CONQUEROR

GALACTIC KINGS #4

ANNA HACKETT

Conqueror

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2022 by Anna Hackett

Cover by Julie Nicholls - Covers by Julie

Edits by Tanya Saari

ISBN (ebook): 978-1-922414-70-0

ISBN (paperback): 978-1-922414-71-7

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, events or places is coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form.

CONTENTS

What readers are saying about Anna’s romances

Anna Hackett Box Set

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Preview: Gladiator

Preview: Eon Warriors

Also by Anna Hackett

About the Author

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ANNA’S ROMANCES

The Powerbroker - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) winner 2022

Heart of Eon - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) winner 2020

Cyborg - PRISM Award Winner 2019

Edge of Eon and Mission: Her Protection - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) finalists 2019

Unfathomed and Unmapped - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) finalists 2018

Unexplored – Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) Novella Winner 2017

Return to Dark Earth – One of Library Journal’s Best E-Original Books for 2015 and two-time SFR Galaxy Awards winner

At Star’s End – One of Library Journal’s Best E-Original Romances for 2014

The Phoenix Adventures – SFR Galaxy Award Winner for Most Fun New Series and “Why Isn’t This a Movie?” Series

Hell Squad – SFR Galaxy Award for best Post-Apocalypse for Readers who don’t like Post-Apocalypse

“Like Indiana Jones meets Star Wars. A treasure hunt with a steamy romance.” – SFF Dragon, review of Among Galactic Ruins

“Action, danger, aliens, romance – yup, it’s another great book from Anna Hackett!” – Book Gannet Reviews, review of Hell Squad: Marcus

Sign up for my VIP mailing list and get your free box set containing three action-packed romances.

Click here to get started: www.annahackett.com

CHAPTER ONE

The night air was cold on her skin.

Evie Mason liked it. She liked that she could feel something other than anger.

She liked that it took her mind off the nightmares.

Her muscles tensed, images trying to push through her brain.

No. The nightmares had taken enough from her tonight. She was not thinking about them.

Instead, she thought of all the things she missed. Rock music, ice-cold Heineken beer on a hot day, Reese’s peanut butter cups. Mmm, nothing went together like peanuts and chocolate.

The snow-covered grass of the palace gardens crunched under her feet. A dusting of the tiny flakes had fallen earlier, covering everything in a glittery, otherworldly shimmer.

She was in a palace.

She looked back over her shoulder at the stone structure built into the mountainside. The ebony rock was threaded with gold veins, and had been carved into buildings that looked both strong and elegant. Like something out of a dark fairytale.

She was just a regular woman from Earth in a freaking alien palace.

Her gaze shifted upward to the unfamiliar groupings of stars in the night sky overhead.

Her belly coiled into tight knots.

She was a long, long way from Earth.

Yep, no peanut butter cups around here.

Evie sucked in a deep breath, trying to push through the tightness in her chest. The cool night air chilled her skin. Her white nightgown and light sandals were too flimsy for the wintry night, but she didn’t care. She wanted the bite of the cold. She wanted the pain.

She squeezed her eyes closed and pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers.

She was not going to fall apart.

“I am Evie Mason. I am Evie Mason.” It was a furious whisper. One she’d been repeating every day, over and over, for the last two years.

For two years she’d been nothing. A prisoner. A test subject. A thing.

She’d had to fight to remember who she was, every second of every day.

Sometimes, it all felt like a bad dream. From the day the exploration ship she’d been the logistics manager on had been attacked by aliens, outside of contact range with the Jupiter space station where they’d been based, she’d been living a nightmare.

Everyone aboard had died, except her.

She’d ended up in a cell. Sold.

Then she’d fallen into the hands of the Sarkans and their dirty, evil Zhylaw scientists.

A muscle ticked in her jaw. She breathed deeply again, her hands balling into fists.

Two years. Two years she lived in a cell aboard the Abiosis science space station.

There had been so much pain and suffering.

The head Zhylaw scientist, Naberius, had taken her blood constantly. He’d poked holes in her, hooked her up to machines. He’d used her blood to create his abominations in his lab. Wild, horrifying creatures.

Rage welled inside her. It lived and breathed there, and refused to go away.

She released a sharp breath. “Yeah, well, Naberius is dead.”

She’d helped kill him herself. And she wasn’t a little bit sorry about it.

Power trickled along her veins. She felt it pulse inside her.

No.

“I am Evie Mason.” Another desperate breath. She tried to wrestle with the rising energy.

I don’t want you. Just leave me alone.

The molten rage and the power didn’t cool, but they receded.

Like a monster sliding back into the swamp.

She rolled her eyes. Her brain was extra overactive tonight. But glad to feel a little normal once more, she started walking again.

Not that her new powers would stay dormant for long. She rubbed the center of her chest. Naberius had changed her.

Evie would give anything to be normal, but like going back to Earth, she was terrified that it was an impossibility.

Gritting her teeth, she lifted her chin. The hedges in the garden were well-maintained, and she could smell something pretty, flowering somewhere. Fascinating stone sculptures dotted the grounds.

Most of them were just abstract hunks of rock carved into interesting shapes.

She turned a corner and almost ran into one. It reared over her like a giant beast.

Her vision blurred and her nightmares came rushing back.

Shadows. Pain. A strange red glow. A throb of energy. Terror.

“Jesus.” Her chin fell to her chest, and she dug her fingernails into her thighs. She fought the images back.

The bad dreams had been strong tonight, wrenching her from her light sleep. Just strange, half-formed images that flashed in her head. Some had been Naberius, the faces of the scientists, the lab workbenches, and the blood-soaked straps.

No. Fuck that. She was free.

She’d been rescued by enemies of the Sarkans.

She looked into the night sky again.

She was now on a planet called Taln in the Sarkany System. She was on the other side of the galaxy to Earth.

Her belly did a terrible swirl. She was too far away to ever go home.

That anger inside her churned again, twining with her new, unwanted abilities. It felt like something alive inside her that wanted, no needed, to be set free.

Gritting her teeth, she kept walking across the grass. The statues changed from abstract pieces to men and women.

They were all humanoid. Talnians. Apparently an advanced alien race—the Creators—had seeded the systems of the galaxy with life a long, long time ago. So, all the species across the Milky Way came from similar breeding stock. She paused in front of one statue carved from dense black rock, crisscrossed with gold veins. It was of a tall woman in a long dress, a delicate crown on her head. Some Talnian queen of old.

Evie stroked a line of gold in the rock. Beautiful.

The hedges opened up to garden beds. Even though it was cool and snowy, flowers that had adapted to the colder climate bloomed. Sweet, floral scents filled the air.

Then she rounded some bushes and gasped.

The view of the city of Gearma was breathtaking.

The snow-capped mountains were stunning, with sharp, jagged peaks that caught the eye. The buildings of the city sprinkled down the hillsides to the valley below, clinging to cliff faces, and glowing with golden light.

She now knew Gearma was the capital of Taln, where the planet’s king—Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany—ruled.

The wind caught her hair. She was supposed to leave for the neighboring planet of Zhalto soon. Shockingly, there were two other human women from Earth here in the Sarkany System. Mal West and Poppy Ellison had been testing an experimental starship when they’d been flung through a wormhole and found themselves on the other side of the galaxy.

Mal now lived on the planet Zhalto, and was in love with Zhalto’s overlord, Rhain Sarkany.

Evie let out a breath. Sometimes it was all too much to take in.

Poppy was living on the planet Damar, a forest world filled with alien wolf shapeshifters, and she was now mated to the emperor, Brodin Sarkany.

The women had survived, fallen in love, and found a place to belong.

Evie didn’t belong anywhere.

Hell, she never had. She was just the poor girl, with no mother, who’d never fit anywhere.

She heard a noise.

She turned her head, staring through the dark garden. Was someone else out here?

Moving silently, she slipped through the vegetation.

Then she stumbled to a halt.

The man stood on a large, square stone platform. It had four pillars in the corners, but no roof. The pillars glowed dully, giving off a low, gold light. There was no snow on the platform, and the man had his back to her.

She sucked in a breath.

He wore fitted, black pants, and that was it. Her gaze snagged on the broad expanse of muscled back, covered in bronze skin.

Supple, corded muscles moved and flexed. He was a strong, muscular man in his prime. He stepped, swiveled, and lunged, slashing a hand through the air.

It looked like some sort of badass tai chi.

He jumped and kicked, and her belly clenched in a different way.

Oh, God. Heat flashed inside her. It was the first time she’d felt desire in two years.

Of all the people to spark it, it had to be this man.

It was very clear he was a warrior. He turned and she saw the sharp angles of his handsome face. His black hair was cut short, and in the faint glow from the stone, she saw a glimmer of gold reflecting off his eyes.

Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany.

He leaped again, all strength, control, and power.

For the first time in eternity, Evie felt more than fear or anger.

She felt hot, liquid desire.

Her hands clenched in her gown.

No harm in looking at the attractive, alien king, Evie. But that was all, just looking.

Sitting on the platform around Graylan were several rocks of different sizes, all somewhere between the size of a baseball and basketball.

She frowned. It looked like something bigger had been smashed into pieces.

Then Graylan planted his feet and raised his arms.

Raw power radiated off him.

His focused gaze was on the rocks, and she had a chance to take in that arresting face. He emanated an intensity that made the hairs on her arms rise.

She shivered.

The rocks rose into the air, hanging there for a second. She swallowed a gasp.

Then the rocks started to whirl around in a vertical circle.

All her muscles froze. There was a crackling throb of energy in the air.

Graylan moved his hands and the rocks moved, doing his bidding.

Wow.

Mal and Poppy had told her a little about the history of the Sarkany System. There was a red giant sun with five planets: Andret, Zhalto, Damar, Taln, and Sarkan.

Several centuries ago, a giant solar flare had ripped through the system, affecting all the inhabitants.

Andret, closest to the sun, had been destroyed and was now just a hunk of rock. The Zhaltons had developed abilities to manipulate the magnetic energy field of their planet. They were powerful warriors with deadly abilities. The Damari had been affected differently—becoming wolf-like shapeshifters—fast, wild, and dangerous. The Talnians could wield the geological forces of their planet, and command the rocks, the dirt, the water, and apparently even cause earthquakes.

The Sarkans had been out of range of the full effect of the flare. They hadn’t developed any powers, and instead had become warmongers. They used advanced technology to create weapons to gain an advantage.

The leader of Sarkan was King Zavir, and he was trying to take over all of the system.

The kings of the other planets were allied in the fight to beat him.

He was also their father.

Zavir. Her throat tightened. She’d never met him in person, but he was the one who’d funded and ordered the scientists on the Abisos space station to do their work. He was the one who’d allowed Naberius to treat her like a lab rat.

He was to blame for her captivity, and the suffering of so many.

On the platform, the rocks whirled, shifting to spin around Graylan’s body.

Incredible. She took a step forward.

Suddenly, his head lifted, and his gold gaze met hers.

All that contained power…she fought a shiver.

He was good to look at, but she knew he was used to being in charge and giving orders.

Everyone jumped for him.

And Evie was done obeying anybody.

The rocks stopped, hanging in the air.

What would happen if he ever let all that control loose?

Then the rocks lowered gently to the platform, and he straightened.

“You shouldn’t be out here, Evie.”

GRAYLAN WATCHED the woman from Earth walk out of the darkness.

He scowled. She wasn’t dressed for the cold. The light nightgown that swished around her small, curvy body was thin.

Her dark hair was choppily cut. No doubt done by herself, since she’d been in captivity. But it bared her slender neck. It made him wonder what it would feel like to curl his hand around it, to feel the smoothness of her skin.

He clamped down on that thought.

Instead, anger coiled inside him. She was so small, almost delicate, and the idea of her being caged and abused had his control cracking.

His power stirred, but he leashed it ruthlessly.

She had pale skin that might tan in the sun, given the chance. She was short by Talnian standards, with curves, and pale-green eyes.

Eyes that stared at him now, filled with defiance.

It made Gray want to smile.

Naberius hadn’t broken her.

“You said I wasn’t a prisoner,” she snapped. “I’m done staying locked up where people put me.”

“I meant that it’s cold, and you don’t have a coat.”

She hesitated. “Oh. I don’t mind the cold. I haven’t felt it for a long time. It doesn’t get cold on a climate-controlled space station.” She paused. “It feels good, even if it hurts a little.” Then her gaze moved to the rocks at his feet. “What are you doing?”

“It’s an exercise to channel and control my power.” He waved for her to join him.

She rolled her eyes.

“What?” he asked.

“Just an imperious wave. No, ‘won’t you join me, Evie?’” She stomped up the steps.

Gray cocked his head. “I make a habit of being efficient.”

She snorted. “You’re just so used to giving orders with a wave, you don’t even realize it.”

“I don’t issue orders all the time.”

She rolled her eyes again.

“You roll those pretty green eyes any harder, and they’ll fall out.”

She glanced at him, then looked down. “Oh, the stone floor’s heated. That’s why there’s no snow and why—” her gaze moved to his chest “— you don’t have a shirt on.”

He felt her gaze like a touch, and his muscles tightened. He saw her eye his abdomen, then lick her lips.

Gorr. The heat that shot through him made him grit his teeth.

Suddenly, he really wanted to touch her pale skin.

No. He couldn’t touch her.

There were a hundred reasons he couldn’t. The most important was that she’d just escaped captivity and was recovering. That alone should be enough.

And the truth was, Gray couldn’t have any woman.

Evie shifted, and her nightgown moved, plastering against her body. He saw the outline of slim legs, the curve of her hips, and the shadow of her nipples and full breasts clearly defined.

And his body responded, blood heading to his cock.

Find some control, Graylan.

Evie had been through a terrible ordeal. She had his protection, and that of his brothers and their women.

And Gray had his duty. To his planet, his people, and what lived inside him.

Evie brushed back her dark hair. “So, you come out in the dark and wave rocks around?”

The irreverence startled a laugh out of him. Most people in his life were circumspect about what they said to him.

“I couldn’t sleep.” No, thoughts of Zavir had ricocheted in his brain. It made sleep impossible. His gorr of a father would never stop. He needed power like others needed air to breathe.

Gray’s abilities stirred.

Zavir had concocted a terrible scheme to cause genocide on Taln, to annihilate Graylan’s people.

Rage welled. A light tremor shook the ground under his feet.

It was tiny, but Evie clearly sensed it. As she looked down, her brow creased.

“This exercise centers my power,” he told her.

“So, you can move rocks. What else?”

“I can command the soil, rock, and water. Talnians are connected to all the geological forces of the planet.”

“I hear that your people can cause earthquakes.” She kept her gaze steady on him.

He kept his gaze steady on her. “Is that a question?”

She tilted her head. “Can you cause earthquakes?”

“Yes.”

It was the very tip of the things he could do.

“And everyone on Taln has this ability?” she asked.

“Yes, to differing degrees. For some, it’s not as strong. They can shift the soil or move a rock. Others tend to have an affinity for different abilities, more in tune with water or rock.”

She nodded.

“And training helps us learn control, and to refine our skills.”

“When did you start training?”

“When I was three years old.”

She blinked. “So young.”

“I needed it.” His abilities had been too powerful. “And the connection to the planet’s energy is strong, a compulsion. We want to use it.” He walked down the stone steps, and stepped barefoot onto the grass. He started to wave a hand, but paused. “Evie Mason, would you please join me?”

She smiled. “Why yes, Conqueror. Thanks for asking.”

His lips quirked. She was a refreshing change. “Kick off your shoes.”

She did as he asked. For a second, he looked at her feet. They were slender and well-formed.

He mentally shook himself. Here he was, obsessing over her feet. Gorr.

She stepped onto the grass. “Ooh, it’s really cold.”

Gray felt the beat of his planet beneath him. A deep power that pulsed through him like a heartbeat. He let the geothermal heat move through him, pulling it up, his body a conduit. The patch of grass around them heated and the snow melted.

“Oh my God.” Evie laughed.

Gray realized it was the first time he’d heard her laugh. He liked the sound.

“Can you feel the pulse of Taln under your feet?”

She shook her head. “At home, on Earth, some people talk about communing with nature. Grounding in the Earth’s energy.” She laughed again. “I’ve never believed it.”

He held out his hand. She stared at it a beat, then gingerly put her hand in his.

Gray felt a jolt. She jerked, and he knew that she’d felt it, too. He closed his fingers over her slim ones.

“Thadd and Annora told me that you can absorb power?” he said.

First Claw Annora Rahl of Damar had rescued Evie from her cell on the space station, along with Captain of the Guard Thadd Naveri of Zhalto. The pair were keen to see her thrive.

“Only because of what fucking Naberius did to me.” Caustic anger snapped through Evie’s voice. “He cut me open, he did things, he changed me.”

Gray noted the panic in her eyes, her chest rising and falling fast. He felt the anger throbbing off her.

That anger would save her.

His anger had saved him, too, once.

“Breathe, Evie. Change doesn’t have to be bad, but you shouldn’t fight it. Just breathe.”

Green eyes locked on his. “I don’t want it. I just want to be normal.”

“Hoping for things you can’t have will drive you crazy.” Gray knew that, and it was why he couldn’t let himself get too close to this woman. “Breathe.”

They breathed together. He felt a tingle where their fingers met.

“Absorb some of my power,” he said. “Feel the natural energy beneath you.”

The tingle between their fingers increased. He stroked her palm. Her skin was warm and smooth.

Graylan was a tactile man. Touch helped ground him, especially when his energy surged.

Evie sucked in a deep breath. A gold ring appeared at the edge of her eyes, glowing brightly.

“I can feel… A deep well of power. In the ground. In you. Everywhere.”

His energy pulsed, and hers pulsed back.

Gray sucked in a breath. He’d never experienced anything like it before.

“I…” She shifted closer. “I need to touch you.”

Gorr. He shouldn’t do this, but he couldn’t stop himself. He nodded, and she pressed her hands to his bare chest.

His energy boiled in response—hot and wild. Desire flared inside him like a supernova.

She smiled. “God, do you feel like this all the time? Hot? Powerful?”

Gray cleared his throat. He needed a distraction, or he was going to kiss her.

Then drag her down on the snow-wet grass and fuck her.

“Follow me.” He stepped away, and the connection between them broke. Instantly, he felt the loss.

Focusing, he lifted a palm. A second later, the snow rose up from the grass in a swirl.

“Oh!” Evie watched, delight on her face.

Gray whirled the snow around in a circle, then exploded it out, then coalesced it back in again.

He stopped it, hanging in front of her. “You try.”

“I don’t think I can manage that.” She lifted her hand. She stared hard, her brow furrowed.

He touched her arm. “Relax.”

She shivered, but nodded.

The snow moved to the left, then the right. It wasn’t elegant, the movements jerky.

She laughed. “I’m doing it.”

He smiled back. “You are.”

She didn’t have his control, but she whirled it in a long line. He took over, swirling it around them, so it looked like white smoke. With a laugh, she held her hand out, running her fingers through it.

He slowed it down to a gentle twirl.

“Amazing,” she said.

They stared at each other, caught up in the snow circling around them, entrapping them in a small, private bubble. There was barely any space between them, and he was close enough to see that her nipples were hard points.

