Page 14 of Devil’s Night (Vinduthi Captured Mates #7)

EPILOGUE: NICOLE

I t had been a week since Sargon and I stepped through that portal, leaving my world behind to face an unknown destiny together. In that span of time, so much had changed, yet the bond tying us together only grew stronger with each passing day.

He spent time on his percomm, long conversations with the brother’s-in arms-who thought he had disappeared for good.

I caught glimpses of their faces, as he explained the time trap, our meeting.

Despite them all looking like hardened Vinduthi warriors, I could tell how relieved they were that he had returned, and how curious they were about the little human they could see peeking over Sargon’s shoulder.

One morning, I awoke to find Sargon already up, his intense red eyes studying me so tenderly that my heart fluttered. “Get dressed, little one,” he rumbled. “I have a surprise for you.”

Intrigued, I did as he asked, donning a lightweight sundress in shades of green that complimented my auburn hair. When I emerged from the bathroom, Sargon’s gaze raked over me appreciatively, his sharp teeth flashing in a wolfish grin.

“Stunning, as always,” he murmured, pulling me into his embrace.

“So, where are we going?” I asked as we made our way out of our quarters and into the bustling space station.

Sargon’s only response was a mysterious smile. He led me to the hangar bay, where a sleek private craft awaited us. My brows rose in surprise – Sargon certainly knew how to travel in style these days.

As we settled into the plush seats and the engines fired up, I felt a slight tingle across my skin. Sargon must have noticed my reaction, because he reached over and tapped a spot just below my ear.

“I took the liberty of getting you a translator patch,” he explained. “It will allow you to understand any language we encounter.”

I marveled at the tiny device, giving it an experimental tap. Instantly, the whirring of the ship’s systems and the chatter from the control tower became comprehensible. “Sargon, this is amazing! Thank you.”

He merely inclined his head, those red eyes glinting with approval at my delight. The ship lifted off smoothly, and before I knew it, we had broken through the station’s atmosphere and entered the starry expanse of space.

Sargon’s large hand found mine, his thumb caressing my knuckles.

“Where are we going?” I asked again, tearing my gaze from the viewport to look at him.

“Somewhere incredible,” was all he would say, that slight smile still playing about his lips.

The journey passed in a comfortable silence, my head resting on Sargon’s shoulder as I watched the stars streak past in brilliant streaks of light. When at last we began our descent, I straightened, eager to catch my first glimpse of our destination.

What I saw stole the breath from my lungs.

A verdant world shimmered below us, swaths of vivid emerald and sapphire broken up by bursts of vibrant pinks, oranges, and violets. Towering crystalline structures glittered in the faint sunlight, and strange, delicate creatures with gossamer wings flitted amongst the flora.

“Sargon “ I whispered, pressing my face to the viewport. “It’s beautiful.”

“One of the most tranquil, unspoiled planets in this sector,” he rumbled with clear satisfaction at my awestruck reaction. “I thought you might enjoy a respite from the chaos.”

The shuttle set down with a gentle bump, and Sargon was at my side in an instant, offering his arm. I took it gladly, allowing him to lead me down the ramp and onto the soft, mossy ground.

Instantly, my senses were assaulted by the vibrant world around me. The air was thick with the heady perfume of alien blooms, their petals unfurling in a mesmerizing array of colors I could scarcely name. Strange, melodic trills drifted on the breeze, emanating from the delicate winged creatures dancing from flower to flower.

I bent to run my fingers over the plush vegetation beneath my feet, marveling at the velvety texture. “Sargon, this place is “

“A dream,” he finished for me, cupping my cheek so I met his smoldering gaze. “And one I intend for us to enjoy to the fullest.”

His thumb traced my jaw, sending an anticipatory quiver through me. Then, clearing his throat, he gestured toward a path winding through the alien flora. “Shall we?”

Hand-in-hand, we set off to explore this waking dream of a world. Sargon seemed to know where he was going, deftly leading us over mossy rises and around shimmering pools. At one point, I paused to examine a cluster of fuchsia fronds, their tips glistening with dew drops that threw kaleidoscopic shards of light with every tremulous movement.

