Page 18

Chapter 18

Cirdox

I stride through the corridors of the Void Reaver, my wings mantling with anticipation as I make my way to Neon’s quarters. The ship hums around me, its familiar rhythms a comforting backdrop to the primal need coursing through my veins. My mate has issued a challenge, and I intend to rise to the occasion. Her door slides open at my approach, revealing her standing in the center of the room, her tactical suit discarded in a heap at her feet. She’s clad only in a thin silk robe that does little to hide the curves beneath, her eyes gleaming with mischief and desire.

“Took you long enough, Captain,” she purrs, her voice carrying that edge of defiance that never fails to stir my blood. But there’s something else there too—a vulnerability that speaks to her need for connection, for reassurance amidst the chaos of our current situation.

I growl softly, my wings spreading wide as I step into the room, the door sliding shut behind me with a soft hiss. “You know what happens to little hackers who tease dangerous pirates?”

Her smile is pure temptation. “Why don’t you show me?”

With a swiftness born of years of combat training, I cross the room, my wings wrapping around her as I pull her against me. Her breath catches, her hands coming up to grasp my shoulders as I claim her mouth in a searing kiss. She tastes of sweet defiance and pure feminine power, a combination that never fails to drive me wild.

When we finally break apart, both breathing hard, I rest my forehead against hers, my hands cupping her face. “You are mine, Neon,” I murmur, my voice rough with need. “And I am yours. Let me remind you what that means.”

Taking her hand, I lead her through the ship, our path taking us deeper into sections she’s never seen before. The corridors grow wider, the ceilings higher, until we stand before a massive set of doors that slide open at my command.

Neon’s gasp of wonder is music to my ears as she steps into the vast hangar, her eyes widening at the sight before us. The glass dome stretches overhead, revealing the infinite expanse of space beyond, stars gleaming like diamonds against the velvet black. Below, the deck is clear, a perfect stage for what I have in mind.

“Cirdox,” she breathes, her voice filled with awe. “This is... incredible.”

I turn to her, my wings spreading wide as I take her hands in mine. “This is where I come to remember why we fight,” I say softly. “The stars remind me that there’s always something worth fighting for. And now, you remind me of that every day.”

Her eyes shine with unshed tears as she looks up at me, her fingers tightening around mine. “Show me,” she whispers. “Show me what it means to be yours.”

With a gentle tug, I pull her into my arms, my wings wrapping around us both as I claim her mouth once more. This kiss is slower, deeper, a promise of the connection we share. Her hands roam over my chest, tracing the patterns of my tribal markings, each touch sending sparks of pleasure through me.

I break the kiss only long enough to shed my own clothing, leaving me standing before her in nothing but the glow of my markings and the starlight filtering through the dome above. Her eyes roam over me, her gaze lingering on the evidence of my desire for her, before she reaches out to trace the length of me with delicate fingers.

A growl rumbles deep in my chest as I capture her wrist, bringing her hand to my mouth so I can press a kiss to her palm. “Not yet, little hacker,” I murmur against her skin. “First, let me show you what these wings are truly for.”

Before she can react, I scoop her into my arms, my wings beating strongly as I lift us both from the deck. Her gasp of surprise turns into a laugh of pure delight as we soar upward, the air rushing around us as I carry her higher, closer to the stars.

“Gods,” she gasps, clinging tighter as the vast expanse of space stretches endlessly around us. “I never knew flying could feel like this.”

I chuckle, my heart swelling with pride and love for this incredible woman in my arms. “And we’re just getting started.”

With a shift of my wings, I change our trajectory, sending us spiraling through the air in a dance that’s part flight, part courtship display. Neon’s laughter rings out, her eyes shining with joy and exhilaration as she clings to me, her trust in my strength absolute.

As we reach the apex of our flight, I pause, holding us suspended in the air beneath the starlit dome. Neon’s breath comes in quick gasps, her cheeks flushed with excitement and desire. Slowly, I let us drift downward, my wings beating lazily as I bring us back toward the deck.

But this time, when our feet touch the ground, I don’t release her. Instead, I lay her gently on the cool metal, my body covering hers as I claim her mouth once more. She responds instantly, her legs wrapping around my waist as she pulls me closer, her need matching my own.

I trail kisses down her throat, lingering over the claiming marks that bind us together. Each press of my lips to her skin sends a shiver through her, her body arching up to meet mine. I can feel the heat of her, the scent of her desire wrapping around me like a drug, urging me on.

My hands roam over her body, exploring every curve and hollow, committing each to memory. She’s so soft, so delicate, yet so strong—a contradiction that never fails to captivate me. I want to learn every inch of her, to know her body as well as I know my own.