He wanted to touch them, taste them.

They’re hard from the cold, you rock-headed gorr, Graylan. Remember, she’s healing.

He cleared his throat.

She took control of the snow again, learning to spin it. She was smiling.

Suddenly, a small tremor hit.

Graylan felt the burst of ragged energy. Taln was a geologically active planet, so small quakes were a normal part of life.

It was over before it began.

The snow dropped down, slapping to the grass.

Evie swallowed convulsively, her hands balled. Her happiness was gone.

“Evie? Are you all right?”

She didn’t respond, staring past him to the mountains. She rubbed her chest with the heel of her hand.

“Tremors are normal.” He shifted closer, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. “Evie?”

She startled. “Sorry, I…” She shook her head. “So earthquakes are common here?”

“They happen. It’s nothing to worry about.” Although they’d been having more than usual lately. He tilted his head. “Something’s bothering you.”

“I had a nightmare earlier.” She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I should have expected it. Jeez, one minute I feel happy and light. The next—” she made a face “—the rage and fear takes over.” She made a choked, furious sound. “I’m sorry, you must think I’m crazy.”

“Evie.” He wanted to touch her, but he forced his hands to stay at his sides. “You’re entitled to those feelings.”

She spun. “I hate it. Before, I was a calm, easy-going person.” She looked back. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be that woman again.”

She was probably right. He knew that traumatic situations left their marks, some visible and some not. “Give yourself time.”

She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.

“You should go to bed now,” he said.

Her chin snapped up. “Like a child? Like a prisoner? Shall I lock myself in my cell?” Before he could respond she deflated as quickly as she’d started. “Ugh, there I go again. The anger just bursts out.”

“Give yourself some time. You’ve only been free for a few days.”

She nodded, but looked dejected. Then her gaze met his again.

He couldn’t look away. What was it about her that he found so fascinating? Not the pretty exterior, although it was attractive. No, it was that burning, inner core of strength and defiance. That, he found irresistible.

She stared back. “I’d better go.”

“Yes.”

Neither of them moved. One of his hands curled into a fist.

Then she gave a slight shake of her head. “Good night, Graylan. Thanks for showing me the snow.”

“Good night, Evie.”

She hurried away, looking like a mountain sprite from his childhood stories.

He turned to view the mountain range that ringed his city.

His father had tried to destroy Taln. He’d tried to destroy Evie, an innocent woman.

But she’d survived.

And Taln would, too.

The power in Graylan coiled, searching for a target.

Gray couldn’t have Evie, but he could avenge what had been done to her.

You’ll pay, Zavir. I vow it.

CHAPTER TWO

At the doorway to the large terrace, Evie paused.

Morning sunshine drenched everything. The snow on the jagged tops of the distant hills glowed a brilliant silver-white. A light, fresh breeze ruffled her hair.

Taln was really beautiful. It was so much to take in after staring at four cell walls for so long. The stunning vista just smacked you in the face and left an impact.

A bit like the planet’s king.

She felt flutters in her belly and a shot of heat. Holy crap, Evie, stop thinking about it.

But as always, her brain didn’t listen to her. No, memories of the moment in the garden the night before flittered through her head.

Graylan’s dark, earthy scent, his lean, muscular body, the strength and power of him.

He’d been careful with her, watching her with his sharp gaze.

Ugh. Everyone watched her like she might break. She wanted the hot guy to just see her. The woman, not the broken, abused abductee.

“Stupid, Evie. He’s a freaking alien king. The ruler of an entire planet.” And she was a former logistics manager from Earth, a former captive who’d been raised by a factory-worker father. Oh, and she now had the weird-ass ability to absorb people’s powers.

Besides, the last thing she needed right now was a man. Her life was complicated enough.

She heard feminine voices, then a woman’s deep laugh.

Discomfort poked at her stomach like needles. She wiped her hands on her leggings. She was wearing a pretty, blue tunic top. It was so nice to be in fresh, clean clothes.

But tiredness was dragging on her like a heavy, stifling blanket.

After her walk in the garden and time with Gray, she’d had trouble sleeping. The nightmares hadn’t left her alone.

Evie sighed and pushed her short hair back. She couldn’t even really say what the nightmares had been. Just flashes of dark images, glowing red light, a thudding heartbeat. And terror. She’d felt so afraid.

She’d woken up, tangled in her sheets and sheened in sweat.

The feminine laugh came again.

Come on, Evie. These women are from Earth. They’ve been where you’ve been, and they’re on your side.

She lifted her chin and marched onto the balcony.

The dark stone the palace was carved from should have looked oppressive and sinister, but the morning light brought out all the veins of gold, cream, and gray that streaked through it. The gardens and city lay beyond the large arches.

At a table overlooking the garden sat three women.

Two were from Earth. One was from Damar.

Mallory West was a tall, tough pilot who was skilled with a sword. Her dark-brown hair was in a ponytail, and she was wearing leather pants and a fitted, white top.

She’d crash-landed on the planet Zhalto in the middle of a fight with Zavir, and been captured by Overlord Rhain Sarkany. In return, she’d captured the man’s heart.

She was the one laughing. She sounded happy.

Beside her, sipping from a dainty cup, was Dr. Poppy Ellison.

The blonde scientist was smiling. She looked almost delicate beside Mal, but the woman had survived the Damari virus and was now mated to Emperor Brodin Sarkany of Damar.

The final woman was a Damari wolf shifter. Like Mal, she was tall and athletic, her dark hair in a braid.

First Claw Annora Rahl was the emperor’s right-hand woman. Annora, along with her man, Captain Thadd Naveri, had rescued Evie.

The pair had vowed to get Evie free, and they had.

As Evie neared, the women all looked up.

She saw worry on Poppy’s face, while Mal studied her hard. Annora’s face was unreadable.

Evie blew out a breath. “You three look like you’re waiting for me to explode, or have a meltdown.”

Mal pushed a chair out with her booted foot. “Sit. Eat. They have these little pastry things that are delicious.”

“They’re called krem.” Annora lifted one and bit into it.

A growl came from under the table and Annora’s face soured. Evie spotted the alien canine sprawled at the woman’s feet.

“Menace,” Annora muttered, but she ripped a piece of pastry off and dropped it down for the pup.

“I’m getting the recipe to take back to Zhalto.” Mal looked at Evie. “We’re heading back in two days. Are you ready?”

Ever since Evie had arrived, Mal had made it known that she wanted Evie to go to Zhalto with her.

Evie forced a smile. “Ready.”

The truth was, she had no idea what she wanted.

She liked Mal. She liked everyone.

But she didn’t belong anywhere.

Hell, even on Earth—if she could go back—she had nothing, or no one. Her father had died of heart failure two years after she’d started work with Origin Space Exploration.

She nibbled on one of the pastries while the women talked.

Flavors exploded in her mouth, and she swallowed a moan. After so long eating bland, nutrient-rich supplements, all the different foods on Taln were so tasty and exciting.

“So, you and our stoic captain are in lurve.” Mal grinned at Annora, shaking her head. “I was sure the two of you would kill each other on that mission.”

“I knew they’d get together.” Poppy bit into her krem. “When I saw you two kissing on Damar, I knew you’d be perfect for each other.”

Annora’s lips curled in a small smile. Quiet happiness radiated off the woman, and she touched the stone dangling from a chain around her neck. “He still drives me crazy most of the time, but I love him.”

“I still can’t believe after a lifetime of ordinary guys, I’m in love with a big, hot alien king.” Mal shook her head. “That man—” her eyes turned a little unfocused “—he rocks my world in more ways than one, even when he makes me mad and I want to bean him in the head.”

Poppy blushed. “I just stare at Brodin, usually when he’s asleep. I can’t believe he’s mine. I can’t believe how much he loves me.”

Evie felt a stab of something and realized it was envy.

These women were so happy. So in love.

Under the table, she clasped her hands together, her belly churning. Damn, she wished she could get a lock on these emotions.

Mal, Annora, and Poppy deserved their happiness. Evie was glad for them.

But it just underscored her own aloneness.

She felt something wet lick her hand. When she glanced down, she saw Pup licking her. The canine had dark, leathery skin, huge paws, and a collar of fur around her neck. The dog licked Evie again, and she couldn’t help but smile and rub Pup’s head.

The women were talking again.

“—all locked up in Gray’s office, plotting.” Mal took a drink of some blue juice. “They’re worried about Zavir. He’s gone quiet, despite the destruction of his prized space station. They expected a lot of noise, some threats, a display of the might of Sarkan.”

Poppy glanced at Annora. “You did good work taking the space station down.”

The Damari woman nodded. “We couldn’t have done it without Evie.”

Evie squeezed her fingers into her thighs. “I’d do it a thousand times over, if I could. Anything to make Zavir pay.” Her voice was like acid.

The women all paused.

Evie shot to her feet and pushed her chair back. “I’m going…to walk in the gardens.”

“Evie—” Mal was frowning.

“Stay. Have some tea.” Poppy stood, worry radiating off her.

“We can spar,” Annora suggested.

“I’m fine. I like the gardens.” Evie needed to get away, and wrestle with her wild emotions. “It’s nice to be out in the open again.”

Poppy sat back down, looking glum. “Okay.”

“Evie?”

She met Mal’s gaze.

“We get it. We understand. Whatever you need, you just ask. And even though I suspect you feel alone, you aren’t.”

Evie felt tears well. Ugh. She’d never been a crier. It had panicked her dad, and she’d learned not to do it—or at least, not in public.

Annora stood, chair scraping. “No. You’ve spent long enough alone, Evie. We’re going to spar. The exercise will be good for you.”

Mal finished her pastry and licked her fingers. “I could do with some exercise.”

Poppy’s nose wrinkled. “I’m not really a fan of exercise. A walk in the forest is more my speed.”

Mal tugged on Poppy’s blonde hair. “Up and at it, Empress.”

A few minutes later, Evie found herself out on the grass in the sunshine. Annora had bossed around some palace guards, and there was now a large, square mat laid out.

Mal was bending her neck side to side and stretching. “First Claw, I’ve been wanting a chance to spar with you.”

Annora raised a dark brow. “Are you sure you’re up for that? Not sure the future queen of Zhalto should be getting humiliated by a lowly Damari.”

Mal’s eyes narrowed. “Even with queen added to my resume, I can take you.”

“Oh, boy,” Poppy groaned. “I am so not doing this.”

Evie smiled. The smack talk had a teasing undertone, the sun was warm, and the air was fresh. She was suddenly glad Annora had dragged her out here.

Then all of a sudden, the ground started shaking.

Poppy gasped and grabbed Evie’s arm. The tremor wasn’t large, and stopped quickly.

“Apparently small quakes are normal on Taln,” Evie said.

On the mat, Mal was sitting, one leg stretched in front of her. Annora stood, hands on her hips.

“I heard some of the guards saying these tremors have been more frequent than usual over the last week or so,” Annora said.

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Mal jumped up. “Come on, First Claw.”

The women rushed at each other in a brilliant display of power and agility.

As Mal and Annora sparred, Poppy turned to Evie. “Did you hear there’s a party tonight?”

Now, Evie groaned. “Not another stuffy event with fancy dresses.” Graylan had held a big, formal ceremony to honor Thadd and Annora, and their courage in subverting Zavir’s plans.

“No. Smaller, and more fun. There’s going to be a bonfire.” Poppy slid her hands in her pockets. “A chance for the brothers to spend some down time together before we leave.”

“Okay.” That didn’t sound too bad.

On the mat, Mal and Annora charged each other. They traded kicks and hits, blocking each other, and crossing the mat. Annora got in close and a second later, Mal hit the mat.

With a growl, Mal leaped up and ran at Annora. In a blink, she had the Damari down and pinned.

“I am not doing that,” Poppy said, looking mildly horrified.

Evie laughed.

“IT’S NOT like him to be this quiet.” Graylan stared out the window of his office. He didn’t see the peaks of the Dacite Mountains.

He saw his father’s face.

“Oh, I’m sure Zavir is licking his wounds,” Rhain said.

“It’s only been a few days,” Brodin rumbled.

“He’s planning something,” Gray said. “Something bigger, worse.” He spun.

His brothers sat, sprawled in chairs on the other side of the hunk of polished, black rock that served as Gray’s desk.

Usually, he spent his days in here getting updates on farming and manufacturing, approving art shows, dodging various ceremony invites, and studying the latest starship and technology designs.

Today, it was talk of battle.

No one would mistake his half-brothers for anything other than warriors. Rhain was big and powerful. Black hair topped a rugged face and liquid-silver eyes.

Brodin was big and wild. His hair was long and silver-white, and tied back with small braids at his temples. His eyes were a unique jewel blue.

Rhain’s captain of the guard, Thadd Naveri, stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall with his brawny arms crossed over his chest.

Graylan and his brothers didn’t look much alike, but the three of them were united in many things. Duty to their planets, a deep need to protect their people, and a complicated hatred of their father.

Gray’s jaw tensed. Zavir was a lot of things—smart, charming, cunning, ruthless. He’d killed Rhain’s mother, tried to kill Gray’s as well. He’d attacked their planets constantly.

But, he often showed pride in his sons. The gorr had even saved Poppy’s life on Damar.

Yes, their relationship with Zavir was complicated.

But the one thing Gray knew was that Zavir would never stop. He wanted control of his sons, and the entire Sarkany System.

“He’s planning something,” Gray said again.

“And when he executes it, we’ll push back and stop him,” Rhain said.

Brodin nodded. “As we always do.”

Gray felt a faint pulse of energy run through him, then the small tremor hit. His brothers tensed, but then it was over.

Frowning, Gray turned to the windows. “We’ve been having a lot of tremors the last few days.”

“That’s not unusual, right?” Rhain said.

“No.” His gaze moved across the mountains that sat high above Gearma. He made a mental note to check with his science team. They had a high-tech system of sensors, to ensure the city was protected from any earthquakes, landslides, or avalanches.

He heard voices outside, followed by a feminine laugh.

A laugh he knew because he’d heard it last night, and it had followed him into his dreams.

Rising, he pushed open the glass doors and stepped onto the balcony.

At the carved, stone railing, he looked down to the gardens below and saw the women on a fitness mat.

The other men joined him.

They watched Annora and Mal grapple. It was a sight. The women were both fit, athletic, and competitive.

“Ah, my woman has found a fight.” Rhain’s voice was laced with amusement. “I’m shocked.”

Brodin snorted.

Thadd leaned against the railing. “Should we make some bets?”

“Not if we want to keep all our limbs,” Rhain said. “If they found out…”

Gray’s gaze shifted to where Poppy and Evie stood.

Like she sensed him, Evie’s head turned, and their gazes locked.

Every muscle in his body tensed.

Then he saw Evie frown and look down.

A heartbeat later, Gray felt a strong pulse of energy from the ground. What the gorr?

A massive tremor hit.

The ground shook violently. The men beside him cursed, and Gray gripped the railing to stay upright. Down below, he saw Poppy stumble, and Evie caught her. From behind him in his office, came the sound of things falling and crashing.

But the energy coming from deep below didn’t ebb. Instead, Gray felt another huge surge.

Gorr.

In the gardens, the ground cracked.

A chasm opened, ripping across the grass. Mal and Annora both leaped back, as their mat tipped over the edge. They ended up on the other side of the growing, gaping hole to Poppy and Evie.

Screams echoed and the ground heaved. He saw Poppy fall, rolling toward the rift. Evie lunged after her.

Brodin tensed. “Poppy!”

Gray didn’t hesitate. He launched himself over the railing.

He threw his arms out and commanded the soil. It swelled up, rising like a pillar to meet him.

He landed on it, then it shrank back down to ground level.

Sprinting, Gray raced across the grass toward the women.

Poppy slipped over the edge, but Evie flung herself toward the woman. She fell flat on her belly at the edge of the chasm and gripped Poppy’s wrists.

Gorr. Could Evie even hold Poppy’s weight, or would both of them slide over the edge?

He watched Evie slip, and she tried to jam her soft boots into the soil for purchase.

Gray skidded to a stop beside them. He put one hand over Evie’s and used his other to grab the back of Poppy’s shirt. Deep down in the chasm, magma glowed red, and a jagged pulse of immense power pushed through his veins.

He yanked Poppy and Evie back, just as a stone-faced Brodin reached them. Gray shoved the man’s mate at him, then crouched and grabbed Evie.

“Oh, God.” Her voice was shaky. She gripped his arms.

“You’re safe,” he said.

“My Lord!” One of his obsidian guards ran toward them. The man was dressed in all-black armor. “The crack is still opening, and it’s heading toward the city.”

Gray lifted his head and saw the chasm, swallowing trees and hedges.

He set Evie behind him. “Get back.” Then he pressed his palms to the grass.

He called up his power, his connection to the planet. Closing his eyes, he pulled it to him.

Then he willed the ground to close.

The dirt and grass beneath him trembled.

“Brodin, get everyone back,” he roared.

“I will.”

The crack stopped growing, and Gray poured more power into the ground around him.

Close. Close. Close.

Gritting his teeth, he saw the crack start to close up. Slowly, bit by bit.

But something was fighting him. Some deep power from far below was pushing back.

Gray made a harsh sound. Close.

The trembling beneath him grew. He opened his eyes and saw the edges of the crack crumbling.

Then a small body dropped down beside him, arm brushing his. He smelled Evie’s scent.

“I said to stay back,” he growled.

“I heard you.” She pressed her smaller palm down to the ground beside his. “I can help.”

Then she shoved up his sleeve and pressed her other hand to the bare skin of his forearm.

He hissed. Where she touched him tingled, turning to a burn.

White-hot desire arrowed through him.

Gorr, Gray, this is not the time.

He felt power swell in her, then felt her pumping it into the ground.

Her power twined with his.

The crack started to close more quickly.

Evie wobbled, and with a curse, Gray wrapped an arm around her. He pulled her into the shelter of his body.

She turned her head.

Her eyes had a gold ring around the green. Energy whirled around them, violent and strong.

Then the crack closed with a final shake of the ground.

Gray cut off his power, felt Evie do the same.

He stared down at her. The violent need to kiss her, stamp a claim, and possess this woman hit him hard. He shook as he wrestled with it.

Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Graylan…”

Then shouts filled the air. His obsidian guards and his brothers ran toward them.

Gray dragged in a deep breath and rose, pulling Evie up with him.

He looked at his most senior guard. “Charno, assess the damage and keep the area secure.”

The older guard nodded.

Gray looked over at another guard. “Nori, see if anyone was hurt, and then check in with the science team. I want to know why we had no warning of this quake.”

The woman bowed her head. “Yes, Conqueror.”

With great effort, Gray made himself step away from Evie.

Her face fell, and he saw a flash of something in her eyes before she looked away.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” She turned to rejoin the others who stood nearby.

Brodin had Poppy in his arms and looked like he didn’t plan to let her go anytime soon.

“Evie…” Gray wanted to say so many things, but knew he shouldn’t. “Thank you for helping.”

She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze tracing his face. Then with a nod, she walked away.

Gray’s hand balled into a fist. He sucked in a deep breath, then turned back to his guards.