Then suddenly I snatched my hand away. I’d been so caught up in the sheer wonderment, I had momentarily forgotten my precarious situation – a human dropped into an alien world, naive to its potential dangers.

But Sargon was here. Fiercely intelligent and protective, he would keep me safe. That thought was a balm to my worried mind, and I gripped his hand a little tighter as we continued on our way.

At length, the path opened up onto a secluded cove, the likes of which I had never seen. A shimmering expanse of water stretched out before us, its surface rippling with a rainbow of soft hues – pinks, lavenders, periwinks, and pale cerulean. Jutting up from the shallows were twisted, gnarled trunks adorned with fronds of feathery lavender that swayed in the faint breeze.

“Oh, Sargon “ I breathed, unable to tear my eyes away from the ethereal sight.

He gave a low chuckle, wrapping his arms around me from behind. His chin came to rest on my shoulder, his lips brushing my ear. “I thought you might appreciate the view.”

“It’s incredible. Magical, even.” I turned my head to meet his intense red gaze. “How did you find this place?”

“Trade secret, I’m afraid,” he said with a wink. “But I’m pleased you like it.”

Like it? I was utterly entranced. With a contented sigh, I allowed myself to sink back against the solid wall of his chest, reveling in the simple pleasure of being here, with him, surrounded by such splendor.

We stood that way for endless moments, simply basking in the tranquil beauty. At length, Sargon stirred, his hands skimming down my arms.

“Hungry, little one?”

My stomach gave a rumble as if on cue, drawing a rich laugh from the Vinduthi beside me. He released me with one final nuzzle against my neck and strode back down the path we’d arrived by. When he returned, he was laden with a basket overflowing with alien delicacies – jewel-toned fruits glistening with sugary dewdrops, plates of some sort of airy bread riddled with herbs and spices, and a heavy ceramic jug that sloshed enticingly.

“You certainly came prepared,” I teased as he spread out a plush blanket and began unpacking our repast.

Sargon smiled at the compliment. “I do try to be a gracious host.”

He patted the space beside him, and I settled onto the soft blanket, cross-legged and eager to sample the tantalizing fare he had procured. As I bit into one of the strange, oblong fruits, a burst of tart sweetness flooded my mouth, the flavor at once familiar and entirely new.

“Mmm, that’s delicious!” I hummed in appreciation. “What is it?”

“A k’lavi,” Sargon replied around a mouthful of the airy bread. “A delicacy on this world, or so I’m told.”

My brows rose at that. “You’ve never been here before?”

He shook his head. “Not until today. But I did my research.” His gaze grew pointed. “I would never risk bringing you somewhere potentially hazardous without being fully prepared.”

I felt a flush creep up my neck at the intensity of his stare, the promise it held. Clearing my throat, I reached for the heavy jug, unstoppering it to find a rich, amber liquid within that smelled faintly of the perfumed alien flora around us.

“And what’s this?” I asked, allowing some of the fragrant liquid to slosh into a waiting cup.

“A fermented nectar wine,” Sargon said, his pointed teeth flashing in a grin as he noted my look of surprise. “Don’t worry, I’ve been assured it’s perfectly safe for human consumption. A local delicacy to accompany our meal.”

I gave the strange wine an experimental sip, rolling it over my tongue as the heady, floral notes burst across my palate. It was at once bracing and indulgent, its rich sweetness offset by an undertone of spice.

“Mmm, incredible,” I sighed, taking another sip. Already, I could feel a pleasant warmth spreading through my limbs, the tension I hadn’t even realized I was carrying bleeding away.

For long, languid moments, we simply enjoyed our picnic in contented silence, enjoying the flavors and allowing the peaceful ambiance of the cove to soak into our very souls. When at last the basket lay empty, I stretched out on the blanket with a replete sigh, idly running my fingers through the thick, mossy ground covering.

Sargon shifted to brace himself on one elbow beside me, his intense red gaze studying my face with that unblinking focus that never failed to set my pulse racing. I met that smoldering stare unabashed, allowing my eyes to roam over the lean, muscular lines of his form, the swirling tattoo-like markings that adorned his gray skin.

So different from me, yet I had never felt such a sense of rightness, of belonging, as I did at his side.