As I reach the juncture of her thighs, I pause, looking up at her with a wicked smile. “And now, little hacker,” I murmur, my voice rough with need, “let me show you what these wings can really do.”

With a swift movement, I spread my wings wide, using the powerful muscles of my back to lift her hips from the deck. She gasps, her eyes widening as she realizes what I intend. But there’s no fear in her gaze—only desire and trust.

I position myself at her entrance, the head of my cock nudging against her slick folds. She’s ready for me, her body welcoming as I slide into her with a single, smooth thrust. Her cry of pleasure echoes through the hangar, her inner walls clenching around me as I fill her completely.

And then, with a beat of my wings, I lift us both from the deck, my body still joined with hers as we soar upward once more. Her cry of surprise turns into a moan of pure ecstasy as I begin to move within her, each thrust timed to the beat of my wings.

We spiral through the air, our bodies joined as one, the sensation of flight amplifying every touch, every kiss. Neon clings to me, her nails digging into my shoulders as she meets each thrust with eager desperation. The connection between us pulses with shared pleasure, each sensation echoing through both of us, building higher and higher.

I can feel her orgasm building, her body tensing around me as she nears the peak. With a final, powerful beat of my wings, I drive us both over the edge, her cry of release echoing through the hangar as my own climax rips through me.

For a moment, we hang suspended in the air, our bodies still joined, our breaths mingling as we come down from the heights of ecstasy. Then, gently, I bring us back to the deck, my wings wrapping around us both as I cradle her against my chest.

“That,” she grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “was almost as good as hacking the STI mainframe. Almost.”

I chuckle, a low rumble that vibrates through both of us. “Almost? Well, my cheeky little hacker, I think my cock would beg to differ. It’s ready to show you just how much more it can offer.”

I press a kiss to her forehead, my heart swelling with a mix of love and primal desire. Neon looks up at me, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the starry glass dome around us. The air is cool, but her body radiates warmth, drawing me in like a moth to a flame.

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, my voice barely a whisper as I trace the line of her jaw with my fingertips. Her skin is soft, inviting, and I can feel the hum of our bond pulsing beneath the surface, a constant reminder of our connection.

She reaches up, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulls me down into a deeper kiss. Our lips meet, and it’s like the universe aligns, every star and planet falling into perfect harmony. Her taste is intoxicating, a mix of sweetness and heat that sends electricity coursing through my veins.

I deepen the kiss, my tongue exploring her mouth with a hunger that matches the burning in my eyes. Her hands roam over my chest, her touch sending shivers of pleasure through me. I can feel her desire, her need, mirroring my own. Breaking the kiss, I trail my lips down her neck, my fangs grazing her skin, sending jolts of electricity straight to her core. Her breath hitches, and I can feel her heart racing against my chest. I move lower, my wings unfurling to create a cocoon of privacy around us.

“Cirdox,” she whispers, her voice a mix of pleasure and need.

“Tell me what you need, little hacker,” I growl, my voice rough with desire as I meet her gaze. The sight of her beneath me, eyes dark with passion, makes my markings pulse brighter. In that moment, I know she’s mine, completely and irrevocably.

I continue to stroke her with my fingers, feeling her wetness and the way her body responds to my touch. Her breath hitches as I bring her closer to the edge, her hips moving in rhythm with my hand. As she nears the peak, I rise up, positioning myself at her entrance. Her eyes meet mine, filled with a desire so intense it takes my breath away. I enter her slowly, savoring the feeling of her body yielding to mine, the sensation of our souls entwining.

Her breath catches as I fill her completely, her inner muscles clenching around me. The bond between us flares brighter, amplifying every sensation. I begin to move, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through both of us. Her nails dig into my back, urging me deeper, harder.

“Cirdox,” she gasps, her voice a mix of pleasure and desperation.

“Yes, my fierce one,” I purr against her throat, my wings mantling with possessive need. “Let me feel you come apart for me.” I can feel her orgasm building, the tension in her body coiling tighter and tighter. I increase my pace, driving us both toward the inevitable climax.

Her body arches against mine, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. “Neon,” I growl, my voice low and possessive. “Come for me, little hacker. Let me feel you.”

As we climb higher, I lean down, my fangs finding the juncture where her neck meets her shoulder. The bite is sharp, but it only serves to heighten the pleasure, sending us both spiraling over the edge. With a cry, she reaches her peak, her body convulsing around me as her orgasm rips through her. The sensation sends me over the edge, my own release exploding within her.