CHAPTER THREE

Evie sank lower in the large, round stone bathtub, and let out a long, contented sigh.

While she’d been a prisoner, she’d dreamed of taking long, hot baths.

She lifted a hand and swirled it through the water. The bath was scented with something citrusy that relaxed her even more.

She reached for the tray of food resting on the side of the tub. A palace worker, Dari, had dropped it off for her earlier. The chatty, friendly woman told Evie all about Taln—clothes, food, music. She didn’t look at Evie like she was an oddity, or with pity.

Evie popped a delicious berry in her mouth. She had no idea what it was, but it was a pale-blue color, and tasted like nothing on Earth. It was delicious, tart, and sweet.

She closed her eyes and absorbed all the sensations.

Soon, she’d have to drag herself out of the water and get dressed for the bonfire party.

She sighed. Dari had also delivered clothes for her. She hadn’t even looked at them yet.

The drama and adrenaline of the earthquake this morning had finally faded. Dari had told her that it had been the talk of the palace. Evie had noticed several people and palace staff members giving her curious looks throughout the afternoon.

Apparently, the Talnians had some sort of high-tech sensors in place, but they hadn’t picked up this earthquake before it had hit. They were all distressed that their tech had failed them.

Evie had sensed the tremor before it hit. Like a giant bubble of pressure building beneath her feet.

Then it had burst.

When the ground had broken open and Poppy had tumbled over the edge, Evie had been terrified that she’d drop the other woman.

But then Graylan had leaped in like a superhero.

Evie’s belly coiled.

She remembered every second of when she and Graylan had funneled energy together to close the chasm. Heat washed over her. In that moment, it felt like the two of them were in the center of a windstorm. The energy had splayed around them, connected them. She’d seen heat in his eyes as he’d looked at her.

She’d wanted nothing more than to kiss him.

After the chasm had closed, she’d craved his touch. Anything to feel more of that connection between them.

Then he’d pulled back.

She’d watched him issue orders, do his duty. He was just as handsome and attractive when he was giving kingly orders.

Evie shifted, the water sloshing in the tub.

He knew this crazy attraction could go nowhere. That’s why he’d pulled back.

“Stop thinking about him,” she muttered.

Evie finally made herself get out of the tub. She dried off, enjoying the plush towel, and the heated mat under her feet.

Talnians had bathing down to a fine art.

Wrapped in a towel, she went to find her outfit. It was lying on her bed. Ugh, another dress. She’d never been much of a dress lover. Definitely nowhere to wear one on an exploration ship.

At least this one was a nice, deep blue. With a sigh, she pulled it on, surprised to find she loved the silky, soft feel of it. It was made of a velvet-like fabric, perfect for the cooler climes of Taln.

She turned to the mirror, and sucked in a breath.

Oh.

The dress hugged her body, and the plunging neckline made her breasts look awesome. She ran her hands down the fabric. It had long sleeves, and the hem was long in the back and shorter in the front. A pair of boots, filled with warm fur, sat beside the bed. She pulled them on, and they almost reached her knees.

She looked…great.

Tears welled.

No. She was not thinking of everything she’d been denied for the past two years. She was free now. She was going to live.

She fingered her hair. Maybe she’d enjoy showing a certain king what he was missing out on.

She opened the door and spotted one of the maids. “Um, excuse me, Dari has been helping me. I need someone who can cut hair.”

With a smile, the woman bobbed her head. “I’ll find Dari. She’s very skilled with hair.”

ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER, Evie headed out onto a giant terrace at the back of the palace.

She gasped. This side of the palace looked very different, compared to the sprawling gardens. The huge terrace was a platform that hung out over the cliffside, with an extraordinary view of a steep canyon and the city.

Night had fallen, and while there were braziers and torches flickering at the edges of the terrace, it was the huge bonfire in the center of the platform that was the star of the show. It was set in a stone-lined depression, the flames leaping and dancing merrily.

Lots of people gathered around. Many of the men wore vests or long coats. The women wearing fancy dresses were also wrapped in coats or stoles.

Evie spotted Poppy and Mal. Poppy looked gorgeous in a green jumpsuit, while Mal wore leather pants and a high-necked, red shirt that shimmered in the firelight. They waved at her, lifting mugs of what had to be the warm, spiced wine that the Talnians loved. Evie had tried it, and found all the different flavors in it were delicious. It wasn’t Heineken, but it would do.

She headed their way.

“You’re the woman from Earth. The one who was rescued from the Sarkans.”

Evie stopped and turned. Two Talnian women were watching her. They both towered over her, their dark hair twisted up in elaborate hair styles.

“Yes, my name’s Evie.”

“You must have been through so much,” one of the women said.

When Evie saw the morbid curiosity in the woman’s eyes, she struggled to keep her smile in place.

She’d met a few people like these two over the last few days. Wanting all the gory details of her captivity.

“I’m sorry, ladies, I need Evie for a moment.”

Surprised, she saw the deep voice belonged to one of Graylan’s guards. The man wore glossy, black armor that fitted his muscular body like a glove. She couldn’t remember the man’s name. He was a few years older than Graylan, with an interesting, rugged face.

He gently took her arm and led her away.

“Thank you,” Evie said.

“Those two are the spoiled daughters of some wealthy merchant families. They’re always gossiping.”

“Well, I appreciate the rescue. I don’t know your name.”

A faint smile. “I’m Charno.”

She smiled back. “Evie.”

His smile widened. “I know.”

She glanced past him, and her gaze collided with an intense gold one.

Her chest hitched.

Graylan stood across the party, by the fire pit with some Talnian nobles.

“Did the conqueror ask you to rescue me?” she asked.

Charno cleared his throat. “He may have mentioned something about keeping an eye on you. Would you like some wine?”

“Yes, I think I would.”

Charno hesitated. “I saw you help the conqueror today. You were very brave.”

Evie felt a flush of pleasure. She hadn’t received many compliments over the last two years. “Thanks. I’d like to say I thought it through, but really, I just reacted.”

“Still brave.”

Charno strode to the drink tables and Evie couldn’t stop herself looking back toward Graylan.

He was still watching her, and she refused to look away. Of course, just looking at him made her senses go haywire, and her body heat.

Why? Why with just one look at this man did her body light up?

You’re just sex deprived, Evie.

Yeah, that had to be it.

Tonight, Graylan wore unrelieved black, but had his shirt sleeves rolled up, showing the bronze skin of his forearms, despite the cool, night air.

You can’t have him, Evie.

She knew that, but she hated the way that made her feel.

GRAY DIDN’T HEAR a word his nobles were saying to him.

He kept his gaze on Evie.

She looked stunning. The blue dress hugged her small, curvy body. His hand tightened on his drink. She’d done something to her hair. It looked wispy and silky, accenting her cheekbones.

He wanted to touch her. The need was growing inside him.

He saw Charno return and hand Evie a drink. She smiled at the guard, and Gray fought the urge to take down his most loyal man.

He blew out a breath. He had to get control over this growing obsession.

Evie would be leaving Taln soon.

His entire body rebelled at the idea.

“My Lord?”

He looked up and saw his nobles watching him. He had no idea what they’d said.

“Excuse me.”

He stalked away, moving through the party, and ignoring people who tried to grab his attention.

He wasn’t in the mood.

He looked back and Evie raised her head. Their gazes met.

In that second, he was back in the gardens, touching her, sharing their power. He felt like he had a wild beast inside him, desperate to get to her.

He blew out a breath.

Maybe if he allowed himself a small touch? Just enough to appease this violent, unwanted need.

“Conqueror.” A woman stepped between him and Evie, blocking his view.

Graylan bit back an annoyed sigh. Celestine was beautiful, and she knew it. She was the daughter of a wealthy, noble family, and she had her heart set on being the queen consort of Taln.

She was tall and slender, with long, black hair streaked with strands of snow white. Tonight, it was set in elaborate curls, and her lips were bright red.

“Good evening, Celestine,” he said.

She smiled, pressing a hand to his arm. “Would you like a drink, or some food? The palace kitchens have outdone themselves tonight.”

She always said what she thought he wanted to hear. She never expressed her own opinions. Never snapped at him, or told him off for issuing orders.

“I’m fine.” He lifted his wine mug. “I have a drink. Now, if you’ll—”

Her hand tightened. “Stay. Let’s talk. What you did today, closing the chasm, was amazing. You’re a hero.”

Gray’s brow creased. “I did my duty. And I was lucky that I had help.”

“Oh, your guards. Of course.”

“No, I meant Evie.”

There was a flash of something in Celestine’s brown eyes. “The small woman from Earth?” Celestine smiled. “I’m sure it was mostly thanks to your abilities.” She slid her hand up his arm. “You’re so strong. Powerful.”

Over Celestine’s shoulder, he saw Evie watching them. Her mouth tightened and she turned away.

Gray stepped back. “Enjoy the party, Celestine.”

Determination filled the woman’s face. “The musicians are about to start. I’d love to dance.”

Sure enough, at the end of the terrace, a few musicians were setting up their instruments. One was testing the strings on his violar, a popular Talnian instrument.

“I’m sure you’ll find many willing partners. Now, I need to speak with my brothers.”

Gray hurried over to where Rhain and Brodin stood by the railing, mugs in hand. Nearby, a brazier crackled, casting flickering shadows over the men. Beyond them, the golden lights of Gearma gleamed across the mountainside.

“We were about to mount a rescue mission.” Rhain sipped his wine, not even bothering to hide his grin.

“Your…admirer was persistent,” Brodin said.

“She doesn’t want me,” Gray said, “she wants to be queen consort.”

His brothers made sympathetic sounds. No doubt, they’d both been in similar situations.

Gray took a large sip of his wine. He saw Evie was talking with Poppy and Mal. He kept a close eye on her, making sure she ate and drank enough.

The music started, playing a classic Talnian song, filled with stirring strings and drums. Several people started to dance.

“No more tremors since this morning?” Rhain asked.

Gray shook his head. “The one today came up fast and strong. We had no warning, and that’s uncommon. Our sensors have worked very well as an early-warning system for years. I need my scientists to improve our monitoring systems.”

He saw Evie watching the dancers.

“I’m going to check in with my guards.” But as Gray left his brothers, he headed toward Evie.

He came up behind her, his gaze sliding over her dress. She was still watching the people dancing.

By Lady Taln, she was beautiful. Small, but perfectly formed.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

She jolted. “I don’t know the steps.”

“It’s a Talnian tapa. Simple.” He took her hand, and the contact was electric. “I’ll show you.”

Her fingers twitched in his, and she looked up. “Okay, but if I trample your toes, don’t blame me.”

He smiled. “I think I can handle it.”

He set their drinks down and led her to the dance area. The tapa didn’t call for a close hold, just hands connected, facing each other.

As he showed her the steps, she caught on quickly. When she mis-stepped a few times, he stopped her from bumping into the other dancers.

She laughed.

He couldn’t look away from her. Their fingers were intertwined, and he absorbed the feel of her.

But it wasn’t enough.

She isn’t in your plan, Gray. And something warned him this woman would be a huge risk. One he couldn’t take.

His body didn’t seem to care.

The song changed, turning slower, more sensual. He saw Evie glance around as the dancers moved closer together, their bodies pressed against each other.

“Come.” He pulled her away from the dance floor.

He didn’t want prying eyes on them. He wanted to be alone with her.

He knew he shouldn’t, but he didn’t care.

He walked along the terrace, away from the bonfire and deeper into the shadows.

“Graylan—”

“I want to show you something.”

The winter ivy was blooming, fragrant silver flowers dotted over the vines that climbed the stone walls and wrapped around the railing. They only flowered at night.

“Here.” He stopped by the railing. “Are you warm enough?”

“It’s cool, but I like it,” she said.

He pressed in close behind her, to share his warmth. He breathed in her scent. She smelled like fresh temonia fruit.

She stilled, her breath hitched.

“Look down in the canyon,” he murmured.

They both looked down into the rocky ravine. Jagged rocks were everywhere, and far below was a silver ribbon of a river.

“It’s striking,” she said.

“Look at the cliffside over there.” He pointed.

The wyar dived out of their nests in the rocks, arrowing down into the ravine, before flying up. The birds’ white wings were streaked with blue and green and pink.

“Oh,” she breathed. “They’re gorgeous.”

“I love watching them.” He had done so since he was a child.

The birds danced in the night sky.

Graylan lowered his head, drawing in Evie’s scent again. The chatter and laughter from the party was just a distant murmur.

Her hands gripped the railing, and she leaned back into him.

He pressed closer and nuzzled her hair.

“Graylan,” she whispered.

CHAPTER FOUR

Graylan was so close to her, his scent and heat surrounding her.

Evie’s body trembled, filled with hot need. One of his hands circled her hip, and she felt the burn of his touch through her dress.

Her chest rose and fell, anticipation pooling in her belly.

She wanted him to touch her so badly. Goose bumps spread over her skin, and they had nothing to do with the cold.

“Look up, Evie.”

She obeyed the deep command and gasped.

Snow was falling.

The delicate flakes looked like diamond sparkles in the sky. Then she felt warm lips graze the back of her neck.

She bit her lip to hold back a moan. They shouldn’t be doing this. He was an off-limits king. She didn’t know who she was anymore.

His mouth moved, dropping kisses along her neck. She tilted a little to give him better access. Her nipples hardened against her dress.

She gripped the railing hard, sensations racing through her.

She felt his tongue on her skin. This time a small moan escaped.

“Graylan…” Her voice was breathy. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“I know.” His voice was deep and gritty. “Tell me to stop.”

She couldn’t. She pressed her hand on top of his at her hip, and tilted her head more.

He made a low growling sound and bit her lightly.

Pleasure shot through her, and she jolted. She could hear the party not too far away. Anyone could stumble across them.

“You drive me crazy, Evie,” he growled. “Every time I see you, or think about you.”

She felt the same. Like some crazed, needy creature had taken over her body.

He slid his hand up to cup her breast. She moaned and his fingers slid under the velvet. He found one hard nipple and toyed with it.

With a strangled moan, she pushed into his touch.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured.

“I don’t want to.”

He raked his teeth down her neck, pinching her nipple lightly. “I’m a gorr for even touching you.”

“This is my choice.” Her voice was tight. “I get to decide what I want, no one else.”

And she wanted this man.

She didn’t care if he was a king or an alien.

She turned, looking into his burning gold eyes, and the harsh lines of his face.

He slid a hand into her short hair, and tugged her head back.

“I’m a dangerous man, Evie.”

She knew he had power, knew he’d probably killed. But deep inside, he made her feel safe.

“Not to me,” she whispered.

She hadn’t been safe for so long, and she knew what evil looked like.

With a growl, he lowered his head, and his lips took hers.

His mouth was firm, hard, and demanding. With a moan, she opened to him. She cupped his cheeks, pressing closer.

One of Graylan’s hands slid down and cupped her ass. He pulled her into him, mouth turning aggressive.

Yes. He wasn’t treating her like she was delicate, or broken.

She felt like she was going up in flames. She wanted to tear his clothes off, touch his body all over.

Evie’s heart was galloping fast, and she kissed him back, needing so much more. Energy whirled, zipping between them.

She gasped. The power enhanced her desire. He groaned, gripping her harder.

He lifted his head, his gold eyes ablaze.

The glow reminded her of…

Suddenly, the world fell away and she was plunged into a nightmare.

Images bombarded her. Naberius’ laugh. The throb of jagged energy. A red glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. Evie was running, trapped in an endless cave.

Her body shuddered. Pain and fear cascaded through her.

Then, suddenly, she was shaking. Someone was calling her name.

She blinked, and she was sucked out of the nightmare.

She was in Graylan’s arms, his face set in hard lines.

He shook her. “Evie, wake up.”

She blinked. “G-Graylan?”

His hand cupped her cheek. “You back with me? Are you all right?”

Her throat was tight, fear a hard ball in her chest. “I…” God, she’d had a nightmare while she was awake.

She pulled away from him, then gripped the railing and sucked in some cool air.

“Evie?”

She closed her eyes.

“Talk to me,” he murmured.

She was so messed up. “I’ve been having nightmares.” A multitude of emotions churned inside of her. Damn, she wanted to be normal again.

She wanted to kiss a guy without turning into a freak.

“Nightmares are normal after what you’ve been through,” he said.

Her fingers dug into the stone. “It’s not normal to have one when you’re awake.”

His hand pressed to the back of her neck. The warmth felt so good, and her throat tightened.

“I once had terrible nightmares.” His voice sounded like a blade. “I was younger. I’d suffered…something terrible.”

She swallowed. “What happened?”

He was quiet for a moment. “Zavir tried to kill me and my mother.”

Zavir.

Rage welled, along with the nightmarish images. They crowded at the edge of her consciousness, pushing, trying to overwhelm her.

Suddenly, she realized the terrace was shaking under her.

“Evie, stop!” Graylan’s voice snapped like a whip.

The railing cracked under her hand. A chunk of stone fell down into the gorge.

Graylan yanked her back.

Oh, shit. She’d absorbed some of his power and used it without realizing.

This hadn’t been a natural tremor. She’d lost control and caused it.

She yanked away from him.

He was watching her with worry and concern.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “You should stay away from me.”

“Evie—”

She shook her head, then turned and ran.

She sprinted along the cold, empty terrace, away from the party.

Alone.

She was different, she was dangerous, and she knew it was safer if she was alone.

THE PARTY WAS OVER.

Graylan had smoothed over Evie’s disappearance, telling everyone that she was tired. He was pretty sure Mal hadn’t believed him, but she’d agreed to check in on Evie in the morning.

He’d instructed the guards to cordon off the damaged railing, and organize the repair.

Now, he paced his suite. The shadows shifted, and out the windows, he saw that the snowfall had thickened, covering the palace grounds and city in a light dusting.

He swiveled. He was wearing black, loose sleep pants, and no shirt. He should be asleep.

When Evie had plunged into that seizure or waking nightmare, or whatever the gorr it had been, he’d been terrified.

He liked an enemy he could fight.

When she’d finally snapped out of it, he’d been so relieved.

Then she’d accidentally drawn on his power, effortlessly, and used it.

He stopped and frowned, hands on his hips. She had powerful abilities. He wasn’t sure she realized just how powerful. His doctors had run some tests when she’d first been rescued to determine what had been done to her, but they didn’t have any definitive results yet.

When she’d run off tonight, hurt and alone, he’d hated it.

No. He wasn’t leaving her to suffer by herself.

He strode to the door and yanked it open.

The young guard by the wall straightened. “Conqueror.”

“I’m not leaving the palace, and I don’t need assistance. Stay here.”

The guard nodded.

Graylan headed toward the room where Evie was sleeping.

Was she having more nightmares?

He jogged down the steps, glad it was the middle of the night, and the halls were empty. He reached her door and only heard silence.

She might be sleeping peacefully. He hesitated, then pushed open the door. The room was drenched in shadows.

He saw her small form curled on the bed. Her body was shivering, and he could tell she wasn’t asleep.

He couldn’t fight the protective need he felt any longer.

He moved to the bed, and as soon as he sat down, she gasped.

“Quiet.” He lay down, curling his body around hers.

He felt her tremble. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I know. But I am.” He wrapped his arms tightly around her.

