Page 27

NEON VALKYRIE

3 Months Later

The air in the Morcrest luminore mine hangs thick and heavy, a metallic tang mixing with the dust kicked up by our boots. My implants thrum beneath my skin, a low, steady pulse echoing the rhythmic clang of pickaxes against rock. It’s a surprisingly comforting sound, a stark contrast to the shriek of alarms and the roar of blasters that have been the soundtrack to my life for the past few cycles. The soft, ethereal glow of the luminore veins crisscrossing the cavern walls paints the rough-hewn rock in shades of otherworldly blue and violet, transforming the industrial space into something almost magical.

“Three point seven karats per ton,” I murmur, my fingers flying across the datapad, analyzing the latest yield reports. “Not bad. Better than the projections.”

“These Morcrestians are efficient,” Cirdox rumbles beside me, his voice a low, resonant sound that seems to vibrate through the very rock beneath our feet. His wing brushes against mine, a casual intimacy that sends a shiver down my spine. The bond thrums between us, a steady current of warmth and affection, a silent conversation that weaves through the dust and noise of the mine. It’s strange, this sense of peace, of belonging, in a place that once represented everything I fought against.

Across the table, Droilin, High Chieftain of Morcrest, grunts in agreement, his tusks gleaming in the luminore’s otherworldly light. “My people know the value of hard work. And the importance of reciprocity.” His gaze meets mine, a flicker of respect, perhaps even gratitude, in his usually stoic eyes. It’s a long way from the distrustful glare he’d given me when we first arrived on Morcrest. A lot can change in a few cycles.

Tasha, her hair pulled back in a practical braid, leans forward, her gaze sharp and assessing. “The transport routes are secure,” she confirms, her voice carrying the authority of a leader who’s earned her position. “The Brotherhood will deliver the luminore to the designated medical facilities within the agreed-upon timeframe.”

I nod, my gaze meeting hers. “We’ll ensure its safe arrival. No more Eclipse interference. No more artificial shortages.”

Tasha’s lips curve into a wry smile. “I appreciate the reassurance, Neon Valkyrie. Though I suspect the Eclipse is more preoccupied with rebuilding their shattered reputation than with intercepting luminore shipments for now.” There’s a hint of steel in her voice.

Droilin clears his throat, his gaze shifting to Cirdox. “The Morcrestian people are grateful for your assistance, Captain Thar’Kal. You and your mate have proven to be valuable allies.”

The luminore mines cast an eerie blue glow across the chamber, the light catching on Droilin’s tusks as he studies the proposed trade agreement. My neural implants spark faintly, still sensitive after the Eclipse’s torture, but they catch the subtle shifts in his expression—the way his jaw tightens, the calculating gleam in his eyes.

Cirdox’s wing brushes mine beneath the table, a silent sign of support that sends warmth through our bond. His markings pulse with carefully controlled intensity, betraying the tension he’s masking behind his diplomatic facade. We both know how much rides on this partnership.

“These terms,” Droilin rumbles, his massive fingers tracing the datapad’s glowing text, “they protect my people’s interests?” There’s an edge to his question, centuries of exploitation making him rightfully wary of outsiders seeking Morcrest’s precious resource.

“The Brotherhood will ensure fair distribution,” Cirdox answers, his deep voice carrying the weight of personal honor. “No more black market manipulation. No more artificial shortages from the STI. The luminore reaches medical facilities based on need, not political favors.”

I lean forward, my implants interfacing smoothly with the chamber’s systems to project detailed supply chain analytics. “We’ve integrated failsafes,” I explain, highlighting key security protocols. “Multiple verification layers, decentralized oversight. Even if someone wanted to abuse the system, they couldn’t without triggering immediate alerts.”

Tasha steps closer to examine my projections, her engineer’s mind automatically seeking out the mechanical weak points in the security system—access panels, maintenance hatches, physical vulnerabilities that could be exploited. A small smile plays at her lips as she recognizes how I’ve incorporated her knowledge of ship systems into my digital infiltration plan.

“The Brotherhood’s reputation has changed under your leadership,” Droilin acknowledges, his gaze shifting between Cirdox and me. “But trust, once broken, is not easily rebuilt.”

“Which is why we’re offering full transparency,” I counter, bringing up another overlay. “Real-time tracking, joint oversight committees, profit-sharing structures that benefit Morcrest’s development programs. This isn’t just a trade deal—it’s a true partnership.”

Droilin’s expression softens almost imperceptibly as he glances at Tasha. She gives him a slight nod, and some of the tension leaves his massive shoulders.

“Very well,” he rumbles, pressing his palm to the authentication panel. “Let us forge this new path together.” A genuine smile breaks across his fierce features. “And what better way to cement our partnership than with a proper Morcrestian celebration? The mines have not seen such festivities since before Garrox’s tyranny.”

