Page 145

He held her to his heart, his soul wrapping itself around hers. Positioning himself over her, he entered her in one slick thrust.

With a soaring, overwhelming need, he worked his hips, wrecking his woman with such indulgence that Élisa couldn’t hold back her ecstasy, a moan escaping her lips.

She gasped. ‘Oh, Riv.’

He carried through the storm of bliss, his soul immersing in hers as they combusted.

Later, Élisa sighed, her muscles relaxing after their intense lovemaking. They lay in bed, naked, her head against his chest.

He tightened his muscled arms around her. ‘I never will give up our love, for there’s nothing better than loving you in this universe.’

She snuggled closer to his hard torso, feeling his heartbeat throb under her ear. ‘Tis true. Since we took this second chance, our joy has been complete.’

25

A Dance Of Rapture

RIV

Aday later, seventeen more War Hawks and capital vessels left for Katáne, parting with the Phantasm.

‘They need to return to secure as much of the planet as possible before my return,’ Killen informed his parents. Under their feet, the sheep rumbled as the behemoth entered hyperspace for the final lap of its journey to Eden II.

They’d taken a more circuitous route, so the Katánians and Edenites had time to discuss establishing diplomatic ties.

Now that was complete, left behind were Kaxim and Kione, their two WarHawk ships safe in the dreadnought’s gigantic hold.

Riding beside the mammoth Sable ship was the Kogun War Eagle, now belonging to Killen as the rightful heir to the Katánian throne.

It’d been purged of any crew deemed loyal to the old King, and they were sent back with the rest of the fleet to Katáne.

The remaining skeleton complement consisted of Krypós and Kestrel warriors trusted by the new army leaders, Kaxim and Kione.

Per Katánian tradition, the two men, now acting as the King’s Armorer and King’s Guard, would not leave Killen’s side. Not if they could help it.

The two Krypós commanders planned to remain with him as he attended his parents’ wedding on Eden II. After which, they’d escort him back to Katánapolis, where he would launch his rightful bid for the throne.

Meantime, they shared with Killen as much up-to-date insight on Katáne’s realities: its challenges, socio-political nuances, and the battles he’d have to face before he won over his people.

Killen reveled in the company of his new friends, which Élisa made note of out loud.

‘Having lived most of his life a loner or just with me, the connections he’s making with these warriors are blowing his mind. He loves that they’re aligned with his values. Our son is thoughtful and cerebral, yet, under his calm demeanor, he has a driven passion for doing the right thing, which is why the Katánians’ plight calls to him. He desires to help his people, even though they might shun him. Or that he might end up hating their lords and elder society, and would consider their bloated parties and balls to be the lowest form of human misery. He longs to be a guardian to his people and bring change to Katáne. But I believe one of the journeys he might go on asKírígais accepting them as they are. A wild, fierce yet rigid culture rather than who he wants them to be.’

‘You’re skilled at reading people, my love,’ Riv noted as he draped an arm around his woman. They were seated in bleachers surrounding the Phantasm’s internal gym, where a series of sparring sessions were now being held.

The mock fights were a draw card for the crew to help pass away the hours of their flight back to Eden II.

Élisa smiled. ‘It’s a leftover from wearing the hawkstone for the few years I had it. It’s also because I know my son so well. The challenge for me will be in letting him find his way in Katáne and allowing him to make mistakes, for he will make them. But I can’t be there to fix them any longer.’

Shouts and battle cries sounded from the arena as the two winged warriors thrilled the onlookers with their Katániankoyasab?r fighting skills.

Riv jerked his chin in their direction. ‘Those two have fit right in with us. I’ve enjoyed exchanging wild war stories with them.’

His woman nodded. ‘They’re an intriguing pair. From my few conversations with him, Kaxim has a dark, dry humor. He uses it as a defense mechanism to mask his insecurities about his scars and lack of refinement.’

‘Tell me more about him,’ Riv murmured, his eyes tracking the Katánian sparring with his son.

His woman contemplated the man in question. ‘Kaxim is a gruff and rugged Krypós soldier with a rough exterior. As the Royal Armorer, he’s a real beast, a shoulder above the Hawk Hunters, fierce in battle but wary of those around him. He was once my father’s guard and is now seen as a traitor. He led the rebellion against theKírígaandKiamaelders, which shows a zeal for justice. I predict he will clash with Killen’s more spiritual approach. However, spending time with our son may help to smooth out some of Kaxim’s rough edges.’