She slowly relaxed into him.

“I’m scared of what I can do,” she whispered.

Gray understood that feeling very well. “I know. I feel the same. My power is stronger than anybody knows.”

She pressed a hand over his. “You’ve never told anyone?”

“No.” He paused. “It’s why, if I do marry, I’ll have an arranged union. I can’t risk loving someone.”

Evie gasped, turning a little. He knew she was looking at him.

“Why?”

“If I love a woman, claim her as mine, I’d do anything to protect her. I’d use my darkest, strongest powers to keep her safe.”

He’d eradicate any danger to a woman who claimed his heart. He worried just how far he’d go. There was more of his father in him than he liked to admit.

Only one person suspected the depths of Gray’s ability to tap Taln’s forces—Zavir.

It was why his father had tried to kill him as a teenager.

“That sounds sad and lonely,” Evie said.

Gray tightened his hold and pressed his face to her hair.

Right now, he didn’t feel lonely.

“Do you want to talk about the nightmares?” he asked.

She shuddered.

“You’re safe, Evie. I promise Zavir will never touch you again.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Honestly, I can’t even really describe the nightmares. They’re just a jumble of images. Some are memories. Some I don’t recognize. I don’t know what they are. My mind is twisting things, I guess.”

Gray breathed her in. “Then just relax and get some sleep.”

He held her, listening as her breathing slowed and the tension left her body.

He never let himself hold a lover. When he took one, he made sure she was well-pleasured, then left once they were done. He hadn’t lied to Evie. He knew he couldn’t risk falling in love.

He couldn’t risk giving the power inside him a reason to rage and break its bonds.

Gray knew he should leave Evie’s room right now. He shouldn’t be curled around this still-healing woman from Earth.

But he stayed where he was, holding Evie in the night-dark shadows.

CHAPTER FIVE

Evie woke with a smile, stretching her arms. Mmm. She’d slept so well, and felt recharged.

She opened her eyes, noting the bright sunshine streaming into her bedroom.

She rolled over, and smelled Graylan on her sheets.

Oh. He’d come to her in the night. He’d held her while she slept, and kept the nightmares at bay.

Her heart did a little stuttering jig.

They were dancing along a dangerous line. They were attracted to each other, but he’d vowed to never care for someone, and he was a king.

And she was leaving soon.

Shaking her head, she climbed out of bed. For once, she was feeling happy and light. She wasn’t going to waste that.

No, it was time to seize the day. Maybe she’d visit the market in the city. She’d heard great things about it. Poppy said the food was amazing, and Mal had bought an obsidian knife she loved.

Evie pulled on some dark leggings and a loose, gray sweater that was made of a material so soft she couldn’t stop stroking it.

Yes, she could do this. She smiled. She could make a new life for herself. Zavir was not stealing any more from her.

She headed out into the corridor, her boots making a faint squeak on the polished stone floor. She really, really wanted to see Graylan again.

Denying it wasn’t making the need for him lessen.

She turned a corner, and a massive pain ripped through her head.

Evie staggered and hit the wall. Her teeth clicked together, and she bit her lip, tasted blood.

The pain hit again, and she cried out. The agony drove her to her knees.

She groaned, clamping her hands to the side of her head. Images—in horrible, stark detail—poured into her head.

Before, they’d been murky and unclear.

These ones were the opposite.

Whimpering, she saw a gleaming, silver device. It looked like a large, jointed ball, too big for her to wrap her arms around. She saw Zhylaw hovering around it.

It was in a cave.

Then, she saw it pulsing with red light.

Then, she saw Zavir, smiling.

“Evie!”

She blinked, fighting through the pounding pain in her head. Poppy was crouched in front of her, and Mal stood nearby with Brodin. Both looked worried, and the emperor had a fierce scowl on his rugged face.

“Evie, what’s wrong?” Poppy touched the side of Evie’s head. “Your mouth is bleeding.”

“Headache,” Evie pushed out between gritted teeth. “Images.” She managed to pull in a breath. “I need to see Graylan. Now.”

“Something’s wrong?” Brodin’s voice was a growl.

Evie nodded, setting off the aches in her head again. “It’s Zavir.”

Brodin cursed. “Gray’s in his office.”

Poppy and Mal helped Evie up. Her vision swam, and the horrible thud in her head made nausea rise up.

She didn’t care. She had to talk to Graylan.

She took one step and wobbled.

“Here.” Brodin swept her into his brawny arms.

Evie was hurting too much to protest.

Poppy and Mal had to jog to keep up with Brodin as he strode through the palace. Moments later, he nodded to Graylan’s guards, who opened an ornate wooden door inlaid with precious stones.

When they burst into Graylan’s office, both he and Rhain leaped out of their chairs.

Graylan’s eyes went straight to Evie. “What happened? Is she all right?”

“I don’t know.” Brodin set her on a chair.

“Evie?” Graylan circled his desk.

“The genite slugs were a ruse,” Evie whispered.

Graylan tensed.

Naberius, on Zavir’s orders, had infused genite crystals into small, slug-like creatures. Genite was deadly to Talnians. Zavir had planned to let the slugs proliferate the waterways of Taln, and cause genocide. It was why the kings had tasked Thadd and Annora to stop the plan.

Graylan crouched in front of Evie. He reached out and wiped her lip. She saw the blood on his fingers.

“Start at the beginning,” he said.

She kept her gaze on his gold eyes. It steadied her.

“I had another nightmare. In the hall. It hit me out of nowhere.” She rubbed her temple. Her headache was thankfully receding. “The images were clearer.”

“Okay. Go on.”

“I saw a device. Zavir had ordered his people to create it. It was a sphere.” She held her arms out wide. “It pulsed with red light, and I felt so much power coming from it.” She swallowed. “The genite was a ruse to keep you all busy while he implemented the device.”

“What does it do?” Brodin asked.

“I don’t know.” Frustration arced through her. “I just know it’s a weapon.” She looked at Graylan again. “And it’s on Taln.”

Graylan straightened. “You know that for sure?”

Evie blew out a breath. “I’m pretty sure. I saw the device in a cave of some sort. The rock in the cave looked like the same rock your palace is carved from.”

A muscle ticked in Graylan’s jaw. He shared looks with his brothers.

“You said these nightmares have just been jumbles of things? Unclear images you can’t place?”

“Yes. Some are memories, things I saw or heard on Abiosis. Others, I don’t know. But I know this weapon is real. I just know. Maybe I can see more?” Evie rubbed her temple, trying to force more memories. Pain speared through her brain like a knife. She winced.

“Evie, enough.” Graylan touched her temple. “I’ll have some of my guards investigate.”

He didn’t sound very convinced.

“You don’t believe me?” she whispered.

He sighed. “I think you’re having terrible nightmares because of what was done to you. You said yourself things are mixed up. Some of these images may not even be real. What you do remember doesn’t give me a clear place to investigate.”

Evie wrapped her arms around herself. She suddenly felt cold. He was right, of course. A few dark memories weren’t enough to find this weapon.

And it was a weapon. She knew it.

She rose, locking her weak knees. “Okay. If I remember anything else useful, I’ll let you know.”

“I think you should let the doctors check you over,” Graylan said, brow creased.

Evie backed up toward the door. “No. I don’t need more doctors poking at me.” She pasted on a smile. “I think I’ll get some fresh air.”

“Evie?” Poppy took a step closer.

Evie felt them all looking at her and she felt a desperate need to escape.

To have people not look at her like she was losing her mind.

“I’ll…see you all later.” She hurried out the door.

Blindly, she navigated the twists and turns of the palace. Finally, on the ground floor, she found a door to the gardens.

She leaped down the steps and onto the grass. Then she dragged in a deep breath.

The sky was a stunning, pale blue overhead, and the sun was impossibly bright.

Suddenly, she felt the need for more freedom. Even the palace was making her feel trapped. She knew the others would be in Graylan’s office, worrying about poor, unstable Evie.

She walked toward the giant stone wall that surrounded the gardens. There were guards at the entrance into the palace and she avoided them.

If she asked to go to the market, she’d end up with an escort, which she didn’t want.

She followed the wall for a while, and then glanced up.

Could she scale it?

One way to find out.

She found a tree growing close to the wall, and shimmied up it. She reached the top, huffing. Damn, she needed to exercise more. She’d always liked running, but that was hard to do when you were locked in a cell. On Abiosis, she’d spent time each day doing squats, lunges, and push-ups in her cell to keep some conditioning.

She eyed the gap to the wall. Not too far.

Then she tensed her muscles and jumped.

She hit the top of the wall, scraping her knee on the stone. She swallowed a curse.

Then she smiled. She’d made it.

Elation filled her.

Evie leaped down to the grass on the other side of the wall, landing with a bend of her knees.

Freedom.

She dusted herself off and made her way to the road leading into the city.

Many of the buildings were all made from different-colored stone, intricately carved, and lots of windows were decorated with bright flower boxes. Higher up the hillside, she saw more modern buildings, with sharper angles and interesting shapes. They had strong arches and curves of metal, and huge foundations. She guessed they were built to withstand earthquakes. Gearma was a fascinating blend of old and new.

Black transports zoomed silently down the street. They reminded her of the Talnian spaceship that had rescued her, Annora, and Thadd from the Sarkans—sleek, and well-designed.

A dog-like creature with brown, shaggy fur slunk out of an alley. It had bright-blue eyes and, when it saw her, its stubby tail wagged. It rubbed against her.

“Hello, there.” She patted the thick fur and grinned. A sharp whistle came from somewhere, and the canine bounded off.

She continued on, absorbing the sights and the smells of the city. Her headache had subsided to a low, manageable thud, and she pushed every single thought of her nightmares away.

Finally, she reached the entrance to the main market square. There were stalls set up everywhere, with vendors selling food on skewers, while others were frying things on grills. Everything smelled great, and her stomach rumbled.

She spotted a little creature with brown fur dart out from under a table. It looked a little like a ferret, or a mink, with a long, sinuous body. It paused at the foot of a stall, then leaped up, and grabbed a skewer in its mouth, and took off fast.

The vendor cursed, shaking a fist at the furry thief, and Evie grinned.

High-pitched, tinkling laughter echoed down the street. A group of children, all in matching blue tunic outfits were heading down the sidewalk. It looked like a school outing, with two adults keeping them in line.

She followed the group deeper into the open-air market. She noted the stalls all had sturdy roofs, no doubt to withstand any snow, and long, tall braziers dotted around the place gave off heat.

Most stalls were selling clothes—like heavy coats and colorful scarves—household goods, and food. She stared at one that was laden with fruit. Or at least she thought it was fruit—everything looked different to Earth. There were some white berries that looked interesting.

Evie absorbed it all. The logistics manager in her was fascinated. It had been a part of her job to keep her exploration ship stocked with everything her team needed for their trips. She’d taken great pride in not only having enough food, gear, and equipment, but ensuring they had what each individual on the ship liked. Plus a few pretty and fun things to help make things feel homier. Their long journeys in space, far from family and friends, could be tough. Sometimes having a little something special and familiar made all the difference.

She understood that better than ever now.

On the far side of the market, the stalls were built into the rock face. Evie arched her head, looking up at the sheer wall of dark rock that rose straight into the air. Amazing.

An older lady at a nearby stall was busy organizing things on her table. They were carvings.

Wow. Evie studied the artwork. Some were made of wood, others carved from rock. Some were of people or animals, others just pretty orbs.

“Are you the artist?” Evie asked.

“Yes.” The woman’s hair was pure white, her face lined with wrinkles. She wore a lush, brown fur coat. “It keeps me out of trouble.”

Evie picked up a sphere. It was made of gold rock, that had black cracks through it. It made her think of Graylan’s golden eyes.

“Everything is beautiful,” Evie said.

“You have to pick just the right piece of stone or wood. Then let it tell its story.” The woman touched the orb, and a faint trickle of power filled the air. The gold stone glowed like it was lit with an inner light.

“Oh,” Evie breathed. “Do you just sell at the market, or across the planet?”

“Just here. I’m too old to bother with sales agreements and finding customers.”

Evie ran her hand over the sphere. “I think all of this is too good not to share with others.”

“Thank you.” The woman studied her. “You might like this.” She grabbed another carving as Evie set that orb down.

This one was the figure of a man. No, a warrior. He held two huge swords in his hands.

She jolted when she realized it was Graylan.

It was carved from a dense, black stone, but the hard lines of his face were obvious.

“It’s beautiful.” He was beautiful, in a dangerous way. She stroked the dark stone.

The woman watched her with a smile. “Keep it.” She reached down and touched it. The eyes of the statue started to glow gold, and strange, aquamarine-colored tattoos appeared on his back.

“I couldn’t.”

The old woman sniffed. “I’m old. No one argues with me anymore. Keep it.”

“All right, then.” Evie slid it in her pocket. “Thank you.”

Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground.

Evie gasped. Panicked cries cut across the market. The older woman gripped the table to keep her balance.

“Too many tremors lately.” The woman sniffed. “Lady Taln is unhappy.”

“Lady Taln?”

“The soul of the planet.”

The group of schoolchildren appeared nearby, all looking shaken. One little girl was crying. The two teachers were trying to calm them.

Then, a low rumble of sound echoed through the market like a moan. It raised the hairs on the back of Evie’s neck.

She frowned. Suddenly, a second tremor hit. This one almost knocked her over.

Terrified screams broke out across the market. She saw people pointing into the air.

She looked up.

Her chest locked. Oh. No.

High above, on the mountain towering over the market, rocks began sliding down the slope.

Her heart leaped into her mouth.

Fuck. If the side of the mountain gave way, it would bury them.

“THERE ISN’T enough information to go on,” Rhain said.

Gray released a long breath. He kept picturing Evie’s face. She’d thought he hadn’t believed her.

“Evie doesn’t seem the type to exaggerate,” he said. “She’s afraid of whatever this device might be.”

“Maybe she’ll remember more in time,” Rhain said. “If she does when she’s back on Zhalto, I’ll let you know.”

Gray’s fingers curled into a fist. He hated the reminder that she was leaving.

What the hell had she seen in her nightmare? And was it real?

Brodin paced past Gray’s desk, all contained energy. He flicked through some paperwork on the glossy surface.

“Potential brides?” He tilted the photos toward Gray.

Gray shrugged. “It’s about time I marry and have an heir.”

Rhain’s mouth hardened. “Don’t you want to fall in love?”

“Find your mate,” Brodin said.

“We don’t have mates here on Taln.” There were legends, of course, of Talnians who meshed. Whose abilities clicked so uniquely they formed two parts of a whole—meshmates. But as far as he knew, there hadn’t been a meshing in decades. “And no, love isn’t something I’m interested in.”

His brothers just stared at him.

He released a breath. “I’ll find a suitable wife, one who I respect, and do my duty.”

Rhain and Brodin shared a look.

“We can’t all fall for women who crash out of the sky,” Gray muttered.

“Well, if you think you’re hiding your attraction to Evie, you’re lying to yourself,” Rhain said.

Gray stiffened. “There is nothing between Evie and me.”

Brodin looked like he was fighting a smile. He grunted.

“She’s leaving for Zhalto,” Gray insisted. “She’s healing.”

Rhain arched a brow. “Any other excuses?”

“She’s not what I’m looking for in a wife.”

“Mmm.” Brodin picked up a polished, glass paperweight and studied it.

All of a sudden, Gray felt a surge of energy shoot from the ground into his body.

He frowned, just as another tremor hit.

“I won’t miss these gorr-cursed quakes when I leave.” Rhain gripped the back of a chair.

The tremor stopped, but a second later, the sound of running footsteps caught Gray’s ear. One of his aides, Basa, burst into the room, his wide face ashen.

“My Lord, there’s been movement on the sensors on Mount Scoria.”

Gray tensed. Mount Scoria loomed right over the heart of Gearma. They monitored it closely.

“How bad?” he asked.

“Enough to have the scientists worried. If there is a larger quake, it could cause a landslide.”

Gray cursed and turned to his brothers. “I need to deal with this.”

A deep rumble echoed outside.

Whirling, Gray sprinted for the doorway and onto the balcony. His brothers were one step behind him.

The large, spacious balcony curved along the side of the palace. Gray moved along until he had a good view of the city center.

No. Rocks were tumbling down the mountainside, right toward the main square. One face of Mount Scoria bulged behind the rockslide, ready to let go.

Gorr.

Behind him, Brodin cursed. “Half the cliff face looks ready to come down.”

As though his brother had uttered an omen, Gray watched the bulge on the side of the mountain swell.

“Landslide!” Rhain yelled.

There were people in the busy market below. Some wouldn’t make it out.

Energy charged through Gray. He gripped the stone railing and leaped over.

“Graylan!” Rhain shouted.

There were too many people down below, so he couldn’t risk drawing the ground up. Instead, he let out a strong pulse of energy. The snow and a layer of dirt shot up off the garden. It whirled around him like a whirlwind, slowing his fall.

When his feet hit the ground, he broke into a run. He saw some palace guards at the main gate.

“Obsidian guards to the market square,” he ordered. “Now!”

Behind him, he saw Rhain leap off the balcony in an eddy of energy. Brodin leaped as well, landing with animal grace.

Gray didn’t wait for them. They’d catch up.

He pumped his arms and legs, sprinting into the city streets. People darted out of his way as they evacuated the market square.

The deep rumble was getting louder. He glanced up. The side of the mountain had begun its downward slide.

His gut clenched. He broke into the square as smaller rocks were pelting panicking shoppers.

A large boulder thundered down, crashing into a stall, splintering it to pieces.

Choruses of frightened screams echoed in his ears. Then, he heard the higher-pitched cries of children. He swiveled, and across the market, right near the cliff face, he saw them.

Gray ran, dodging stalls and people. He leaped over an overturned stall.

Then he spotted Evie.

No.

She was right next to the children, yelling at them, as she helped an older Talnian woman who looked shaken and disheveled.

“Come on.” Evie yelled at the kids, waving her free arm. “Move!”

A rock hit one of the teachers and a child. They went down in a tangle of limbs.

The landslide thundered downward, all raw, brutal power.

Evie and the others were right in its path.

Gray gritted his teeth and threw his arms up. Rocks burst up out of the cliff side, catching some of the falling debris.

But there was too much of it.

It was too powerful to stop it completely.

He absorbed more power and roared through his teeth. More ledges burst from the cliff side, catching some of the rocks and soil.

But while he managed to slow it a little, the rockslide didn’t stop.

Some of the children were frozen in terror. Then, a small, curvy figure leaped over a pile of rocks.

No. His blood turned to ice. Evie had gotten the old woman to safety and was running back toward the kids. Back toward the mass of rock and dirt barreling down on them.

Gray threw up more rocks, trying to hold back the landslide.

Trying to save her.

But it wouldn’t be enough.

Evie reached the children. She shoved some, sending them running, but then she looked up, her face draining of color.

The injured teacher staggered to her feet.

Evie grabbed the woman’s arm, then she threw her other arm up, her fingers spread.

The rockslide poured off the slope…

Despair filled Gray. They’d all be engulfed, and he’d been close enough to watch, yet too far away to help.

Stone and dirt rained down.

Then, the debris stopped in mid-air.

