved by the elders, the battle born were forsaken by the elite, and your government is corrupt and self-serving. It’s past time for change, significant, even radical change.”
She shivered and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, slowly drawing her toward his chest. “I need to see the messages.”
“I welcome your insight,” he assured. “If Flynn was having fun at my expense, I need to know.”
“And if my taskforce is a cover for government corruption, I need to know.”
Varrik held Echo against his chest as he meticulously scanned their surroundings. When they combined their powers, they were able to shield themselves so well they were undetectable to most security systems. Still, they’d never tested their abilities on a Rodyte space station before. Rather than risking the environmental upheaval of an interplanetary jump, he’d teleported from Earth to Ontariese and from Ontariese to a ship not far from Space Station 438. The final jump had been short and stealthy, leaving plenty of energy for their combined shields.
“I think it’s clear.” Echo eased away from him without leaving the circle of his embrace.
He ran his hand down the back of her hair as tenderness flooded his heart. “Maybe I was just enjoying having you in my arms.”
“As I was enjoying being there.”
“But,” he smiled and kissed her forehead. “We have a job to do.”
She pivoted to his side as they crossed the storeroom into which he’d teleported them. They were near the large commerce hub in the center of the space station, yet isolated enough to avoid detection. He scanned the corridor then slowly opened the door and confirmed that the hallway was empty.
The hallway led to the outer ring of the commerce hub, but most of the shops weren’t currently open. The lack of activity wasn’t surprising, however. It was almost two o’clock in the morning. They’d studied a diagram of the station, so they had a general idea of where they needed to go. They walked briskly through the area, not making eye contact with anyone. Arrival gates were located to the left of the hub, departures to the right. Maintenance bays and long-term docking were one level down and directly below the commerce hub.
The Undaunted had just undergone some minor repairs and was expected to depart in a day or two. They found the stairs leading to the lower levels but paused to scan ahead before they descended.
“Is security always so lax?” Echo asked as they started down the stairs. “Why are there no guards or surveillance bots?”
They’d prepared documentation to account for their presence on the space station. Echo had even worn an ankle-length skirt in deference to Rodyte customs. Still, it seemed odd that they’d encountered no check points or scanner stations. “Perhaps we just haven’t entered a high security zone yet.”
As if in response to their confusion, there was a check point at the entrance to Sublevel 1. Echo lagged a step behind and pulled the hood of her lavender jacket up to shadow her face. Varrik pulled the documents out of his pocket and confidently approached the guard.
“What is your business on SS 438?” The guard examined their papers then looked up as he waited for Varrik’s answer.
“My brother is stationed aboard the Undaunted.”
“The female belongs to you?”
“Absolutely.” He moved closer to the guard without changing his expression. He needed to accent his claim without starting a fight.
“Keep her close. General Nox has been stingy with shore leave, so everyone who disembarks is ready for trouble.”
“I appreciate the warning.”
The guard passed his scanner wand over the documents. “You’re cleared for a ten-hour stay. If you need more time, you’ll have to report to a security station and be reauthorized.”
“I understand.”
He handed the documents back to Varrik and triggered the gate in front of them. “Enjoy your stay.”
They didn’t need to ask direction to the Undaunted. The massive ship filled the observation windows at the end of the concourse directly in front of them.
Echo’s hand slipped out of his as she moved closer to the windows. She bent sharply to the left and looked up along the side of the ship. “I can’t see the top.” She straightened and shook her head. “You told me it was big, but damn. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s the largest ship the Rodytes have ever built and they’ve built some mammoth ships.”
Moving back from the windows, she turned to face him. “If this is the most sophisticated ship the Rodytes have ever built, what are our chances of flashing on board without being detected?”
“Slim to none, but it doesn’t matter. I have something else in mind.” He lowered her hood and unfastened the clasp at the back of her hair.
“What are you doing? Someone might recognize me.” She snatched the clasp from him, but he continued on as if she hadn’t objected.
“There’s no reason to start a fight when a little deception will work even better.” He fluffed her hair and arranged it around her shoulders. “Perfect. Now put on your best princess face. We’re going to use your family to our advantage for a change. Pretend you’re E’Lanna. Come on.” He led her to the uniformed sentries who were guarding the airlock.
“Halt.” One of the guards stepped forward and extended his arm, palm out. “Only authorized personnel allowed.”