Tasha approaches as the others begin discussing logistics, her eyes bright with triumph. “Look at them,” she whispers, nodding toward our respective mates with fond exasperation. “All that muscle and military strategy, and it still took us to create a solution that actually works.”

I can’t help but grin, watching Cirdox and Droilin shake arms in the traditional warrior’s grip. “Someone has to be the brains of the operation.”

Her eyes light up with that familiar engineer’s gleam. “Speaking of operations, I can’t wait to see the Void Reaver’s engine room. It’s been”—she pauses, a knowing smirk playing at her lips—”well, quite a while since I’ve been allowed near a ship’s core. Not since that whole unfortunate explosion incident that got me exiled.” She winks, both of us well aware that her sabotage conviction had been nothing but Garrox’s lies.

She squeezes my shoulder before heading toward the door where Droilin waits for her. “I’ll start the party preparations. Just wait until you see what a real Morcrestian celebration looks like.”

The bond hums with satisfaction as Cirdox returns to my side, his wing curling protectively around me. “You did it, little hacker,” he murmurs, pride and love radiating through our connection. “You’ve helped create something unprecedented.”

I lean into his warmth, watching the luminore’s glow paint ethereal patterns across his tribal markings. My neural implants hum in harmony with our bond, creating a symphony of connection that still takes my breath away.

“We’re quite the team, aren’t we?” I murmur, letting my fingers trace the edge of a marking that pulses brighter at my touch. The gesture carries all the weight of what we’ve achieved—not just survival, but a future neither of us could have imagined alone.

“The most dangerous in the quadrant,” he rumbles, his eyes dancing with mischief as he draws me closer. “A fierce little hacker who can crash systems with a thought, and the most handsome Kyvernian captain in the Brotherhood. The Eclipse never stood a chance.”

His smile outshines even the luminore’s brilliance as his wings create a private sanctuary around us. In this moment, wrapped in his strength and surrounded by the evidence of our shared victory, I finally understand what it means to be truly home.

The rhythmic clang of the pickaxes fades into the background, replaced by the steady thrum of the mine’s ventilation system, a subtle white noise that amplifies the sudden, charged silence between us. The luminore’s glow intensifies, casting an ethereal, almost otherworldly light on Cirdox’s face, highlighting the sharp angles of his cheekbones, the intensity of his gaze. His wings shift slightly, the leathery membranes brushing against my back, sending a wave of heat through my body.

“You know what I want to do right now?” I whisper, my voice barely audible above the hum of the ventilation system, the words laced with a playful challenge, a subtle invitation.

A slow smile spreads across his lips, a predatory gleam in his red eyes that makes my heart pound against my ribs. “What’s that, little hacker?” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me, igniting a fire in my core.

“I want to celebrate our victory,” I reply, my gaze meeting his with a mix of mischief and heat. “Just you and me.” My fingers trace the lines of his tribal markings, delighting in the way they pulse brighter at my touch. “Though first...” I reach over and tap the door controls, engaging the privacy locks with a satisfying click. “Can’t have Zara barging in with another ‘urgent’ report.”

Cirdox’s deep chuckle rumbles through his chest as his wings curl around us, creating an intimate cocoon. “Wise decision, little hacker. Last time she interrupted, I nearly put claw marks through the console.”

“We can’t have that,” I tease, pressing closer as his markings flare with growing intensity. “Think of the repair costs.” My hands continue their exploration, mapping the landscape of his powerful form as the bond between us hums with shared anticipation. “Now, where were we?”

Cirdox’s eyes darken with a desire that mirrors my own, and his arms wrap around me, pulling me close. The warmth of his body presses against mine, and his wings envelop us, creating a cocoon of privacy and intimacy. The mine, with its echoing walls and glowing luminore veins, fades away, leaving only the two of us in this moment.

“You feel incredible,” he whispers, his voice rough with desire as his hands explore my body with a reverent touch. Each caress sends waves of pleasure through me, and I arch into him, my fingers tracing the lines of his tribal markings, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my touch.

“And you feel like home,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper as I lose myself in the sensation of his touch. Our connection deepens, the bond between us amplifying every sensation, every emotion. It’s not just physical pleasure; it’s a deep, spiritual connection that binds us together.

Our clothes fall away, discarded in the rush of our passion. Cirdox’s hands move with practiced grace, each touch igniting a fire in my core. I explore his body in return, my fingers tracing the lines of his muscles, feeling the strength and power that lies beneath his skin.

“You drive me wild, little hacker,” he murmurs, his voice rough with desire. Then softer, more intimate: “My Lyra.” The use of my birth name sends shivers down my spine—he’s the only one I allow to speak it, the only one who makes it sound like a prayer rather than just a name. In his mouth, it becomes sacred, a reminder of the trust and love we share. His lips find mine in a fierce, passionate kiss that leaves me breathless and aching for more.

