Page 24

Chapter Fourteen

N erx grimaced, having not wanted to think about Kyerx, not while his Britta pressed her beautiful body against his.

She squirmed, unaware of how she aroused him.

Maker. If only she knew how magnificent it had been to thrust into her, to have her beneath him, but more than that, for her to commit to him.

The bond was complete, and yet, he still ached for her.

Some part of him expected this craving to never diminish.

He inhaled her scent, relishing the brush of her cool lifeless hair across his face.

Her sex was hot where she rubbed his malehood, too tempting for him to ignore.

He gripped her hips to hold her in place, trying to still her movements.

She pushed up, rubbing herself along the length of his arousal, even as she filled his vision with her breasts.

“Nerx?” she asked, concern in her eyes.

Desperate not to discuss Kyerx, he dipped his head to capture a nipple between his lips.

She gasped but didn’t draw away. Instead, she arched into him, offering both breasts for his devotion.

Her breathy rasp of his name sank into his ears like birdsong.

She wiggled up, then, as if she had the right to, she impaled herself on his malehood.

He shuddered, savoring each inch of him she conquered.

From breast to breast, he licked a path, tasting her skin, her scent, and memorizing her flavors.

He moaned when she pulled away, sitting up.

She splayed her fingers across his chest, her gaze locked on his.

In slow motion, she swirled her hips. The sensations she invoked tore his breath from him.

He couldn’t look away, not from her face, the bounce of her swollen breasts, and the glimpse he caught of her sex as she tormented him.

Never had he seen anything as exquisite as Britta.

“Supreme Commander,” Edon’s called via the O.D.I.

Nerx tapped his wrist then gripped Britta’s hips to keep her still. “What is it?”

“Three more Viqrian battleships just arrived.”

Nerx blinked. “I am on my way.”

When Britta made to climb off him, he flipped her onto her back, instead. She squeaked, clasping his biceps.

“I am not done with you, ensa .” He caught her lips with his, then swept a tongue into her mouth as the training vids has shown. And, Maker, was he glad he’d taken the time to learn. Her taste was indescribable.

“But—”

He withdrew and thrust into her. Her eyes widened, and she moaned, hooking her legs around his hips.

She dug into his backside with her heels, urging him on.

Heat rippled over his length in a gush of liquid.

His arousal pulsed in response, sending bolts of sensations to his balls.

In and out, he pistoned, unable to slow the pace, not wanting to, and driven by the urgency of danger.

He tried not to think about the new threat but to savor this moment with his Dar Eth.

She cried out, digging her nails into him.

The sharp pain jettisoned him into a supernova of ecstasy.

He grunted with each slowing thrust as he found his fulfilment—the joy almost too much to bear.

Sucking in a ragged breath, he rested his temple on hers even as their pounding hearts aligned in beats for a few seconds.

Pulling out of her took all his strength of will.

He shivered, forced himself to stand, to put on pants and boots.

She watched him, her eyes hooded, cheeks flushed that wonderful peach color, and her lips redder than normal.

Tiny bumps ran along her skin. He tugged the blanket over her, bending to steal a kiss.

“Get some sleep,” he said as he slipped on his chest armor.

She scrambled off the bed, standing naked before him. “I’m coming with you.” She hesitated. “If I may?”

“Of course.” He grinned. “With garments on.”

“Oh.” She laughed as she ordered pants, undergarments, and footwear from the replicator.

As she covered her body with each item, tension built between his shoulders. He planned to undress in the same order. Later. If they survived the Viqrians.

“Supreme Commander, they are hailing us.”

At Edon’s voice, Nerx leaped for the door.

“Go, I’ll follow.” She flicked a dismissive hand.

He bolted. To linger would lead to more mating and would delay this further. “Patch them through,” he said the moment he entered the comm. He flicked his hair off his shoulders, wishing he’d grabbed his clip from the common.

“Supreme Commander, or so I am told.” A face appeared on the display vids. Now that he knew to expect females, the curve of her cheek, the angle of her jaw, and her delicate brow were obvious. Before, he’d assumed the regent was male for someone in a commanding rank.

Nerx was cautious, anticipating more trouble.

“Greetings.” He tapped the console to silence the comm.

“Keep hiding us behind debris,” he said to Edon.

Glancing at the Viqrian female with short hair and solid black eyes, he had to assume they were all similar in appearance.

He opened the comm. “How may I be of assistance?” He hid his grimace.