Gray’s eyes widened. What the gorr?

Rock and soil piled up, as though it were sitting on an invisible platform.

His gaze cut to Evie. She was still touching the teacher’s arm. The woman’s body was swaying, her face like ash.

Meanwhile, Evie’s face was contorted with pain. She let go of the teacher, arms above her head as she strained to hold the debris up.

Gray’s obsidian guards and his brothers sprinted into the market.

“Get the children and any other people out.” Gray leaped over the fallen rocks and ran toward Evie.

Her nose was bleeding, her arms shaking.

“Evie—”

“Can’t… Hold it much…” she pulled in a gasping breath “…longer.”

Suddenly, the teacher collapsed.

An obsidian guard darted forward and caught the woman.

Evie wavered.

Gray lunged for her. He wrapped his arms around her. He looked up, his gut hard. It looked like a cloud of dirt and rock hovering over half the market.

If it fell, they’d be crushed and suffocated.

“Take it,” he said. “Take some of my power.”

She sucked in a breath, and he felt her draw from him. The lines of strain on her face eased a little.

He had no idea how she was doing this. To hold back that much mass took immense power.

Gray raised his hands and added his power to hers.

Gorr. He gasped. He felt the enormous weight of the rock pushing down on him. He couldn’t hold this for long either.

Not without tapping more dangerous powers he’d vowed never to use again.

“Argh.” She bit her lip, blood welling. More leaked from her nose.

She was killing herself. “You have to let go.”

“The kids…”

He glanced over and saw Brodin with two children in his arms. Rhain was ushering the last ones away.

“They’re clear. Come on.” He pulled her hand.

“Can’t. I can’t move and hold it. Go. Then I’ll run.”

“Evie,” he growled.

“Go, Gray.” A muscle in her jaw clenched.

No. He wasn’t leaving her.

He spotted a large flat rock in the rubble nearby. He lifted a palm and the rock rose up.

He moved it over them like a shield.

“Evie, let go and run.”

She lifted her head. There was so much pain on her face.

He glanced over and saw his people standing nearby watching her…with fear.

They were afraid of her power.

Of what she could do.

“I’ll—” She lost control.

The rocks rained down.

Keeping the large rock up, Gray lifted her off her feet and ran.

The rocks pelted down on them. He heard Evie cry out, but kept running. The pressure on his rock shield was immense. With a roar, Gray thrust his power outward. It vibrated through him.

He was almost to his guards.

Soil and mud rushed around his legs, up to his knees.

Gorr.

Then Brodin was there, helping him out of the slide zone. Gray let the large rock fall to the ground.

“Are you all right?” Brodin asked.

Gray nodded and looked down at the woman in his arms.

Nearby, his guards were standing, stoic and blank faced. But the civilians all stared at Evie, with a mixture of awe and terror.

“And Evie?” Brodin asked.

She was limp in Gray’s arms. Blood stained the side of her head, and trickled from her nose.

“She’s hurt. I need to get her to the palace doctors.”

CHAPTER SIX

Evie awoke, wondering why the nightmares hadn’t come.

A featherlight touch brushed her shoulder and arm. Fingers stroking her.

Mmm. That felt so nice. The fingers were warm, with a faint trace of calluses. It had been so long since she’d been touched for any other reason except to be hurt.

Memories flooded in like a tsunami.

Gearma.

The market.

The landslide.

Her eyes popped open.

A large room came into focus. Long, tall windows gave glimpses of the mountains, and she saw multiple pieces of what looked like medical equipment.

“There you are.”

The deep voice made her turn her head.

Graylan sat beside her, stroking her arm.

She licked her lips, trying to get her brain working. She was laid out on a large slab of dark rock. A clear canopy covered her body to mid-chest. Dozens of lights on it blinked randomly, and writing she didn’t recognize appeared on a small screen. Talnian symbols. Her embedded translator helped her understand and communicate in different languages, but it couldn’t help her with reading text. Two metal objects, circular in shape, were pressed to her collarbones.

“Where—?”

“You’re in the hospital wing. You were injured. Don’t move.” He stroked his palm over her hair and raised his voice. “Kuvira, she’s conscious.”

He kept stroking her arm and she liked it. It anchored her.

She liked that she didn’t feel so alone.

A tall woman came over. She had Talnian looks, with long, dark hair in a braid, and a thin face. She wore long, clear gloves up to her elbows. She reached out and touched Evie’s temples.

Evie tensed.

“It’s okay,” Graylan murmured.

The gloves lit up, and she realized they were some sort of medical device. Her skin was warm where the gloves touched her.

“Her concussion is healed.” The doctor quickly lowered her hands, and stepped back. She didn’t look Evie directly in the eye. In fact, she appeared nervous.

Evie turned her head to look around the room. Other medical staff were present, all keeping their distance.

They seemed nervous, as well.

Her muscles tensed. They were afraid of her.

“It’s okay,” Graylan murmured. “Easy, Evie.”

She looked back at him. His gaze was intense, but he didn’t look afraid. In fact, he looked proud.

“What—?” She swallowed. “Oh God, the teacher in the market. I had to use her powers. Is she okay?”

“She’s alive. She’s weak, but will recover.”

“I hurt her.”

“You saved lives, Evie. So many. What you did was remarkable.”

“I couldn’t let those people die.”

“You showed immense power.” He tilted his head, casting a quick glance at his medical team. “Power always makes people nervous.”

He sounded like he spoke from experience.

“I don’t want it,” she whispered. “I want to be boring, normal Evie Mason again.”

Something shifted in his gaze. “The doctors ran some more tests while you were healing. Evie. There are some special markers in your blood that are different to Talnian blood.”

Evie swallowed. “Naberius used my blood. A lot. He said it made his most impossible experiments possible. It caused less rejection when he messed around with different test subjects.”

“My doctors believe it is something unique to your species, although it isn’t present in Mal or Poppy’s blood.”

“Okay.” She bit her lip. “I don’t think Naberius meant to give me abilities. It was an accidental by-product of his experiments.”

Anger flashed on Gray’s face. “Given that Mal and Poppy developed powers here in the Sarkany System, there must be something unique about your physiology that made it happen.” He paused. “Whatever Naberius did to you…the changes are permanent, Evie. They’re on a cellular level. Your abilities are here to stay.”

The rage rose up and struck. “Well, I don’t want them.”

She tried to sit up and shove off the medical cover. She grabbed the circular devices on her skin, ripped them off, and threw them. They pinged on the stone floor.

Graylan reached for her, and she grabbed his wrist.

“I don’t want to be an abomination. I see the way they’re looking at me.”

Items around them on the benches and shelves started rattling. She realized she’d absorbed some of his powers inadvertently.

She didn’t care.

Behind her, gasps sounded.

“Everyone out,” Graylan barked.

Evie didn’t watch them leave. The shelves were still rattling, and she drew in some deep breaths. She knew she should calm herself, but a part of her didn’t want to.

She was sick and tired of holding everything in.

Graylan watched her steadily. “I know how you feel.”

“How could you possibly know? You’re a king. You’ve had everything you’ve ever wanted all your life.”

“I know, because I have power too, which is both a blessing and a curse.”

Something in his voice gave her pause, and she stared at him.

“And I know what it’s like to be trapped,” he continued.

She bit her lip. “Trapped?”

“When I was eighteen, my father lured me into the mountains. He kept me trapped there, his best fighters hunting me.”

Evie gasped. He’d mentioned before that Zavir had tried to kill him and his mother. How could a father do that to his teenage son? Her dad would never be classed as the best father in the world, but he’d looked after her. He’d done his best and loved her the best he could.

“And while Zavir’s hunters came after me,” Graylan continued, “he tried to kill my mother.”

“I’m sorry,” Evie breathed. “Was your mother okay?”

“She survived. Thanks to the palace guards and her own abilities. She retired to the coast, years ago. She prefers a simple life, and hates palace politics.”

“I’m glad she was all right.”

“I wanted you to know that I understand the anger and rage at being helpless, at being trapped. But you’re free now, Evie. Things aren’t the same, I know. But your life is yours to do with it what you will. To make of it what you want. Use your anger to fuel that, not destroy it.”

Her hands clenched into fists. That was easier said than done.

“Come with me.” He held out a hand.

Evie stared at it a beat, then set her fingers in his. She felt the tingle of warmth and power.

He pulled her to her feet. She realized her ruined, dirty clothes from the market were gone, and the medical team had dressed her in a simple tunic and pants, but no shoes. She patted her pockets. There was no sign of the statue the old lady in the market had given her, and with a pang, she guessed it was buried under mud and rocks.

Gray tugged her through the hospital wing and out into a wide corridor. Even though her feet were bare, the polished stone floor was warm.

They took several turns, and he led her into a large room. It was decorated in darker tones. Navy-blue walls, with touches of copper metal. Wide couches and chairs were all covered in brown leather. There was a large rug in front of a huge, roaring fire.

Movement caught her eye, and she spotted a giant hawk perched on a metal stand. It had huge claws, glossy brown and white feathers, and its yellow eyes stared at her unblinkingly.

“Oh, that’s Taron. Ignore him. He’s rarely friendly.” Graylan sat on one of the couches.

“What is this place?” she asked.

“My own private retreat. No work, no people, no guests. Just mine.”

She sat in an armchair beside him. Beneath her, the leather was buttery and soft, and she wondered briefly what animal it had come from.

“Sometimes, you just need to block out the world for a while,” he said. “Take a break from everything. Even your own thoughts.”

“It’s not always easy to do.”

“I know.” He cocked his head. “And I imagine it’s impossible to do in a cell.”

She swallowed, looked away. “I don’t want to talk about Abiosis.”

“Good, because like I said, you need a break.” He picked up a small orb off the table.

It looks like a fortune teller’s crystal ball, but smaller.

“Here.” He set it on her palm.

She turned the orb in her hand. It was so smooth.

“What does it do?” She smiled. “Hopefully not tell the future.”

He cocked his head in question.

“Scammers on Earth pretend to be fortunetellers. They use crystal balls like this to pretend to see the future.”

“Oh, no. This is called a selen. It’s a piece of tech created here on Taln from a special crystal mined in our deepest mining operations. Once you connect to it, you can imagine anything you want, and it immerses you in it.”

Her lips parted and she turned the orb over. “Like creating a virtual reality.”

“Yes,” he replied.

“We have something similar on Earth.”

“Close your eyes, Evie. Imagine some place you’d like to be.”

She let her eyes drift closed. She remembered a holiday in Mexico when she’d been on R&R once. The white-sand beach had been the most beautiful thing she’d seen.

She felt the selen warming her palm. Then she opened her eyes and gasped.

Blue waters spread out in front of her. The gentle brush of the waves on the sand echoed in her ears. She could feel the sand under her bare feet.

When she looked down, she saw she was wearing a tiny, blue bikini and a warm breeze tugged at her hair. She lifted her hand and touched the strands. Her hair was longer, brushing her shoulders. How she used to wear it before her abduction.

Suddenly, a cold Heineken appeared in her hand, and she laughed. She lifted the bottle and sipped. It tasted exactly like she remembered.

This was incredible.

As she walked along the beach, she felt her muscles relax. It was so realistic. Like she was really on the beach and back on Earth.

Like she was her normal self. No powers. No nightmares.

She turned to look at the water and breathed deeply.

But something pinged in the back of her head.

This wasn’t real.

She blew out a breath.

Evie had always been practical, a realist. It was what had made her so good at being a logistics manager. She was good at facing the facts, and working out what she needed.

When she had been locked in that cell on Abiosis, she’d spent hours with her eyes closed, pretending to be somewhere else.

But she never forgot what was real.

She scanned the blue water again. This was nice, but it wasn’t reality. Nice for a break, a quick fantasy, but facing reality, no matter how hard it got, was better than pretending.

She closed her eyes, then opened them.

Graylan was watching her from his seat, his hands steepled under his chin.

She swallowed, fighting the faint sense of confusion as her mind came back to the darkened, masculine room in the Talnian palace.

Taron fluttered his wings, resettling on his perch.

She set the orb down. “That was incredible.”

“You seem relaxed.”

She nodded. “I imagine it could become very addictive.”

“Yes, they can be. Some people refuse to leave the dream. Most selen have settings to ease people out when they’ve been in there too long. Disconnecting quickly can cause injuries to the brain.”

Yikes. Evie eyed the orb with more respect.

There was a knock at the door, and a flash of irritation crossed Graylan’s face.

“Enter,” he said.

“My Lord.” A man in a palace uniform appeared. His black tunic top was edged in gold.

“What is it, Basa?” Graylan asked.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there are several items of business waiting in your office.”

With a sigh, Graylan rose.

“Duty calls,” she said.

“Unlike the selen, I can never disconnect from being king. Stay here, Evie. Relax.” He leaned over, and let his thumb trace along her cheekbone.

God, she felt that small touch like he’d stroked her in more intimate places.

“There’s lots to enjoy here.” He straightened, a faint smile on his lips. “Just don’t try to pet Taron.”

“Thank you, Graylan.”

“Thank you for what you did for my people today.” With a nod, he strode out after the aide.

Evie rose and circled the room, but without Graylan there, anxiety crept back in.

She kept replaying the rockslide over in her head, the looks on the people’s faces in the hospital.

Standing at the window, she wrapped her arms around herself.

Pain flared in her chest. She didn’t belong here.

She knew she was causing problems for Graylan. She was supposed to leave for Zhalto tomorrow, and to be honest, that left her even more unsettled.

Her throat tightened and her chest got tighter and tighter.

“Don’t have a panic attack, Evie,” she whispered.

The door opened, and a palace worker holding cleaning supplies entered. When she saw Evie, her eyes widened, and she dropped her gear with a clatter.

“I’m s-sorry.” The woman bowed her head. “I thought the room was empty.”

“It’s fine,” Evie said.

The woman’s hands fluttered back up.

God, she was afraid. Of her. A sick feeling turned over in her stomach.

The woman backed up a step. “I’ll…just come back later.” The woman turned and ran.

Evie pressed a fist to her chest and looked out the window. She hated the idea that people here were afraid of her.

She looked into the mountains, and the sensation in her chest grew. Like a tug. Like she was being drawn out there.

There was something in the wilderness, calling her. Was it the weapon?

She sucked in some breaths, but the need to flee didn’t lessen.

She needed to escape the palace.

She needed to be free.

And she knew the device she’d seen was a dangerous weapon, and it was out there, somewhere.

Evie straightened. This was a way she could help. Something she could do.

She’d find Zavir’s weapon.

GRAYLAN LIFTED his organizer and signed some documents on the screen. He approved a budget for more starship design research.

He set the thin device down on the desk.

“Conqueror.” Basa placed another stack of paperwork on the corner of the desk. “These are more potential brides for you to assess.”

Gray kept his face blank. He had no desire to look at them. Before his most recent clash with Zavir, he’d tentatively decided on Lady Jadaline from the northern city of Sintra.

He sat back in his chair.

Now, he had no desire to marry her.

Charno stepped into the room, followed by Brodin and Rhain. All three men looked grim.

“Basa, that’s all for now.” Gray dismissed the man.

The aide bowed his head and hurried out.

Gray leaned back in his chair. “What’s wrong?”

“We received some intel,” Charno said. “From some of our spies on Sarkan.”

Gray stiffened.

“My spies have confirmed the information,” Rhain said.

“Tell me,” Gray demanded.

“Zavir has put a bounty on Evie,” Rhain said. “He wants her back.”

Gray sucked in a breath and stood. His chair scraped against the floor. “A bounty?”

“A big one,” Brodin added.

Gray slammed his fist on the desk. “She is not going back. I won’t let gorr-cursed Zavir put her back in a cage.”

Rhain watched him for a beat. “None of us are going to let that happen.”

Gray raked his hands through his hair, trying to find some calm.

“We need to tell her,” Brodin said.

Stalking across the room, Gray cursed. “She’s having nightmares, still coming to terms with her powers. With what happened today in the market—” he whirled “—she’s on edge. This might tip her over.”

“She’s tough,” Rhain said. “These women from Earth are the toughest creatures I’ve ever met.”

Brodin nodded. “She survived almost two years in a cell. She’ll face this.”

“Is there any more information on the bounty?” Gray asked.

Charno nodded. “Zavir has sent his best hunters.” The senior guard paused. “Including one called Kaigan Sull.”

Everything in Gray went still. Talock Sull had been a ruthless, ambitious hunter who’d kept Gray trapped in the mountains so many years ago.

Gray had managed to kill all of Zavir’s people over that terrifying week. Sull had been the last. A moment Gray had never, ever forgotten.

“Talock Sull’s son, I presume?”

Charno nodded.

“Any indication he or any others are on Taln?”

“Our planetary sensors haven’t picked up any unlawful entries.” Charno’s mouth flattened. “Although you know there have been some glitches.”

Yes, they’d had some trouble with the planetary sensor array during routine maintenance, but the scientists were working to fix it.

Enough problems to allow some bounty hunters to slip in? Maybe.

Graylan turned to his brothers. “I’m not sure it’s safe to move Evie to Zhalto right now.”

Rhain clasped his hands behind his back. “You could be right. We haven’t kept those plans secret, and she’d be an easier target en route.”

“I’ll tell her,” Gray said.

“We’ll tell her,” Brodin said. “Then hand her off to the women to help her, if she’s upset.”

“She’s in my den.” Gray strode out, his brothers behind him.

When he pushed open the doors to the den, he found it empty. He felt a stab of disappointment that she hadn’t stayed.

“She must be in her room.”

But after finding her bedroom empty, and discovering the women hadn’t seen her, tension filled Gray. He strode back to his office.

“Charno,” Gray bellowed.

His senior obsidian guard strode in. “My Lord?”

“I can’t find Evie. I need you to check the cameras.”

The palace had discreetly placed cameras in the halls, common areas, and exits.

Charno pulled out his organizer and tapped. “I’ve got her.”

Gray, Brodin, and Rhain huddled around the guard. They watched several images showing Evie leaving Gray’s den over an hour before. She’d moved around the palace. First, she’d stopped in her room, then the kitchens.

She was holding a bag.

“She’s packing,” Brodin said.

Gray watched as she walked out with the pack on her back. She also wore a warm coat lined with fur. The tyber shed its fur every year, and it was excellent for coats and clothing.

Then he saw her head into the gardens and disappear.

“Anything else?” Gray’s pulse was thundering.

She’d left. She gorring left.

“Here.” Charno tipped his organizer for them to see. “We have a camera on the road into the city.”

Evie walking past. He saw her pause, and glance back at the palace.

There was a sad look on her face.

Then she lifted her chin and kept walking into the city.

“I’ll try to track her,” Charno said. “Find out where she’s heading.”

Gray fought to keep his breathing calm. “We have to find her.”

Gorr. Zavir’s hunters were after her, and now she was out there, all alone.

“Mal is going to lose it,” Rhain said.

“This is my planet,” Gray said. “I know it best.”

He met their gazes.

“I’m going to find her. Alone.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Evie moved out of the city, her steps lightening.

She studied the sea of trees ahead, and smiled. She breathed deeply. The air was so fresh.

She hitched up her backpack, and headed into the forest.

