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Malo studied the female asleep beside him. His heart expanded like it would explode with the warmth of adoration and gratitude she invoked. He cupped her belly, stroking his thumb across it. There lay his damu, his son.
Maker. What had he done to deserve such blessings? Wiping the tear running down his cheek, he slipped out of bed. He had tasks to perform, those he had discarded in the pursuit of his precious Caro.
She didn’t understand how much he needed her, how she’d changed him, his life. Sorrow lingered in her eyes, and nothing he said erased it. Yet it had been something he’d said to place it there.
No matter how he replayed their conversations, he couldn’t find the words that had brought her such pain. Had she longed for a daughter? He’d told her they were scarce, which she must have forgotten. No, he recalled her saying the gender didn’t matter.
He pulled on his armor, his movements silent. Brynr had warned of mood swings, exhaustion as his damu grew, and to be tolerant with her. If she asked for a moon, Malo would find her the brightest, most beautiful moon. If she asked for a gem, nothing would stand in his way while he hunted for the perfect one. Couldn’t she see that?
Yet she asked for nothing.
He drew the blanket over her then tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Leaving her summoned a deep ache in his core. He had to scent her all the time, to relive her gentle touch. That was the madness he referred to earlier when she had gone through the katac techniques with grace, agility, and the most sensual movements any Kayarra would be proud of.
His groin had caught alight, burning need through him. How he remained in the comfy for the demonstration, had to be due to his training... to resist temptation or torture. Each lunge and thrust had sparked something primitive within him. Never before had lust driven away all thoughts and stripped him of his control.
When he’d buried himself in her, her channel still spasming from her fulfillment, his had followed in quick succession. The too exquisite sensations were almost painful. He would repeat the experience without hesitation, for as agony met pleasure, it was also addictive. He understood the line between them, one he’d crossed on numerous occasions for the good of Etteria.
Never had he expected his Dar Eth to inspire such ecstasy. When he’d pondered the suitable characteristics of a female, he’d thought of her like a battle-bond, certainly not this obsession.
He scooped Caro’s panties off the floor and shoved them into his pocket. If he had to complete his tasks, he needed to focus, and he couldn’t do it without her scent. The great Operations Commander Malo et Dalo weakened by a human? By his Dar Eth? Satiation thrummed through him, energizing him. Yes, he would succumb to her, not caring what others thought, of how it impacted his reputation.
His forearm buzzed. He hurried out of their quarters, not wanting to awaken her. They had found fulfillment twice, and a third time teased at the edges of his senses. The annals mentioned such an intense period in their relationship as the Ethera completed their union. With her carrying his damu, he had to be careful not to tire her.
The O.D.I. vibrated along his arm again. He answered once he stepped into the passage outside their quarters. “What is it?”
“Earth has announced your impending return. They have their warriors ready to arrest you for kidnapping, Operations Commander.”
“And?” He arched a brow, not that Afax could see it. Stomping his way to the comm room, he waited for the male to elaborate.
“Director Reyes would like to speak with you when you have a moment. Also, I have Joshua Guardian on standby to discuss underwater crafts.” Afax’s voice held skepticism.
Malo grunted, bursting into the comm room. He gestured to Afax to connect the comm to Director Reyes while he assumed a position in front of the large vids.
“Director Reyes,” he said by way of greeting, folding his arms behind his back.
“Did you find her?” The human had aged, with dark circles under his eyes.
Malo allowed a wide smile to form. “Yes, and she is well.”
The male slumped in his chair. His head fell back, and he closed his eyes. “Good, and the culprits?”
“A vindictive Maloidian operative.”
“Maloidian?” The human male scowled. “I’m aware there are new species living and working at our stations on the outskirts of space, but none, other than the Algri, have officially introduced themselves.”
“We will share what we have on known species.” Malo flicked a glance at Afax. The male punched on his keys. “I have shipped the Maloidian and her accomplices to our Fuyra mines.” He unfolded his arms and gripped the console, leaning in. “Still, I need to know how Yithians made it past your security, Director Reyes. Find out who granted them access. Someone in E.S.A. might not want Etterians on your Earth.”
Director Reyes gasped, sitting up in his chair to rest his elbows on the table. “I’ll put my best men on this. I must warn you, Malo, my superiors are intent on arresting you for Caro’s disappearance. I’ve explained the situation, but our media has blown this out of proportion. The arrest is just a formality, and I would consider it a personal favor if you don’t resist. You will, of course, be released.”
Malo pinched his lips, debating whether he should reveal that imprisonment wasn’t new to him, nor did he fear it. “As much as I would enjoy the time spent in your custody, I am suffering from the Ethera. I cannot be away from Caro for long.” He scowled. “My Dar Eth would need to be detained with me, Director Reyes, and this I will not allow.”
“Oh, dear.” Director Reyes frowned. “I’ll bring this to their attention and revert soonest. Send Caro my love.”
The vid went blank on Malo’s scowl. He held a higher rank than Director Reyes, and how dare the man ask him to send...love. What did that even mean?