His hands roam over my body, leaving a trail of fiery sensation in their wake. He cups my breasts, his thumbs circling my nipples, drawing out a gasp from deep within me. I arch into his touch, my body craving more of him. He trails kisses down my neck, his mouth hot and demanding, before capturing one of my nipples between his lips, sucking and nipping until I’m writhing beneath him.

My own hands are not idle; I explore every inch of him, my fingers tracing the lines of his muscles, feeling the strength and power that lies beneath his skin. I kiss his chest, tasting the slight saltiness of his skin, feeling the heat of his body against mine. His wings unfurl, their leathery texture brushing against my skin, adding another layer of sensation to our connection.

I slide my hands down his body, feeling the hard planes of his abdomen, before wrapping my fingers around his length. He groans, his head falling back as I stroke him, feeling him grow harder in my grasp. The sight of him, so vulnerable and so powerful at the same time, sends a surge of desire through me.

“Lyra,” he breathes, his voice a low rumble filled with need. He pulls me closer, his hands gripping my hips as he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his waist, feeling him press against my entrance. With one smooth thrust, he enters me, filling me completely.

We move together desperately, skin against skin, need driving every touch. His hands grip my hips hard enough to bruise as he claims me. I dig my nails into his shoulders, wanting to mark him, to prove this is real. The mine’s luminore casts harsh shadows across our bodies, turning sweat-slicked skin to liquid gold. The rough stone wall scrapes my back as he drives into me again and again, but I don’t care—I need him closer, deeper, more. Our gasps and moans bounce off the cavern walls, raw and unrestrained.

Every thrust sends waves of pleasure coursing through me, and I cling to him, my nails digging into his shoulders. His wings flare out, enveloping us in a cocoon of warmth and protection. Our bond flares with each movement, amplifying the sensations until I can barely think, barely breathe.

I feel the tension building within me, the delicious ache growing with each thrust, each touch. Cirdox’s eyes never leave mine, his gaze filled with love and desire. His hands roam over my body, touching me, caressing me, driving me higher and higher until I’m on the brink.

“Cirdox,” I gasp, my voice filled with urgency. He knows what I need, and he gives it to me. His fingers find the sensitive bundle of nerves at my core, circling and pressing until I’m spiraling over the edge. My climax hits me like a wave, crashing over me, leaving me shaking and gasping for breath.

He follows me over the edge, his body tensing as he spills himself inside me. Our bond flares with a brilliance that outshines even the glow of the luminore. We are one, in body, in spirit, in love. The future stretches before us, filled with promise and possibility, and we stand ready to face it together.

In the aftermath, we lie entwined, our bodies still glowing with the remnants of our passion. Cirdox’s wings envelop us, a protective shield against the world, a symbol of our unity and love. Through the walls, I can hear the growing sounds of celebration—Zara’s distinctive laugh, Grig’s melodic voice raised in what sounds suspiciously like a traditional Muspel victory song.

“I love you, Cirdox,” I whisper, my voice filled with a profound sense of peace and contentment.

“I love you, Lyra,” he replies, his voice echoing with the same deep, unwavering emotion. His tribal markings pulse softly as another burst of laughter filters through from the common area. “Though it seems our crew is rather impatient to celebrate our return.”

“Can you blame them?” I trace the glowing patterns on his chest, smiling as they brighten under my touch. “We did just help take down a major Eclipse operation.”

“Plus, I hear someone threatened to sedate half the medical staff when they tried to keep him away from me.”

His wings tighten around me playfully. “Only half?” He presses a kiss to my temple as the sounds of celebration grow louder—the crew toasting our successful luminore delivery to the outer colonies. “The Brotherhood’s reputation is improving now that we’re officially sanctioned to transport luminore supplies to medical facilities.”

“Look at us, becoming almost respectable,” I tease, tracing one of his tribal markings.

He laughs, a deep rumble that vibrates through his chest. “We’re still pirates, little hacker,” he says with a wink that makes my heart skip. “Luminore isn’t the only valuable cargo we salvage. Though perhaps we’re more selective these days about whose ships we target.”

“Five more minutes won’t hurt,” Cirdox rumbles, his wings tightening around me as his tribal markings pulse with contentment. “We should probably make an appearance before they come looking for us. I hear Zara’s breaking out her private reserve to celebrate our first official sanctioned run.”

I snuggle closer, savoring one more moment of perfect peace. “Five more minutes,” I murmur against his chest. “They can wait that long to see their captain.”

His answering chuckle rumbles through me like distant thunder. “ As my mate commands. ”