At first glance, many of the trees seemed similar to the ones on Earth. But on closer inspection, some were very different. One species had long, slim trunks and silver bark, spearing high into the sky. Others had dark purple ivy dripping off them, and one tree had pure white leaves.

The rich scent of the vegetation filled her senses.

She trekked on. She felt a prick of guilt about leaving. Everyone had tried to help her—Poppy, Mal, Annora, Graylan and the men.

Lifting her chin, she kept walking.

She needed to get away. And she was going to find evidence of Zavir’s weapon.

She’d find out what the hell it did.

She rubbed her chest and frowned. She still felt that weird tug. Like a pull of energy was drawing her into the mountains.

She’d follow it and see what she found.

With another deep breath, Evie lifted her face to the sky and felt truly free. No walls. No prison cells. No watchful or fearful faces.

She started to run.

She’d run competitively at school, and had kept it up as an adult for fitness and enjoyment. She lengthened her stride, her muscles warming up. She’d run on a treadmill when she’d been working on the exploration ship, but it wasn’t the same as running outside.

Soon, she fell into the zone. She followed a narrow path through the trees.

She passed a tree with pretty red-and-yellow leaves. As she ran by, a flock of small birds took flight from the branches, circling around her before they took off skyward.

Evie ran for hours, until she realized she really needed to stop and eat.

She came out on a cliff edge, and sat on a rock. The view of the valley and mountains below was stunning. In the distance, she saw a field of flowers in a brilliant, happy yellow.

She opened her pack and pulled out some food. She’d raided the kitchens before she’d left. As a logistics manager, she was good at prepping.

She munched on some bread and hard cheese, then pulled out a cute, round fruit with pale-orange skin. It was juicy and sweet. As she took a swig of water, she knew she’d need to find more water as she traveled, but she was sure it wouldn’t be too hard.

After her brief rest, she set off again. The power inside her was quiet for the moment. Biting her lip, she pushed all thoughts out of her head, and ran.

The trail moved upward, and a light sweat covered her face.

Okay, she couldn’t push all thoughts out of her head.

She couldn’t block Graylan’s handsome face from her mind. This obsession she had with him would fade in time. She hoped.

As she jogged on, the terrain changed. It flattened out, and the trees changed. They were much lower in height.

The temperature increased. She wiped the sweat off her face. Heat was actually radiating off the ground. She stopped to pull off her coat, and tucked it into her pack. It was definitely hotter.

The trees were thinning, and she smelled a burning scent.

She stepped out of the forest, into a flat, open area. She gasped. The ground was covered in pools of brilliant, blue water, steam rising off them. In some areas, the ground bubbled with mud.

It was a geothermal area.

A path twisted through the pools.

Wow, the water looked like it was a sheet of blue jewel. She wondered if it was toxic.

An animal darted out of the bush, giving her a small start. It paused, and she realized it was a mink-ferret creature like the one she’d seen in the market in Gearma.

This one had a sleek, black coat. It darted again, paused, then raised its head and eyed Evie.

It showed no fear.

“Hello, there,” she said.

The animal cocked its head, then darted toward a pool, leaped, and dived in.

It splashed happily, making Evie laugh.

“I guess the water’s safe, after all.” She crouched by the end of one pool and scooped up a handful of water.

It was warm, but it didn’t hurt her.

Smiling a goodbye to the cute animal, she wandered along the path through the pools. A giant mountain loomed in the distance, its peak covered in snow.

Was that where this weird pull was taking her?

Suddenly, a wild flutter of wings filled the air. She turned, spotting a flock of birds taking flight from the trees behind her.

Like something had scared them.

Her belly tightened, and she scanned the tree line. She knew Taln had some predators, but from what she’d heard from Dari, they were much farther north. She’d heard the forest around Gearma was safe.

Still, she picked up speed, moving faster between the pools.

It was probably nothing.

But as she walked, she felt a prick on the back of her neck.

Like something, or someone, was watching her.

She moved faster, almost tripping into a pool. She paused, trying to get her racing pulse under control.

Screw this. If someone attacked her, she was going to fight back. She was no one’s victim. Not anymore.

The path through the pools got narrower. Mud sucked at her boots, slowing her down.

The feel of being watched increased.

Anger burned inside her, and her power rose, coiling around her.

She wished whoever the hell was following her would just stop hiding.

Her foot slipped in the mud, and she caught herself before she landed face first in the muddy pool.

She’d had enough.

Evie spun. “Come on, you coward! Don’t just watch me like some creeper.”

She waited. She heard the wind in the nearby trees, the bubbling of the mud.

And nothing else.

Maybe she’d just imagined it.

Then, a tall figure dressed in black emerged from the trees in the distance.

He was too far away to get a clear look, but her chest locked. Heat shimmered off the hot pools, obscuring her view of him. She could tell he was tall and muscular, and he walked with powerful grace. His three-quarter coat flared out behind him, and a hood was pulled up over his head.

He radiated danger.

Shit. Evie broke into a run. She picked up speed, and dared a quick glance back.

Behind her, her hunter started running as well.

Oh, shit, shit, shit.

She darted through the winding path as fast as she could, but he was gaining.

She decided to ditch her pack, and dropped it on the path. Then she turned and plunged across a mud pool. The mud rose to her knees, and it was sticky, slowing her down, but the path was just ahead. If she could reach it, then she could run for the trees.

Her heart was racing, she could hardly draw a breath.

“Evie!”

The sound of her name startled her.

On the next step, mud splattered up her front.

She stopped, skidding a little, then looked back.

Her mouth dropped open. “Graylan?”

He stood, knee-deep, on the other side of the mud pool. He pushed the hood of his coat down.

She made an enraged sound. The fear inside burst like a bomb. “You scared the shit out of me!”

“Sorry. I just wanted to get close. I didn’t want to lose you.”

He stood there, looking so composed and handsome. Meanwhile, she was sweaty, covered in mud, and mad as hell.

She crouched, scooped up some mud, then threw it.

It slapped against his chest, some smaller clumps hitting his cheek.

He looked at her in shock.

She glared back. “You asshole.”

GRAY STARED at the mud on his chest. He reached up and swiped at his cheek.

A disheveled Evie glared at him.

“You scared me,” she said again.

He realized now that he probably should’ve announced himself earlier. He’d just been so glad to find her and see that she was all right.

He touched the mud on his coat. “No one’s ever thrown mud at me before.”

“You deserved it,” she snapped. “I thought a wild animal, or someone was hunting me.”

“Someone was. Me.”

“I wanted some freedom.” She threw her arms out. “With no one staring at me like I’m some dangerous freak.”

“You worried us,” he said. “You worried me.”

She shot him a mutinous look. “I’m not sorry. I can’t believe you caught up to me so quickly.”

“You need to come back to the palace.”

Her green eyes narrowed. “No.”

“Evie—”

“You might not believe me, but there is something out there.” She pointed to the mountains. “A weapon.”

He frowned.

“And I’m done following orders,” she added.

Gray let his frown turn to a scowl. “This is for your safety. I got word that—”

Splat.

The mud hit him directly in the face.

Splat. Splat.

More mud hit him.

Gray sucked in a breath.

She was standing there, hands muddy, and despite her disheveled state, she still looked beautiful.

He swiped the mud off his chest and growled. “You did not just do that.”

She shot him a smile. “You’re not my king or conqueror.” She crouched and scooped up more mud.

He let loose with another growl, and lifted his hand. Around him, mud rose up in the air.

Evie straightened, her eyes going wide.

Gray let the mud fly.

It pelted her. She squealed, trying to turn and run.

He let more mud swirl into the air and stream at her.

She spun. “Graylan!”

Then she was laughing.

His chest tightened, and he realized he’d do a lot to hear that sound.

Smiling, he walked toward her. Her hair and half her face were coated with mud. She smiled, and reached out and took his hand.

Then her smile turned cunning.

A second later, he felt the draw of energy. Mud rose up behind her.

His eyes narrowed. “Evie—”

The mud pelted him.

Gray threw his arms up to protect his face.

She took off running, laughing again.

He gave chase, slipping and sliding through the sloppy muck. He sent a stream of the mud into her back.

Her laughter just increased, echoing over the geothermal pools.

He gained on her and tackled her. They hit the mud with a squelch, and he turned her and lowered his body on top of hers, keeping her pinned.

She was smiling, eyes shining through the mud coating her face.

“You don’t know how to treat a king.” His tone was teasing.

She snorted. “King. Schming. And like I said, you’re not my king.”

He studied her face. He was worried he might very much like to be her king.

As he stared at her, her laughter died, and a new heat filled her eyes.

“Graylan…”

“Evie.” He cupped her face, rubbed her cheekbone. “I can’t fight this any longer. I don’t want to.”

She sucked in a breath. Then she lifted her head and pressed her mouth to his.

Their lips meshed, tongues tangled.

He kissed her deeply and furiously. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, exploring the silky heat. His cock hardened, his body vibrating with anticipation.

She could hardly miss the rock-hard cock pressing into her lower belly.

Evie clung to him, kissing him back wildly.

Gray growled low in his throat, need throbbing through him. The taste of her ignited things deep inside.

Her hands clung to him, her body pressing up into his.

The squelch of mud penetrated. Along with the realization that they were out in the open.

The need to get her safe cut through his desire.

Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and looked into her pretty green eyes.

“We’re unsafe here. We need to get into cover.” He looked down at the mud coating their bodies. “And get cleaned up.”

A giggle escaped her.

He smiled back at her. “Although, you’re quite attractive covered in mud.”

“Liar.”

He cupped her cheek, his smile fading. “You’re beautiful, Evie, no matter what.”

Her smile faded as well, and her gaze traced his face. “Gray, I’m not going back to Gearma.”

He frowned. “You have to. There’s—”

“No.” She shook her head. “That weapon, it’s here on Taln. I know it.”

“That’s not possible. We have planetary sensors…”

When he broke off, she raised a brow. “What?”

“There have been glitches in our sensor systems over the last few weeks. We thought they were caused by recent maintenance.”

Her eyes widened. “But maybe that’s not it?”

Gray pushed himself off her and held out a hand. He helped her up.

“No, there is a chance the sensor malfunctions have a purpose.” So people could slip onto Taln unnoticed. “Why are you so certain the weapon’s on Taln?”

She rubbed the center of her chest. “I feel this…pull. A throb of energy. It’s coming from somewhere in the mountains. I need to find out.” Her gaze moved toward the largest peak in the Dacite Mountains, Mount Umber.

Gray frowned. She wasn’t safe out here. If the planetary sensors were down, then Zavir’s hunters could also already be here.

“Gray, this is important,” she pleaded. “To your entire planet.”

It was the first time she’d shortened his name.

He grabbed her hand. “And this is important to you.”

She nodded. “I was trapped. Helpless. Useless for so long. I need to help. I need to do something important.”

He blew out a breath. “All right. We’ll check it out.”

Her smile was brighter than the sun. “Thank you.”

He hated that he was going to have to shatter her sense of freedom and tell her that she was being hunted.

Not that anyone was touching her. Gray would make sure of it.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“We need to get clean.”

Evie watched Graylan scan the geothermal pools.

That was an understatement. They were both covered in mud.

She let herself think about what they’d been doing in the mud. Heat snaked through her. She’d had some decent kisses in her life, but that one…

The hottest and wildest by far.

She felt a throb low in her belly.

“Over there.” He pointed. “That pool on the far edge and rimmed by trees. It has the most cover. You go, I’ll get our packs.”

With a nod, she headed off toward the pool, boots squelching.

Finally, the mud gave way to more solid ground.

The pool he’d picked was a perfect topaz blue. At the edge, Evie kicked off her boots. She cleaned them off the best she could, grateful the mud hadn’t gotten inside.

Then, after a brief hesitation, she shucked her pants and shirt, leaving only her underwear on. The cool air made her shiver, and she quickly dunked her clothes in the water. The mud washed off, and she wrung them out and hung them on some tree branches.

Finally, she stepped into the water. Mmm, it was so warm. She moved deeper, splashing handfuls onto her body. Mud streaked the top of the pool.

She ducked her head under, running her hands through her hair. Next, she slipped her tank-style bra and panties off, and laid them out on a rock.

The entire time she was trying not to think about being naked while Graylan was in close proximity.

When she turned, he was standing at the edge of the pool watching her.

The heat was back in his eyes. Her belly contracted, her nipples forming hard peaks despite the warm water.

Then he started stripping his clothes off.

She couldn’t look away. She watched as his coat and shirt came off, uncovering bronze skin and a ripped abdomen.

God, she wanted to touch him. Hell, she wanted to bite him.

After he’d washed off his coat and shirt, he started to unfasten his pants. Evie ducked under the water. Damn, she was hotter than this hot pool.

When she surfaced, he was stepping in, and she got a quick glimpse of powerful thighs and a long, thick cock before he sank into the water.

Evie swallowed a moan. Need throbbed hard between her legs.

He cleaned the mud off, sinking under the water several times. “I contacted my obsidian guards and told them that I found you.”

She nodded. “You have a radio or something.”

“A communicator. Charno will let Rhain, Mal, and the others know that you’re okay.”

She felt a sting of guilt. “I…just needed to get away.”

He sank back against the edge of the pool and scanned the area. “We’ll stay up here for one day, then we have to get back to the city.”

She chewed her lip, watching him. He was so alert, tense. “Why are we staying only one night?”

“It’s not safe.”

“Why, Gray? What aren’t you telling me?”

“I like it when you call me Gray.” His voice was deep, intimate. “Only those closest to me do.”

She tucked some wet hair behind her ear. “Why only one night?”

He sighed. “I got word that Zavir has sent bounty hunters after you.”

She stiffened.

“He wants you back, and he’s offered a large prize.”

Evie’s throat closed; she couldn’t breathe. Air rasped in and out of her lungs.

Gray’s arms wrapped around her. “It’s okay. Just breathe.”

“I can’t go back,” she whispered. “I won’t.”

“I won’t let anyone take you,” he said vehemently.

She met his gaze. “I’ll die before I go back.”

He cupped her face, a hard glint in his gold eyes. “That’s not happening. He won’t touch you, and there will be no dying.”

“Gray…” She heard the fear in her own voice.

He gently stroked her cheeks with his fingertips. “He’s not getting you.” Gray’s mouth nibbled at hers. “I’ll keep you safe.”

Her hands clenched on his slick shoulders.

Then he pulled away. “We need to head deeper into the mountains before nightfall. Find somewhere safe to camp.”

She nodded.

They climbed out of the pool, backs to each other as they dressed in dry clothes from their packs. Thankfully, Evie hadn’t been wearing her coat for their impromptu mud fight.

Gray had a second coat in his larger pack. He tied their damp clothes to the outside of their packs, and they headed off.

Soon, the geothermal area ended. The mountains loomed above them.

She stared at the huge mountain and rubbed her chest. The pull was definitely in that direction.

“That’s Mount Umber,” he told her. “A dormant volcano.”

“Volcano?”

He smiled at the faint horror in her voice. “It hasn’t been active in centuries.”

“Whatever I’m sensing is in that direction.”

“Then we’ll check it out.” He scanned the jagged peaks. “It’s a shame we don’t have more time. I have a winter cabin up here. I like to escape there on my own, sometimes. I don’t get up here enough.”

“Too many kingly duties?”

“Something like that.”

“Will you bring your wife there once you get married?” Ugh, Evie already hated whatever tall, gorgeous Talnian he married.

“No. She’ll have her own rooms in the palace. Her own hobbies and duties.”

It sounded so cold.

Evie hadn’t realized that she’d said the words aloud until he glanced at her.

“It’s the safest option.” He stopped in a quick move and grabbed her. He slid a hand into her hair, and flames ignited in his eyes. “I told you that I can’t love. I can’t risk it.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth, pulse pounding.

With a curse, he stepped back. “Let’s pick up the pace. This path gets steeper and rockier, and we need to make some more distance before we stop for the night.”

With a nod, she followed him.

AS THEY TREKKED up the rocky hillside, there were fewer trees and more boulders. Stars were beginning to wink on in the darkening sky.

“Once we make camp and start a fire, I’ll catch us something to eat for dinner.”

Evie jerked to a stop. “Catch something? Like an animal?”

“Yes. Problem?”

“Well, I’ve always eaten meat, but I’m not used to seeing exactly where it comes from.”

He shook his head. “You need to eat.”

She was still a little thin for her frame, although the Sarkan scientists had clearly kept her in good health.

Then she gasped, grabbing his arm. There was a vague look of horror on her face. “You’re not going to catch one of those cute mink creatures, are you?”

“Mink?”

“They have a long, sinuous body, fur, cute head. About this big.” She held her hands up.

“Oh, a morion. They’re good eating…”

Her eyes got huge.

Gray fought back a smile. “I won’t catch a morion.”

She released a breath. “Thank you.”

Gray found a large circle of boulders perched on a high point of land. It had good natural defenses, and would hide their fire.

He led her up inside, and there was enough room for a fire and for them to rest and sleep.

He stuck some smaller rocks in the center while Evie collected wood from a nearby copse of trees.

Gray used his arc lighter to start the fire.

“Keep it burning. I’ll catch some dinner. I won’t be long.”

She nodded.

Then, because he couldn’t stop himself, he cupped her cheek and dropped a quick kiss to her lips.

It wasn’t enough, but it would have to do for now.

He heard the quick hitch of her breathing. Then he went to his pack and pulled out a small blaster.

“Here.” He held it out to her. “This is a weapon.”

“Oh.” She carefully turned it over in her hands.

He showed her the controls. “Aim and shoot. It’s got auto targeting and will lock on heat signatures.”

“All right.” She nodded.

“I’ll be quick.”

When Gray returned to the camp, he had a shungite with succulent skin threaded on a large stick.

“That was quick,” Evie said, looking up.

“I used to hunt in these mountains as a child. Most Talnian kids do.” He set the food over the fire to cook.

She snorted. “I spent my vacations cleaning out our apartment while my father was at work. Or sneaking out to meet with my friends at the skate park. Um, that’s a place where kids congregate to ride wheeled things. Bikes and skateboards.”

“Were you good?”

“Not really. I just had crushes on the cute skater boys.”

“Ah.” He handed her some of the cooked shungite.

She looked at it dubiously, but when she tried it, her face lit up. “This is really good.”

“Have some more.”

They ate, and drank from their water bottles. When they were done, Gray laid out his sleeping gear. They’d have to share; not that he minded.

They sat side-by-side, watching the flames.

“So, you’re really going to have an arranged marriage?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s the best option. Like I said, I just can’t risk caring too much. I can’t let my power loose.”

“Why?”

He let his hands dangle between his knees. “I told you that Zavir trapped me in the mountains. It was just north of here. It’s rougher there, with more heavily wooded terrain. His hunters tracked me down, attacked and ambushed me.” He paused, the old memories making his chest tight. “I killed them off, one by one. I’d never taken a life before.”

Evie took his hand. A quiet comfort.

“After a few days, I was half feral. I hadn’t slept. All I managed to eat were bugs and what I could catch and eat quickly. I’d been injured by one hunter who’d caught me and tortured me until I got loose.”

“Oh, Gray.”