“It is I who must apologize on behalf of our empress.” The female clenched her jaw as if apologizing didn’t sit well with her.

Nerx had to agree that doing so did irritate.

“The Bronvol has gone rogue. When news reached us of your galaxy and the existence of males such as yourself, well…those opposed to our code stole a battleship…” She stiffened her shoulders.

“Forgive me, you have yet to introduce yourself.”

Her cheeks darkened. “Regent Haiz of the Kunakar .”

He nodded. “Our first contact may not have been a fortuitous one, but I am hoping your empress and my king can smooth any future interactions.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “Unfortunately, two Viqrians lost their lives in the encounter which I deeply regret.”

She bowed her head, touching two fingers to her temple. “May the goddess welcome them.”

“How do you plan to resolve this?” Nerx asked then glanced at Britta who appeared in the doorway. He held out his arm, inviting her to join him. “Especially when Primary Shioll kidnapped three of ours.”

Haiz studied Britta, running her gaze over his Dar Eth. “Well, I was planning on destroying the Bronvol , but hostages change this.” She glanced to the side. “I will send a retrieval team to free your people.”

“My thanks. My king is en route, as is an armada. And we have two of your females in a quarters. After the last incident, I am wary of opening my ship for another ‘visit.’”

“Fair enough. We shall meet on the nearest habitable planet to exchange. Again, my empress is most apologetic.”

“Once you have my people on board your ship, what then? Surely not all the crew on board the Bronvol deserve to die.” All those females lost. Not that he knew whether they were compatible with Etterians, still, the possibility was there.

A warrior female would suit any male. For their prowess, they were as respected as Lady Quinlan and Princess Oriana.

“We do not tolerate disobedience. Death or servitude is a choice each female must make. I will comm you with news as and when I receive it.” Haiz waved her hand, and the screen went black.

“May I say, wow? She’s formidable.” Britta’s smile faded. “I suppose we have to wait?”

“If we are to trust her.” Nerx glanced at Edon. “Are the signals stronger? Can you locate their positions?”

“Yes and no, I cannot confirm Lady Dahlia is close to either.” Edon typed across the console then gripped the lever to navigate around an approaching asteroid. “Matir has responded to his message, stating he is alone. Nothing from Aldur yet.”

“We cannot wait a moment longer. Summon Sena and Ziot.” After Edon did so, Nerx commanded him to draw nearer to the Bronvol . The act of doing so might make Haiz believe he trusted her.

When his males stepped into the comm, Nerx laid out his plan. “I want to hit this hard and fast. Sena, Edon will port you to Matir. Get in and get out. Ziot, you have Aldur. If Lady Dahlia is not with him, find a way to reach her.”

Ziot stiffened, tightening his hands behind his back.

“As data officer, you are the best suited to figure out their systems. If not, then try and discover where Lady Dahlia is being held before porting back…with Aldur.”

“What?” Britts snapped, pulling away from Nerx. “You’ll be leaving her alone—”

“He is imprisoned, wounded, and perhaps far from your mother.” Nerx caught Britta’s hands, holding her in place. “If she is elsewhere, she is alone and without hope.”

A tear slipped down Britta’s cheek. “I understand. Save your men…males, but tell Haiz that she only has one person to rescue.”

Nerx caught the droplet with the pad of his thumb. Helplessness cinched his chest, when all he could do was draw Britta into his embrace.

“I will do everything I can to save your mother, Lady Britta.”

At Ziot’s vow, she gave his forearm a squeeze.

“Thank you, and try not to get yourself killed.” She forced a smile. “My mother wouldn’t like it.”

“Arm yourselves,” Nerx said, pulling Britta closer and out of the way of the armory.

When they were ready, they nodded at Edon.

In the blink of an eye, they were gone.

Britta dug her nails into Nerx’s armor, tension radiating off her. He ran his hand up and down her back, hoping to convey his faith in his males and that she had nothing to worry about. Except, this could go wrong in so many ways.

“Two to port,” Sena commed.

Within moments, Matir and Sena appeared before them. Sena had thrown an arm around a bruised and battered Matir, who couldn’t stand on his own.

“Get him to the med-E.D. And well done, Sena.” Nerx gripped Matir’s forearm. “It is good to have you back, my battle-bond.”

“I have much to tell you,” Matir managed, then nodded his head at Sena to lead him away.

Again, Nerx glanced at Edon, as if he’d know what Ziot had discovered. Seconds passed at an excruciating pace, with worry darkening Britta’s eyes as time passed.