I collapse on top of her, my wings enfolding us in a cocoon of warmth and safety. Her heart beats against mine, our breaths mingling as we come down from the high. “You are my heart, Neon,” I whisper, my voice rough with emotion. “My soul, my sanctuary. You are the stars that guide me through the darkest void, the flame that burns away all doubt. You are mine, completely and eternally.”

Later, back in my quarters, I watch Neon curled in my wing’s embrace as she accesses data through her neural implants. The intimate glow of her tech meshes perfectly with my tribal markings, creating an ethereal dance of light and shadow across the walls. She’s pulled on one of my shirts, the fabric draping off one shoulder to reveal some of my claiming marks. The sight stirs possessive pride, but it’s her fierce concentration that truly captivates me—the way her brilliant mind works in perfect harmony with her enhanced systems, processing data streams with an efficiency that matches my centuries of tactical experience.

“K’vex’s communications are too clean,” she murmurs, eyes distant as she navigates virtual pathways invisible to others. Her fingers tap against my chest absently, unconsciously seeking connection even while deep in her work. Through our bond, I feel the sharp edges of her suspicion. “Every transmission perfectly formatted, routed through exactly the right channels. It’s like she’s following a manual on how to avoid detection.”

I run my fingers through her hair, savoring how she unconsciously leans into my touch while maintaining her focus. Our bond hums with shared purpose—her technical brilliance complementing my strategic insight in ways that make us formidable together. “Almost as if someone gave her that manual?” The implications are troubling. K’vex’s recent behavior, combined with her suspicious questions about security protocols, paints an increasingly damning picture.

“Exactly.” Neon’s neural implants pulse faster as she dives deeper into the encryption, her mind moving with the same predatory grace I bring to combat. “Normal communications have irregularities, personal quirks. These are too perfect.” She projects a holographic timeline into the air between us, her fingers dancing through the data with practiced precision. “And look at the timing... Each transmission coincides perfectly with Eclipse movements in the outer sectors.”

I study the pattern, centuries of tactical experience merging with her technical analysis. Where she sees code anomalies, I recognize battle formations. Where I spot strategic weaknesses, she finds system vulnerabilities. Together, we build a complete picture that neither could fully grasp alone. “She’s feeding them our positions. Using Brotherhood patrols as cover to coordinate attacks.” My wings curl tighter around Neon as anger rises. “How many of our people has she betrayed?”

“Too many.” Neon’s voice carries that dangerous edge I’ve come to recognize—the same tone I use when preparing for battle. Her fingers trace one of my tribal markings absently, our bond thrumming with shared determination. “But we can’t move against her directly. Not yet.” She looks up at me, her enhanced eyes meeting mine with perfect understanding. “We need proof that will stand up to Brotherhood scrutiny. And we need to know who else is involved.”

I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm, feeling how our strengths align like perfectly calibrated weapons. “You have a plan.”

Her answering smile is sharp as a blade, matching my own predatory instincts. “McCoy’s been tracking financial irregularities through the diplomatic corps. If we can link those to K’vex’s transmissions...” She activates her comm with a thought, her neural commands as precise as my wing strikes in combat. McCoy’s hologram materializes beside the bed.

The officer takes in our intimate position with professional detachment. “I take it you’ve found something?”

“Sending you the encryption patterns now,” Neon confirms, her fingers moving through virtual interfaces while I provide tactical context through our bond. “Cross-reference them with Ta’vag’s financial data. Look for any matches in timing or routing protocols.”

McCoy nods, her stern features tight with concentration. “I’ll have my team start immediately. Ta’vag has already positioned diplomatic resources to provide cover if needed.”

“Good.” I feel Neon’s satisfaction through our bond, her strategic mind already mapping contingencies. “We’ll need legitimate channels when this breaks open. The Brotherhood won’t be able to ignore evidence from multiple sources.”

“Just be careful,” McCoy warns. “K’vex isn’t working alone. Push too hard too fast, and we’ll lose any chance of identifying her network.”

After McCoy’s hologram fades, Neon turns in my embrace, her expression serious. The glow of her implants mingles with my tribal markings, a physical manifestation of how perfectly we complement each other. “We’re going to have to move soon. The Eclipse is planning something big, and K’vex is their key to making it happen.”

The ship’s chrono chimes softly, marking the start of third shift. Neon stretches against me before reluctantly pulling away. “I should analyze these encryption patterns more thoroughly. Meet you in your office in twenty?”

I press a kiss to her temple, savoring her warmth one last moment before duty calls. “Don’t get too lost in the data streams, little hacker.”

Her answering smile carries that fierce determination I’ve come to cherish. “No promises. But I’ll find what we need.”