“I had the last one captured when my guards found me. They told me Zavir had attacked my mother, and no one knew if she’d survived. She’d been badly hurt.” A muscle in his jaw clenched and Evie squeezed his fingers. “I lost it. I let my power loose. I caused a massive quake and the ground split. I caused lava to rise up, flooding the area and engulfing that final hunter.”

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to have that much power at your fingertips, and to be a frightened, exhausted teenager,” she said quietly.

“My guards were screaming.” Gray swallowed. “My battle-hardened, experienced guards were terrified.” He met her gaze. “I felt the pulse of Taln. I felt the planet’s full strength.” He pulled in a ragged breath. He could recall that intoxicating feeling all too clearly. “I tapped right into the power of the planet’s core. I could’ve ripped the entire planet apart. A part of me was tempted, my power wanted to rage and test its limits, and punish those who had tried to kill my mother.”

Evie’s swallowed. “You would never do that.”

“The ground in that area is still torn up, scarred by the lava. A reminder that I can never lose control again. I have more of my father in me than I like to admit.”

She shook her head, dark hair falling across her forehead. “There is a big difference between people like Zavir, and people like you.”

“What’s that?” Gray asked quietly.

“Zavir wants the power, craves it. He fights to gain more of it because he wants to use it. You worry about controlling it, you worry about using it, and you wield it only to protect people. You could never be like him.”

“It’s too great a risk.”

“So instead, you’ll marry someone you don’t love.”

“I can’t offer anyone love.” He slid a hand along her jaw. “But Evie, right now, I can offer you myself. I can offer you what I can give. Desire. Pleasure.”

“Gray.” Her voice was a whisper.

“If you want me, I’m yours. For however long we have together.”

She licked her lips. “I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

With a groan, he pulled her onto his lap, and she straddled him.

Their mouths collided. She kissed him aggressively, her hands sliding into his hair.

He opened his mouth and took. The taste of her filled so many places inside him.

More. Take more. Need more.

She rubbed against him, pressing against his growing cock. Her mouth moved along his jaw, bit his earlobe.

“Everything I’ve wanted, I’ve been denied for two years,” she said.

“Have whatever you want now.”

She met his gaze. “I want your hands on me, your mouth on me, and your cock inside me.”

He groaned. His cock was so hard it hurt.

“I want pleasure,” she said.

And he’d give it to her.

“When was the last time you were with a man, Evie?”

“A long time ago. Well before my abduction.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I was busy with work, and on a ship with limited options.”

“And what about pleasure you give yourself?”

She stared straight at him and shook her head. “I felt no desire in that cell and had no privacy. I didn’t feel any desire until I saw you.”

Satisfaction held a sharp, smug edge. He was going to give her the pleasure she wanted, the pleasure she craved.

“And when your doctors ran a million tests on me when I first arrived, they also gave me a contraceptive implant.”

“Good.” He rose up and with a gasp, she clung to him.

He laid her out on the sleeping blankets.

“Let me pleasure you, Evie.” He started unbuttoning her shirt, and pushed the sides open.

Her skin was golden in the firelight. He pushed her undergarment down, and her breasts popped free. Full and gorgeous. Her nipples were already hard.

He ran his fingers over her, caressing one nipple.

“Gray—” Her voice was breathy as she arched up.

He skimmed his hands up her sides, then lowered his head.

He raked his teeth over the lower curves of one of her breasts, then sucked her nipple into his mouth.

She writhed beneath him, her hands in his hair. He moved to the other side, taking his time to enjoy, to see what she liked most. The husky sounds she made had his cock hard as stone.

Gray reared back, and fumbled with the fastenings on her trousers. Then he desperately yanked them down her legs.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she chanted.

The night air was cool, but the fire was warm.

And he’d make sure she didn’t feel the cold.

Her face was flushed, eyes wide with desire.

He slid his hands under her ass and her legs fell open. Then he lifted her to his mouth.

“Oh, God!” she cried.

She tasted like musk and honey. He growled, licking her and learning her folds.

So sweet. So swollen.

As he explored, he found a small, hard nub, and her whole body jerked. She sobbed his name.

“Gray.” Her hips jerked against his mouth.

“You taste so sweet, Evie.” He kept licking.

“My clit, please.”

“This?” He touched the nub. “We call it an oparla here.” He sucked it, sliding a finger into her tight warmth.

Her back arched. He sucked harder, and a second later, she came.

She yanked on his hair, crying out.

Gray’s chest was heaving, his cock weeping. But this, tonight, was for her. Nothing had been about her for so long. His pleasure could wait.

As she lay there, sprawled out lazily, he worked her panties back on and redid her shirt.

“Gray?” Her brow creased.

“Shh. Time to sleep now.”

“What about—?” Her gaze dropped.

“Later.” He got the covers over them and curled around her. “I’ll keep watch. Sleep now.”

She snuggled into his chest, and it wasn’t long before her breathing evened out and she fell asleep. The gift of her trust humbled him.

Emotions swelled around his heart, warm ones that he didn’t recognize.

And wouldn’t let himself recognize.

He fiddled with her hair. “I’ll keep you safe.”

From Zavir.

And from himself.

CHAPTER NINE

Evie woke up in a way she never had before in her life—sprawled all over a hard chest.

She blinked. Was she having a really good dream?

But the steady thud of a heartbeat under her ear told her that wasn’t the case.

She opened her eyes. She had her hand slipped inside Gray’s shirt, palm flat against warm skin.

Every single moment of what he’d done to her came back. That dark head between her legs, his mouth pleasuring her.

A hundred different emotions worked through her as she tried to sort out how she felt.

Then he lifted a hand and stroked it down her back.

She lifted her gaze.

He smiled at her. “Has that busy mind of yours worked out what to say yet?”

He looked rumpled, but gorgeous. She studied the sharp, interesting lines of his face, the slumberous gold eyes.

Evie decided to just enjoy the good feelings, and push aside the worry, embarrassment, and uncertainty.

If her abduction and captivity had taught her anything, it was to savor what you had because it could all be yanked away when you least expected it.

She leaned over and kissed him.

A low rumble worked through his chest as he kissed her back.

She stroked her fingers over his skin—hard pec, sculpted shoulder. When she felt the faint marks under her fingertips, she lifted her head.

And met his unreadable gaze.

She pushed up and shoved his shirt open.

They were really faint, but as she traced over them, she saw the fine white lines embedded in his skin.

They were faded, old, but the scars were there.

“Did someone hurt you?” she asked.

“The doctors did the best they could to heal them.” Gray shrugged. “They don’t bother me.”

She waited.

He touched her jaw. “That hunter of my father’s who tortured me used a laser whip. The wounds got very infected.”

She sucked in a breath. She had no idea what a laser whip was, but it sounded painful. And it made her desire to kill Zavir even more powerful. “You were just a boy.”

“A dangerous one on the verge of manhood.” He stroked his fingers down her neck. “I survived and they didn’t.”

He said those words in a flat tone. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his chest.

“Gorr, you tempt me, Evie Mason.” He sat up and took her mouth with his. Then he groaned. “But we need to get moving.”

She nibbled at his bottom lip. She took a closer look at his face and frowned. “You didn’t get any sleep.”

“I had to stay alert. I promised that I’d keep you safe. It’s fine. Talnians need less sleep than humans, or so the doctors tell me.”

He’d watched over her all night as she slept. A funny sensation twisted through Evie’s chest. She’d spent hours, awake in her cell on the space station, too afraid to sleep in case someone grabbed her.

He squeezed her hip. “Time to move.”

Soon they were up, eating, and packing. Before she knew it, they were hiking up the mountain.

As they walked, she kept stealing looks at Gray.

Desire was on a slow simmer. Her brain was telling her it wasn’t a smart move to get involved with him. He was an alien king. A man who would never offer her love.

How about hot sex, Evie? Her little inner devil whispered in her ear, and her fingers curled.

Oh, yeah. That. She really wanted that.

They didn’t talk much, but the silence was companionable. She enjoyed the fresh mountain air and lifted her face to the sunlight. She’d never take sunshine for granted again.

The path rounded the curve of the mountain and offered up a stunning view of the valley.

“God, it’s beautiful here,” she murmured.

“It is. My planet has some stunning vistas. You’d love the snowy plains in the northern reaches. And the Mamura Ocean and isles. That’s where my mother lives, in our ocean palace.”

Evie smiled. “I’d like to see that one day.”

They stared at each other a beat, then she looked away. Silly. She was leaving soon.

After an hour of hiking, Gray glanced her way. “How about you practice with your abilities?”

She arched a brow at him.

He held out his arm. “Come. I’ll show you some Talnian tricks.”

She touched his wrist, and power swelled and moved from him into her. It felt like an electric zing.

He watched her carefully. “It doesn’t take long for you to absorb the power.”

She shook her head. “I’m like a fast-charging battery.”

“How long does the power transference last?”

She shrugged a shoulder. She hadn’t exactly timed it. “A few hours.”

“Can you move that boulder?” He pointed down the slope.

She studied the rock. It was big. Bigger than she was.

Her brow creased and she focused on it. She imagined it lifting into the air.

Nothing.

“Don’t try so hard.” He stepped up behind her and rested his hands on her hips. “Relax.”

“That’s not easy to do with you touching me,” she grumbled.

He leaned down and nipped her ear, his breath warm on her skin.

“You can do it, Evie. I’ve never met anyone stronger than you.”

With a flash of pleasure at his words, she released a breath. Then she let the power flow through her.

This time she merely glanced at the rock, staying relaxed. Rise up, please.

The boulder vibrated.

“That’s it,” Gray murmured.

She bit her lip. The large rock rose into the air, wobbled.

“I did it!” She turned her head and grinned at him.

“You did.” He squeezed her hip, then raised his hand. The boulder flew up smoothly. He punched out with his other hand and the rock exploded into smaller pieces.

Her jaw dropped.

The small rocks flew toward them, then circled around them.

Evie laughed.

Then with another wave of his hand, the rocks lined up in a row, hanging in the air in front of them.

“Show off,” she muttered.

He smiled, looking the most relaxed she’d ever seen him. He always seemed so intense.

Then he moved his arms to the side, and the rocks flew and hit the ground, tumbling down the hill.

“We’d better keep moving,” he said.

They continued on in the warm sunshine.

The path straightened out, and then Evie gasped.

Ahead, a huge rockslide covered the path. Rocks and dirt had tumbled down the mountainside, and formed an ungainly heap. It looked like it’d happened sometime recently. It was blocking their way.

“Oh, no,” she said.

Gray studied the pile of debris. He crouched, a frown on his face.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“This doesn’t look natural.”

She frowned, looking at the slope. “It’s not?”

“No. It feels wrong. How it’s piled up isn’t right.”

Thwap.

A black bolt hit the debris right beside Evie. She stared at it in disbelief, her heart leaping into her throat.

Gray lunged at her, knocking her to the ground.

More bolts hit all around them.

Evie choked on a scream as Gray lifted his palm.

Rocks from the pile flew into the air, and streamed away from them.

She heard a pained shout.

“Come on.” He yanked her to her feet.

More larger rocks tore free of the debris pile and slammed down in front of them, forming a shield.

He pulled her down behind them.

Fear filled her chest as she peered through a crack in the rocks.

Three people in sleek, black spacesuits were walking toward her and Gray. They held rifle-like weapons. Then, movement higher up the side of the cliff caught her eye. Another attacker, holding some sci-fi looking bow in his hand, was approaching from above. The man leaped down to a lower ledge.

“There are four of them,” she said.

Gray’s face settled into grim lines. “This was an ambush. We’re under attack.”

“Give us the woman,” a man yelled.

Evie’s stomach clenched. No.

GRAY’S JAW CLENCHED, pure rage welling inside him.

“I can’t go back. I won’t.” Evie’s words were no more than a whisper, but he heard them. Heard the terror buried inside them.

He yanked her to him. “They’re not touching you. I promise.”

He looked at her pretty face, watching her swallow and nod.

“Good, my carneela.”

She glanced at him. “Carneela?”

“A tough but pretty stone found in mountain streams.” He glanced at the bounty hunters and focused.

For a second, he was back in the mountains as an eighteen-year-old boy—afraid, angry, alone.

But he wasn’t alone now, and he wasn’t allowing his father to hurt this woman any more than he already had.

Gray held up a palm to her. “Take what you need.”

Her face hardened, turned resolute. She pressed her palm to his.

Power flowed and coiled around them. The gold rings appeared in her eyes.

“Let’s make our guests regret coming for a visit,” he said.

Evie nodded.

Gray spun, then threw both of his palms outward.

One large boulder forming the barrier flew out and up. He shoved his other hand out and the rock shattered into tiny pieces. Then he directed his power forward.

The tiny shards of rocks flew through the air, cracking into smaller bullet-sized pieces.

He heard curses and shouts.

A couple of the hunters leaped and ran, searching for any cover.

One man was too slow.

The rock bullets slammed into him, his body shuddering.

Gray’s mouth twisted into a grim smile.

One down.

An arrow whizzed past his ear, missing him by a hair.

Suddenly, a medium-size rock tore through the air. Its path wasn’t exactly straight, but it found its target.

It hit a female hunter in the chest, knocking her down. Arms windmilling, she fell over the side of the mountain with a scream.

Gray glanced back at Evie. She stood, both arms up.

He smiled and she nodded.

Then Gray formed a fist and punched his hand down.

His knuckles hit the ground, and the soil shuddered. He pulled power from his planet. The quake grew, the ground heaving.

The remaining two hunters tried to run.

You’re not going anywhere.

A crack opened and Gray pulled more power to him.

With a shout, a big, muscled hunter slid toward the growing chasm. He fought hard to halt his slide, his hands clawing the dirt, but he slid in, bellowing.

Gray closed the crack and stopped the quake.

Evie walked up beside him and took his hand. Together, they walked toward the final hunter.

The man was on his knees, dazed. He was bleeding from his right temple, where a rock had hit him.

He didn’t look very old. A fresh-face, shaved head, and uptilted black eyes.

When he saw them coming, he froze, then he tried to scramble to his feet and run.

With a growl, Gray lifted his hand and jerked it down, fast.

Suddenly, the young man sank into the dirt up to his chest. It was like the ground had swallowed him.

The hunter cursed, his dark eyes wide.

They stopped in front of him.

He was definitely from Sarkan. They tended to be leaner and smaller. Gray noted the tattoos on the man’s temple and froze.

Old memories rose to choke him. He’d seen a tattoo like that before, as he’d screamed in pain.

The young man eyed Evie.

“Do not look at her,” Gray growled.

The hunter’s eyes jerked back to Gray, widened. “You’re the Conqueror.” The hunter swiped a hand over his mouth. “You weren’t supposed to be here.”

“No, I’m sure you’d prefer to hunt down and terrorize a small woman while she’s defenseless.” Gray paused. “You’re Talock Sull’s son.”

The man swallowed. “Yes. You killed my father.”

“Since he was trying to murder me at the time, and I was only eighteen, I can’t feel very sorry about it.” Gray glared at the man. “Now talk.”

“Zavir wants her back. For her blood. He’s offered a huge bounty.” Sull flicked a quick glance at Evie. “You can kill us, but more will come. King Zavir won’t give up until he has her back.”

Gray crouched in front of the man. “Evie isn’t going anywhere she doesn’t want to.”

She took a step forward. “Tell us about the weapon.”

The young hunter froze, but didn’t reply.

Evie crouched as well, her face set with fierce determination. “The metallic ball. I want to know what it is, what it does, and where it is.”

“That’s not my area.” Sweat dripped down the man’s face.

Gray’s mouth pressed into a flat line, but before he could do anything, a rock whizzed through the air.

It wasn’t large, but it was long and thin. Shaped like a spike.

It flew with precision and stopped at Sull’s temple.

The hunter let out a harsh rasp.

Gray looked at Evie. Clearly the angrier she was, the better her control.

“Tell. Me,” Evie snapped.

“I don’t know!” Spittle flew from Sull’s mouth.

“Tell me what you do know,” she demanded.

The rock spike pressed hard against the man’s skin.

His terrified gaze shot to Graylan.

Gray just crossed his arms over his chest.

Another push and blood dribbled down the side of Sull’s face.

The hunter swallowed. “I don’t know what it does exactly. I’m not part of that project. But it’s destructive. He’s going to throw it in some fault line.”

Gray stiffened, his arms dropping. “What?”

“Zavir helped cook it up himself. Said it would bring Taln—” the man swallowed and licked his lips “—bring you to your knees.”

Evie rose and took Gray’s hand.

Gorr. Gorr. Evie was right about the weapon.

“I don’t know what it does exactly,” Sull continued. “I’m no scientist, but those quakes that have been happening are caused by this device.”

Gray cursed. “And it’s here?”

Sull jerked his head. “Yes. And Zavir is amassing an army nearby.”

“An army,” Evie breathed.

“He tampered with your planetary sensors. Bribed someone on your planet to help him.”

Gray growled, and the man broke off.

“Where is Zavir?” Evie asked. “And the device?”

“The base of the mountain.” He pointed to Mount Umber. “The army’s in the Valley of Fire. Zavir isn’t here yet, but he’s coming soon. Once he detonates the device, his army will invade the capital. He’s going to take over Taln, its people…” Sull paused. “He’ll do whatever he has to do until he has his son at his side.”

Gray’s anger was hotter than any molten magma. He breathed through it, but couldn’t get control. The ground trembled.

Then light fingers stroked up his arm, draining some of the churning anger away.

“That will never happen,” Gray said.

He’d stop Zavir.

He’d protect his planet and people. Whatever the cost.

CHAPTER TEN

Evie jogged up the rocky ground, pushing to keep pace with Graylan.

Terrible anger was pulsating off him in waves. They’d left the hunter, Sull, half buried in the dirt.

“Gray? I need a break.”

He stopped, swiping an arm across his forehead. “Of course.”

She opened her pack and pulled out a water bottle.

“You run well,” he said.

“I loved it as a kid. I’ve missed it. Not much of a chance to run on a space station when you’re in a cell.”

A muscle ticked in Gray’s jaw. “Another thing for Zavir to pay for.”

His tone was so dark, her belly cramped. She reached out and touched his arm. “Talk to me. Holding it all in isn’t good.”

He blew out a breath and turned to look out over the mountains.

“My father won’t stop. This weapon is just another terrible thing he’s concocted. He’s so hungry for power, and he wants me.”

Her throat went dry.

“He has to die,” Gray said with terrible finality. “It’s the only way he’ll stop. He wants my powers, and he will remove all the obstacles he thinks are keeping me from him. He tried to do that with my mother, my people…”

Evie sat on a rock and just listened. There was nothing she could say that would make it better.

Gray spun, hard lines bracketing his mouth. “He used to visit me when I was a child.”

“Zavir?”

Gray nodded. “He’d sneak in and bring me small gifts.”

“Manipulating you.”

Gray closed his eyes for a second. “Yes, but the thing was, he’d sometimes be sincere. I think a part of him wanted to connect with me, and with Rhain and Brodin. He just didn’t know how. He can be charming and caring, that’s what makes him so seductive. He’d say he was proud of me. Often, he’d just listen to me talk. That was what I needed sometimes.”