“What are you thinking, little one?” he murmured, reaching out to tuck an errant lock of hair behind my ear.

A small, wistful smile twisting my lips. “I was just thinking how lucky I am. To have found you.”

His throat worked, as though he were warring with some weighty emotion. At length, he exhaled a shuddering breath. “I am the fortunate one, Nicole. More than you could possibly know.”

I traced the contours of Sargon’s chiseled abdomen, marveling at the sleek power coiled within his frame. His muscles tensed beneath my touch, and I glanced up to find his crimson gaze burning into me with an hunger that called to me.

“Sargon?” I murmured, my fingers stilling. “What is it?”

He was silent for a long moment, that unblinking stare piercing straight through to my soul. When at last he spoke, the words were rough with some weighty emotion.

“Nicole, there is something I must explain to you.” He cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing along my cheekbone. “Among my kind, to take a mate is not a trivial thing.”

My brows knit together as I studied his grave expression. “Like to be married, right?”

He gave a slow nod. “It is far more than a human marriage vow, little one. When Vinduthi claim each other, it is a profound bonding – physical, mental, spiritual. Our very essences are intertwined.”

A tendril of unease unfurled in my gut. “You’re scaring me a little, Sargon. What are you trying to say?”

His throat worked as he swallowed hard. “I want you, Nicole. I want you to stay with me. Be a part of me.”

The words hung heavy between us, reverberating through my very bones. I searched his intense features, looking for any hint of deception, but found only naked longing and a trace of fear?

“But you are human,” he continued roughly. “Becoming my mate, it would change you. Irrevocably.”

Change me? My mouth went dry. “H-how? What do you mean?”

Sargon’s piercing red gaze held mine as he explained in a low, even tone. “To claim you, I would need to bite you – inject you with trace elements of my DNA. It would catalyze mutations within your body. Augmenting your strength, senses, healing abilities.” His thumb brushed the line of my cheekbone. “You would gain markings like mine, a sign of our bond, our joining.”

I recoiled instinctively, my heart pounding as visions of my body twisting, changing, flickered through my mind. Sargon’s expression tightened, that fear I had glimpsed now clear in the taut lines of his face.

“I know it is much to ask,” he said, his deep voice tinged with regret. “Perhaps too much of a human raised in a society that still has not reached the stars-”

“Wait.” I held up a hand, my thoughts whirling. “Your friend, the one with the human mate… did he do this to her?”

Sargon’s jaw clenched, then relaxed with a slow nod. “Yes. She agreed to the bonding process, despite the risks.”

Despite the risks. The phrasing made my stomach churn. What kind of life-altering transformation had his friend’s wife undertaken? And why would anyone agree to such a thing?

As though sensing my unease, Sargon leaned in close, the heat of his body enveloping me, beckoning me into the circle of his arms.

“I would never ask this of you lightly, Nicole,” he murmured. “The bonding would render you forever altered, forever bound to me. But it would also allow us to walk the same path, face whatever destiny awaits us as true partners, our souls as one.”

His words washed over me, igniting sparks of longing amidst the apprehension churning within. Slowly, hesitantly, I reached up to touch the swirls of orange filigree swirling across his chiseled features.

“These markings… they’re beautiful,” I murmured.

Sargon’s breath shuddered, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “You need not decide now, little one. I have already asked too much of you by -”

“I want it.”

The words slipped out in a breathless rush before I could reconsider. Sargon went utterly still, those smoldering red eyes searching my face as if seeking any hint of doubt or hesitation.

He found none. Only a steadfast yearning, a fierce need to bind myself to this enigmatic alien who had so thoroughly claimed my heart.

With a low, rumbling growl, Sargon crushed his lips to mine in a desperate kiss. I melted into his embrace, parting my lips to deepen the contact as his hands roamed hungrily over my body. When we at last broke apart, I was dizzy and breathless, desire thrumming through my veins.

Sargon nuzzled along my jaw, blazing a path down the column of my throat. I arched into him with a ragged cry, every nerve ending thrumming in exquisite anticipation.

“Are you sure?” he rasped against my skin, the words a desperate plea scored with undisguised longing.

“Yes,” I managed, threading my fingers through his thick locks. “Sargon, please I’m yours.”