“Well, then you need to get authorization,” Varrik countered. “This is Princess E’Lanna dar Aune of Ontariese and she would like a tour of this magnificent ship. In fact, contact General Nox. She expects a guided tour of his new vessel.”
The guard started to object, but his companion stopped him.
“Do you have proof of her identity?” the second guard asked.
“Scan her face. Her image is in countless data streams all over this star system.”
Echo raised her chin and stared past the guards as if they were beneath her notice. Varrik had seen the expression before, but never on Echo’s face. She looked just like her twin sister E’Lanna.
The second guard approached with obvious hesitation. “May I scan you, Highness?”
“If you must. Though I don’t know why our word isn’t good enough.” She sniffed and raised her chin even higher.
Moments after the scanner beam passed across her face the guard showed his display to his partner. “Our apologies, Highness. Give us a moment to contact General Nox.”
She shooed them away with an indolent wave of her hand. “Do you think he’ll respond personally?” she asked once the guards were out of earshot.
“Would you? It’s the middle of the night.” Varrik smiled as her haughtiness melted away. “He’ll send an underling to bring us to him and then the real fun begins. He won’t be pleased that we tricked our way onto his ship, but it’s less provocative than attempting to teleport through his shields.”
“I agree. This was a better choice.”
Twenty minutes passed before their escort arrived and as Varrik predicted, he was not General Nox but one of his brothers. The young man walked up to Echo and bowed from the waist, his silver-ringed gaze politely remaining on her face.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess dar Aun. I’m Zilor Nox.”
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” She smiled flirtatiously.
“If you’d given us some sort of warning, we could have arranged a reception.”
“I don’t need anything fancy.” She waved away the concept and motioned toward the ship. “This was an impulse, nothing more.” She looped her arm through his and pressed in close. “Of course, your brother’s reputation is almost as impressive as the ship’s. Please tell me he hasn’t refused to see me.”
“And insult someone so enchanting?” He patted her hand as they started for the airlock. “Never.”
Varrik fell instep behind them, though Zilor hadn’t even glanced his way. He watched carefully and listened for any deception in Zilor’s tone. This had been almost too easy.
They passed through the airlock and turned to the right—and they were swarmed by armed guards. Varrik was taken to the floor while Echo was shoved against the wall.
“Watch their hands,” Zilor shouted. “They can both command magic.”
Varrik could have flashed to safety, but only if he were willing to abandon his mate.
Go. Echo urged. The negotiation might go better if—
Never!
She responded with a wave of warmth as Varrik was dragged back to his feet. They’d wrapped something around both his hands then secured his wrists behind his back. Echo was similarly restrained, though her hands had been bound in front of her. Foolish Rodytes perceived her as less of a threat because she was female. In many ways her powers were more impressive than his.
“Sorry about the precautions,” Zilor said with a lazy smile. “You must admit your visit is a bit unusual.”
“It’s insulting to be met with such discourtesy.” Echo tossed her head, managing to look regal despite the restraints. “I have nothing more to say to you.”
Zilor laughed. “Fine by me, but that attitude isn’t going to get you anywhere with General Nox. He demands respect from even uninvited guests.”
“Release me at once. I’ve changed my mind. I have no interest in this vessel or its obnoxious commander.”
“Too late, princess.” Zilor took her by the arm and led her along the corridor. Two guards preceded him and two fell in behind Varrik. “You’ve earned yourself a visit with a very grumpy general.”
Varrik wasn’t surprised when they were led to the brig rather than a reception hall or office. Echo sputtered and objected, insisting that she be released. Varrik had hoped for a less aggressive approach, but he’d suspected this was more in keeping with Rodyte hospitality. Still, if they’d ignored protocols entirely, they would have been met with even more hostility.
Zilor guided Echo into a holding cell and Varrik started to push past him and join her in the tiny room. “Sorry. One visitor per cell.” He grabbed Varrik’s upper arm and pulled him out of the room.
“I must be with my mistress!” He jerked out of Zilor’s hand and made it past the doorway before he was yanked back by two of the guards. “I am responsible for her safety.”
“Not going to happen.” Zilor motioned to the cell across the room and the guards deposited Varrik inside. “You can see her, so you’ll know she’s in no danger.”
“If she’s in no danger, why are you treating her like a criminal?” Varrik challenged. Damn it! He couldn’t teleport her out of here if he couldn’t touch her. This was not what he had in mind.
“You must really think we’re fools, Varrik. Settle in. No one’s in a hurry to listen to more of your lies.”