“Joshua Guardian.” He stared at the display vid, expecting Afax to make the connection. A male with brown hair and pale-green eyes appeared. In a uniform hugging his torso and his bearing erect, he showed neither impatience nor anger that Malo had kept him waiting.
“Joshua Guardian, I am Operations Commander Malo.”
He grinned. “It’s Joshua Bennett or Josh, Operations Commander.” His light brown hair was shaven.
Malo twitched, finding it hard to accept that for humans, short hair didn’t mean dishonor. “Josh, Director Reyes informs me that you are the Earth’s liaison and expert in submarines.”
“I wouldn’t say expert.” His shrug contradicted his prideful blush. These humans were too easy to read. “I’ve spoken to Quin and can confirm the submarine chosen will suit your interests but not your physiology. We don’t have submarines large enough to cater for the average height of an Etterian. It is why I agreed to join the shipment, to help Etteria in building your own.”
Malo nodded. “You have my gratitude.”
“I have been in contact with Ambassador Brenin.” Josh’s lips curled, revealing his opinion of the male. “Lucas and I will be traveling with him.”
“Are you saying my mission on Earth is complete?” Malo held his breath then released it on a silent sigh. At the thought of taking Caro home to Etteria, he couldn’t stop the exploding emotions warming his chest.
“I can’t confirm or deny this, Operations Commander, since I’m not aware of your mission parameters.”
Malo grunted at having asked the human the question. He would contact King Xeus and Sub-Commander Vorn. Perhaps there were one or two tasks he had to attend to, and of course, his impending imprisonment.
“Thank you for taking the time, Joshua Bennett.”
The male tapped his temple with two fingers before the screen switched to black, this time at Afax’s instruction. Malo dropped into his chair and rested a fingertip on his data tab. He dragged the device across the metal table, tapped it on, and grimaced at the endless communications awaiting his attention.
Time waits for no male, even one in the throes of the Ethera.
Speaking into his O.D.I., he summoned Data Officer Tias and started the arduous task of sifting through his comms.
“Operations Commander,” Tias greeted when he entered the comm room.
“I need you to sort through in and outgoing comms at E.S.A., specifically from the day we arrived. Someone there endangered my Dar Eth, and this will not be tolerated.” Malo pushed his data tab away and buried his fingers in his pocket, cherishing the silkiness of Caro’s undergarment. “Share your findings with Director Reyes. I do not want to anger the only ally we have.”
“Yes, Operations Commander.”
Dismissing Tias, Malo gestured to Afax. “Comm Sub-Commander Vorn.” He drummed his fingers on his data tab, waiting. “Vorn, status report,” he said the moment the sub-commander’s image appeared on the large display vids.
The male winced. “Not good, Operations Commander. The humans are circling the Gladio.”
“They think I kidnapped my Dar Eth. Do not fire upon them, and keep the peace as best as possible.” Malo pinched his brow. “How is Izzy?” He had to ask. Caro was desperate for news.
Vorn hesitated. “I tasked Supreme Commander Oyaz to rescue Lady Simone, Lady Izzy’s sister. An incident occurred. Elite Warrior Danic was injured but is healing. Supreme Commander Oyaz and Lady Izzy are missing.”
“Missing?” Malo straightened, ice sliding down his spine. “For how long, and where did this occur?”
“A week ago.” Vorn stiffened.
“What?” Malo burst to his feet. “What steps have you taken, sub-commander?”
“It took a day to realize they had not returned from their excursion.” Vorn raised his chin, accepting the full blame on his shoulders. “My apologies, Operations Commander. I assumed the newly mated pair sought privacy.”
Malo grinned. “Oyaz and Izzy?”
“Yes, Operations Commander. Supreme Commander Oyaz’s O.D.I. is inactive. I have sent teams to Lady Simone’s house, found traces of an ambush, blood from a Yithian, and a cold trail leading into the forest to the east. They camped the night, then Izzy contacted Elite Warrior Garix. After this, we lost them completely. I have scoured the land surrounding the area and analyzed all escape routes.”
Malo grimaced, unable to share this news with Caro, not in her current condition. He growled into his O.D.I. and waited for Tias to arrive. “Tias, assist Sub-Commander Vorn in locating Supreme Commander Oyaz and Lady Izzy. Vorn, forward what you know to Tias. We are a week out. I can fully assist then. This is not good news, and the fault rests on my shoulders. I incapacitated you by taking the Gladio’s data officer with me.”
“My thanks, Operations Commander. The Valiant awaits its data officer since Supreme Commander Oyaz is newly appointed. Supreme Commander Nerx is en route, as is Adviser Cales and Prince Citus.”
Malo gestured to Afax, who ended the comm. “To vanish for a week, maybe longer? My instincts say this is not the Yithians.”
“I agree, Operations Commander.” Tias glanced up from his O.D.I. “I will attend to both tasks with the utmost urgency.”
Malo dismissed him and focused on the display vids. He didn’t want to comm the king after the morning he’d had. “Send all this to Advisers Cales and Kanzo. Let them decide what the king should see. I am heading home to my Dar Eth.”
Lunch with Caro and a fast mating might refuel his flagging spirits.
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