A savage growl tore from his throat as he captured my lips once more in a ferocious kiss. I returned it with equal fervor, reveling in the taste, the scent, the sheer overwhelming presence of him surrounding me.

Then, without warning, I felt a sharp prick against the side of my neck, swiftly followed by a molten rush of liquid fire filling my veins. A strangled cry tore from my lips, my back arching as the most intense euphoria I had ever known blazed through me with each hammering beat of my heart.

The world splintered and fractured around me. I was dimly aware of Sargon’s arms tightening like steel bands, cradling me against the tremors wracking through me. Just as swiftly as the pleasure had come, an insidious lassitude began to seep through my limbs. My eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and the last thing I knew before the darkness claimed me was the reverent press of his lips against my brow.

“Rest now, my mate,” his beloved voice murmured. “When you awaken, your new life will begin “

Some indeterminate time later, my eyes fluttered open to blinding brilliance. I recoiled with a sharp gasp, squeezing them shut once more against the onslaught of light and color so vibrant, so overwhelming, it was almost painful.

What was happening? Where was I? Panic clawed at my throat as my thoughts raced, struggling to remember

The picnic. The confession. Sargon’s words, his passionate kisses, the searing euphoria of his bite

Trembling, I forced my lids to crack open once more, blinking rapidly as my vision slowly adjusted to the sheer vividness of my new sight. I was in what appeared to be a sleeping cabin aboard a ship, the gunmetal gray walls and softly blinking panels all too familiar.

Sargon’s ship.

But everything was so crisp, so sharply defined, it was almost dizzying. I could see every subtle variation in the brushed metal texture, every shifting play of light and shadow with a vivid clarity I had never before experienced.

Sounds, too, were amplified to an almost uncomfortable degree. The low thrum of the engines reverberated through me, joined by the faint creak and groan of the bulkheads as we moved through wherever we were.

A slight shift of weight on the mattress beside me made me stiffen. There, in the periphery of my newly enhanced vision, sat a figure wreathed in shadow - tall, imposing, utterly motionless.

Sargon.

Slowly, I turned my head toward him, every subtle movement feeling oddly fluid and effortless in a way that should have been alarming, yet simply felt right. Natural.

He perched on the edge of the bunk, elbows braced on his knees as he studied me with those intense, blazing red eyes. His expression was utterly inscrutable, yet the weight of his stare bored straight through me, sending a sensual frisson cascading down my body.

“Sargon,” I rasped, my voice sounding strange and resonant to my newly heightened senses.

In an instant, he was there before me, one hand cradling the back of my head as his thumb traced along my lower lip almost reverently. I shuddered at the contact, every point where his skin met mine crackling with a searing, electric heat.

“Look at you,” he murmured, his voice piercing the depths of my soul. “So fierce. So beautiful.”

I frowned, confused by the sheer awe in his tone, when the shifting of the mattress drew my attention downward. There, stark against the muted grays and blacks of the bedding, was the unmistakable blaze of vivid orange etched into the pale skin of my arm in intricate, swirling patterns.

The markings. The signs of our bonding.

I shot upright, my eyes wide as I took in the glowing, sinuous whorls adorning my flesh. They extended from my left shoulder, winding down in an intoxicating spiral before fading into a simple tracing of pigment along my fingers.

My other arm was bare, but as I raised a trembling hand to my face, I felt the unmistakable ridges of yet more markings etched into my cheek and temple.

“Oh…” The soft exhalation was the only sound I could force past my constricted throat as I stared, awestruck and disbelieving, at this irrevocable proof of the profound change I had undergone.

Of the choice I had made.

Sargon’s hands found my waist, his thumbs stroking along my sides in a soothing, anchoring caress. “I am here, Nicole,” he rumbled. “I am here.”

I tore my gaze from my newly adorned flesh to meet his piercing stare. Somewhere in the depths of those crimson pools, I saw the naked reverence, the bone-deep devotion of one who had given everything, laid himself utterly bare.

Who had bound his very essence to mine.

And in that moment, I knew without a shadow of a doubt - this was no mere symbolic ritual, no empty gesture.

This was the shape of forever, of a bond transcending the physical to intertwine our souls for all eternity.

My mate.