“Part of you cares about him,” she said.

“Yes. No matter how hard I try to switch it off. It’s the same for Brodin and Rhain. It’s easier for Rhain since Zavir succeeded in killing his mother. We all hate him and what he does, but he’s…”

“Your father.”

“Yes.” He met her gaze. “I want to protect Taln, my people, my brothers, and to do that I know that I have to kill my father.”

Evie rose. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face to his chest and held on.

Gray’s arms closed around her tightly.

They stood there for a long moment, the wind circling them.

“Let’s find this weapon,” she said. “And see how many people Zavir has here.”

She felt Gray nod.

She looked up at him. “Then you’ll tell your brothers, and together, you’ll make a plan. Whatever happens, Gray, you aren’t alone. You have your people, your guards, your brothers. And for what it’s worth, you have me.”

He slid a hand along her jaw, his eyes looking liquid. “That means something to me.”

She smiled. God, she was drawing closer and closer to him. When he finally pushed her away, she knew it would hurt. The thought of him marrying some elegant, beautiful Talnian woman was a blow to her heart.

Suddenly, a tremor hit.

Gray clutched her close as the ground rocked.

Once it stopped, he let her go. “We should move. Once we scale this hill, we’ll be in view of the Valley of Fire.”

“Why is it called the Valley of Fire?”

“You’ll see.”

They moved back into a jog. Her muscles were starting to burn a little, but she didn’t complain. An hour later, they crested the hilltop.

Evie felt a wash of heat.

She looked down into the vast valley below and her eyes widened. “Oh, God.”

It looked like hell.

The rocks in the valley were slick and black. There was no vegetation, and in places, lava bubbled in pools or ran in thin rivers. Heat and steam wafted upward.

“Umber is dormant, but there’s still geothermal activity in the area,” Gray told her. “I used to sneak up here with friends when I was younger. My mother would get so angry. The base of the mountain is riddled with caves and tunnels.”

As Evie scanned the base of the mountain, she spotted movement. “Gray, look.”

She saw people.

They crouched down out of view, and watched the people coming in and out of a cave entrance.

They all wore black spacesuits, similar to what the hunters had been wearing.

“Sarkans,” Gray gritted out.

“The device must be in that cave.” She chewed on her lip. “How can we get in there? There are too many of them.” She counted at least twenty.

Gray’s mouth flattened. “There are some old lava tubes that lead down into the caves. We used to crawl through them as kids.” He looked at her. “They’re tight, rough, and uncomfortable.”

She smiled. “Sounds like fun.” She squeezed his hand. “This is important. Let’s do it.”

She followed him across the mountainside. They stopped at an outcropping of rocks, and he placed a palm over one of the larger ones. It floated up, then set down a few meters away.

Underneath, there was a dark hole in the side of the hill. She glanced in and saw the tube bending away. It was barely large enough for her. It would be a tight fit for Gray.

He pulled a small light out of his backpack and clipped it to his shoulder.

“I’ll go first,” he said.

He moved his feet into the hole, and then started down, inching deeper.

A second later, Evie followed. As they moved downward, they eventually lost the light, except for the small glow of Gray’s lamp.

In places, the tubes were tight. She heard Gray grunting and cursing. Evie scraped her knuckles several times. She was really glad she wasn’t claustrophobic.

She was also grateful that these tubes weren’t totally vertical. There were places where she slid, like a slide, but mostly, they were at a manageable angle.

“I’m at the bottom,” Gray called up softly. “Keep coming.”

She moved down, then felt strong hands grip her legs.

He pulled her out of the tube and into a wider tunnel.

He held a finger to his lips, and that was when she heard the echo of voices not too far away. He clicked off his light, and they crept quietly down the tunnel. The rock walls glittered with silver and gold flecks. In one place, she saw the fossil of some strange, long-dead animal set into the wall. It looked like it might have been a bear.

Gray grabbed her hand and pressed against the rock. Ahead, the tunnel opened into a larger chamber.

“Gorr,” Gray muttered.

The weapon sat on a rock platform. It was round, metallic, and pulsing with red light.

Just like in Evie’s dreams.

Dread filled her like wet concrete, and she rubbed her chest.

Some of the Sarkans stood around it, studying it. Scientists.

For a second, her mind tried to drag her back to Abiosis.

Squeezing her eyes closed, she managed to pull in a breath. She made herself focus on the weapon. Frowning, she noted it wasn’t smooth all over. It had lots of joints and some uneven spots on it. She peered at it. Wait.

“Gray, do you see the uneven spots on the weapon? Some of them are…pulsing.”

“Gorr. It has organic parts integrated into it.”

Eww. She could see now that the pulsing parts were membranes. They looked like small lungs inflating.

“The energy build-up is peaking,” someone called out. “Hang on.”

There was a pulse of energy and the hairs on Evie’s body rose.

Then a tremor hit. Small rocks rained down from the tunnel ceiling. Thankfully, the tremor didn’t last long.

“When do we move it to the fault line for detonation?” a female scientist asked.

“Soon,” the man responded. “Once the king has finished amassing his army. More fighters are inbound in three days, along with King Zavir. Then we’ll be ready.”

The female scientist smiled. “I can’t wait to see how well our invention works.”

The man smiled back. “Me too, Ardlema. Changing lava paths, and making a dormant volcano active again to bury a city in lava. It will be epic.”

Evie felt Gray tense.

Oh, God. The full horror of the plan hit her.

They were going to make the volcano erupt and destroy Gearma.

“In the chaos of the eruption, King Zavir’s army will have the advantage,” the man said.

The woman nodded, smiling. “And Taln will belong to Sarkan.”

The scientists moved out of view.

“Gray?” Evie clenched his hand tightly.

He just stared at the weapon.

There were plenty of Sarkan guards in the cavern. There was no way they could grab the device or disable it, even if they knew how.

“Gray,” she whispered.

His jaw clenched. “We need to tell Rhain and Brodin.”

She nodded. “Let’s get out of here.”

They turned back, heading down the tunnel toward the lava tubes, but suddenly, footsteps and voices echoed ahead of them.

Shit. Someone was coming down the tunnel.

“We need another way out,” she whispered frantically.

“This way.”

Gray pulled her down another narrow tunnel, and away from the chamber.

“We can get out?” she asked.

“Yes. Only downside is that it leads to the other side of the mountain, away from Gearma.”

“Okay.” Evie tried to keep her steps quiet as she followed him. It wasn’t ideal to add more distance to their journey back, but getting out safely was the priority.

The dull glow from the rock walls gave enough light to see where they were going.

Then she saw the square of light ahead, and relief punched through her.

She wanted out of this cave.

They stepped onto a ledge. The wind was howling, and in the sky, gray clouds were boiling and building.

Gray cursed. “A snowstorm is coming in.”

Great. That was just what they needed.

Then Evie felt his entire body tense as he looked down.

“Gorr. Gorr, no.”

She looked down and her heart stopped.

The entire valley below was filled with an army. Her throat tightened. So many, too many.

She saw soldiers in armor training. She saw pens filled with creatures. Closest to the mountain, humanoid creatures with overlong arms and gray skin were fighting amongst themselves.

Hexids. She’d seen the abominations on Abiosis.

There were lots of rugged vehicles of war, topped with weaponry.

“Zavir’s army.” Gray stared, the wind whipping at his hair. “Preparing for battle.”

GRAY EYED the darkening clouds as he and Evie climbed up the steep mountainside.

They’d have snow soon.

He scowled, his stomach hard, as though it was filled with rocks. Zavir. Gorr-cursed Zavir had weapons and an army on Gray’s planet.

“I’ll stop you,” he muttered. “Whatever it takes.”

Evie cursed, skidding a little down the slippery slope. She fell into him, and he caught her.

“Sorry.” She pushed her hair back. “I’m okay.”

She was tired. He saw it stamped on her face.

The fact was, they couldn’t make it back to Gearma today.

“I need to contact the palace. Once the storm hits, my communicator signal won’t get through.” He frowned at the clouds. “And we’ll be delayed by the snowstorm.”

She studied the churning clouds.

“There are some trees up ahead,” he said. “We’ll stop there, and I’ll make contact with Charno.”

Once they reached the shelter of the trees, Evie huddled in her coat. Gray pulled out his communication device. He touched the controls, and a second later, a projection speared up from the flat device. Rhain and Brodin’s faces appeared.

“Are you both all right?” Rhain asked.

“We’re fine, but we have a snowstorm brewing. We’ll need to get to shelter soon.” Thankfully, his winter cabin wasn’t too far away. “But…we found something.”

Both his brothers’ faces sharpened.

“What?” Brodin asked.

“Zavir is gathering an army here. And the weapon Evie saw is here, too. We found it.” Gray could still hardly believe it. He blew out a sharp breath. “Zavir has troops and beasts here already, and more troops on the way in three days.”

Both Gray’s brothers stiffened. He gave them a rundown of the plan, including the army he’d seen.

“So many,” Rhain breathed.

“Apparently a Talnian betrayed us, and tampered with the planetary sensors. Allowing Zavir to amass his army under my nose.” His voice turned to a growl.

“Gorr,” Brodin bit out.

“There are too many for my military alone,” Gray said. “Even if I pull in garrisons from other parts of the planet.” He shook his head. “And I can’t leave other cities completely defenseless.”

He felt Evie touch his back. Quiet support.

He liked it. He’d never had anyone offer him support like that.

“I’ll contact my fighters on Damar,” Brodin said.

Rhain jerked his chin. “And the same for my warriors on Zhalto.”

“It still may not be enough. I need you both to call on all of our allies. Any who can get fighters here, fast. We have three days. That’s when Zavir arrives with the last of his fighters, and then he’s going to detonate the weapon in a fault line to activate the volcano.”

“Can we stop the weapon?” Rhain asked. “Defuse it?”

“I don’t know. We’ll have a hard time just getting to it. Go ahead and ask my scientists to start working on it, but I’m not sure they have the skills for this.”

“It looked like it had organic parts in it,” Evie said.

“So, we need an expert in weaponry, tech, and organic components.” Rhain’s gaze narrowed.

“You know someone?” Gray asked.

“I have an idea. I’ll keep you posted once I know more. You and Evie just get back to the city.”

Gray nodded. “We’ll move as fast as we can. The storm will slow us down, especially since we’ll be forced to take shelter.”

“Just stay safe,” Rhain said. “And bring Evie back unharmed, or my queen will gut you.”

Brodin gave them a nod, then the projection blinked off.

Evie rose. “Zavir had better watch out.”

Gray was thankful for the unwavering support of his brothers. The danger of the weapon and the volcano, plus the troops and creatures…

Three days. They had three days to prepare.

“You ready?” he asked Evie. “My winter cabin isn’t too far away. I suggest we head there.”

Her chin lifted. “I’m ready.”

They trekked on, and soon the snow started to fall.

At first, it was light, and didn’t slow them down, but as another hour passed, the snowfall increased. Soon they were charging through knee-deep snow.

Evie doggedly kept up, but when he glanced over, he saw she was shivering.

She hadn’t known the full extent of the Talnian weather, or that it could change on a whim. She hadn’t packed warm enough clothes for a snowstorm.

Soon, visibility dropped, and he couldn’t see very far in front of them.

And the snow wasn’t letting up. If anything, it was getting worse.

He could hear Evie’s teeth chattering over the wind. He pulled her closer and she burrowed into him.

They needed shelter soon, or Evie would freeze. As the weather deteriorated, they could both get turned around in the snow and walk off a cliff.

“We’re close to my winter cabin,” he told her. “Just a little bit longer.”

“O-okay.” Her teeth chattered even more.

“Another hour. Then you can get warm.”

She nodded.

He kept her close and they trudged on. They turned onto the path that would lead up to the cabin. It was purposely hard to get to, and tucked in a small, hard-to-reach valley.

Gray had to pause frequently, making sure they were heading in the right direction. The wind howled and snow plowed into them, thick and fast. Visibility was bad.

Evie started to slow down. When she staggered and fell to her knees, Gray lifted her to her feet. He tried to block the wind.

“Evie—”

“I’ve…got this.”

She trudged on, but a moment later, she fell.

She landed face first in the snow and didn’t move.

No.

Heart pounding, Gray picked her up. She was limp. He needed to get her warm. Now.

The cold was starting to seep into Gray’s bones, and he was accustomed to it. But the bitter temperature and unforgiving snow were more than even he was used to dealing with.

Holding Evie against his chest, his steps slowed. They should be at the cabin by now.

Had he gone the wrong way? If he had, it would cost them their lives.

He had to find it.

He wouldn’t lose Evie.

She’d survived so much. She deserved to live.

He kept going, one foot in front of the other.

“Won’t…be long, Evie.” His head was foggy, and his body was so cold. “I’ll take…care of you. I…promise.” He started to hum a childhood lullaby his mother had sung to him.

After the snow, the sun will shine.

After the rain, the rainbow will glow.

After bad weather, smile, child of mine.

A shiver wracked his body. His winter cabin was perched on the edge of a cliff. If he got the path wrong, he could walk them right off the mountain.

On his next step, his foot hit something with a thud.

Wood.

Another step and he saw the outline of the wooden cabin.

Praise Lady Taln.

“It’s going to be okay, Evie.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Cold.

So cold.

Evie couldn’t see. She couldn’t feel, except for the intense cold that had seeped deep into her bones.

She moaned.

“It’s all right,” a deep voice said. “I’ve got you, Evie. I’ll get you warm.”

She turned her head. That voice. She wanted to hear more.

“Hold on, Evie.”

But her consciousness was fading.

She tried to hold onto the voice, but the cold darkness dragged her away.

EVIE FELT LAZY, sleepy, and so, so warm.

She let herself drift lazily awake. She heard the crackle of a fire, felt the comforting warmth of blankets over her.

And a hard body beneath her.

Mmm, a naked, hard body.

She opened one eye, and saw her face was pressed into Gray’s neck. His masculine scent filled her senses.

She blinked, and realized she was naked, as well.

A big hand skimmed down her back. She cracked open the other eye.

They were inside a beautiful, wooden cabin made of a dark, rich wood. They were lying under a mound of blankets in front of the fire.

She had no desire to remember the painful cold, or being stuck in the unforgiving snow.

Graylan had promised to get her warm, and he had.

The hand moved lower, curving over her ass and cupping her rounded cheek. Her breath hitched, and heat of a different kind ignited in her belly.

Evie looked up at the strong jaw covered in sexy stubble. His eyes were closed, and he looked like he was still asleep. But she felt the hard cock growing against her belly. His fingers kneaded her butt, and she swallowed a moan.

Then Gray shifted, sliding her body over his, and shockingly, that engorged cock prodded between her legs.

Evie gasped, her hands gripping his shoulders.

Another flex, and the swollen head of his cock nestled against the lips of her pussy.

Oh, God.

Violent arousal hit her.

Then she realized gold eyes were watching her.

“Do you want me to stop?” His voice was low, husky.

“No.” She looked deep into his eyes. Eyes she felt she’d known forever. “No, I don’t want you to stop.”

His arms tightened and he rolled her, his big body pinning her to the rug.

He thrust all the way inside her.

Evie cried out, digging her nails into his broad shoulders.

After several years of no sex, he stretched her to the point of pain. She felt her body working to accommodate that thick cock lodged deep inside her.

His big body was shaking, and she realized he was fighting for control, giving her time.

But desire was a hot, insistent throb inside her.

She slid her hands down and cupped his taut ass. She tucked her legs tight against him. Then she turned her head and bit his neck. “Move.”

“Don’t…want to hurt you.”

“Move, Gray.”

With a groan, he started thrusting.

She gasped, sensations flaring through her. She felt every nerve ending come to painful life.

“So tight, carneela,” he groaned.

“No, you’re so big.” She arched into him, loving it. The rawness, the desire, the feel of his hard male body moving in hers. “I love your big cock inside me. It feels so good. You feel enormous.”

His hips moved faster. “You feel better than I imagined. Slick, snug. So good.”

A sob broke free from her throat. “Harder, Gray. Please.”

“Yes.” He moved faster. “I can’t get deep enough.”

She moaned, realized they were both panting.

He lifted his head, eyes glittering. “Evie.”

Sex had never been like this. So all-consuming.

As he rocked in and out of her body, she felt taken, dominated… And protected.

She felt every sensation, everything magnified. The pleasure so intense, and she knew her climax was drawing closer with every stroke of his cock.

She dug her nails into his ass. “Gray—”

Her orgasm slammed into her. She screamed his name as her inner walls clamped down on the thick intruder inside her. The waves of her release hit, her body pressed to his warm skin, and she’d never felt so alive. Tears pricked her eyes.

Gray slammed into her again, thrusting harder. Then his big body arched, and with a low roar, he threw his head back, body convulsing as he came. She felt him pulse deep inside her and she clung harder to him, trying to hold onto the sensation.

He rocked against her as they both came down. She pulled his head down and pressed her mouth to his neck.

He shifted and his mouth took hers.

The kiss was deep, his mouth slanting over hers, and while it was thorough, it was underscored by tenderness.

“Okay?” he whispered against her lips.

“More than okay.”

He moved beside her, pulling her closer to his big body. He stroked a hand down her belly, and nipped her ear with his teeth.

She snuggled into him with a sigh.

She looked toward the windows. It was pure white outside.

A clutch of worry hit. She knew that they were snowed in, but Zavir’s army was out there. The snow hadn’t made them go away.

“Are we safe here?”

“Yes. The cabin is blended with the terrain. The windows are specially treated, so no light is emitted from them, and there’s a high-tech exhaust system to dissipate smoke from the fireplace. I wanted to ensure my privacy when I came up here.”

She nibbled on her lip. “Okay.”

“Don’t let it in yet,” Gray rumbled.

“What?”

His hand skimmed lower. “The real world. Everyone is stuck in the storm, so there’s no need for reality yet.” He kissed her again. “I only want it to be you and me.”

He rolled her onto her back and rose up. She let her gaze travel down to his chest. He pushed her thighs back, then gripped his hard-again cock in one hand.

Oh. Desire was a spike in her belly. Her anticipation ratcheted up inside her.

He thrust into her.

“Graylan.”

“Yes. Gorr, I love being inside you.”

He shoved her legs up on his shoulders, bending over, driving his cock deeper.

With each slam of his strong body, pleasure hit. With each deep slide of that thick cock, she felt a furious orgasm racing closer.

“Together this time,” he growled.

“Yes.”

He picked up speed, his thrusts harder and rougher. She loved it.

When her climax broke, shattering her, his deep groan mingled with her cries.

It took a while, but gradually, she could think again. Their bodies were slick with sweat, their breathing ragged.

Evie buried her face against his skin, ignoring the quivering muscles in her legs.

“Wow,” she breathed.

He lifted his head and smiled. It was the most relaxed smile she’d seen on him.

“I’m not done with you, yet.”

WHEN A LOG SHIFTED in the fireplace, Gray stirred.

He had an armful of warm Evie pressed against him. He smiled, stroking her warm back.

Now, this was a pleasant way to wake.

He glanced at the windows. It was still snowing, but it had eased a little. He could just make out some trees dotting the snowy hillside.

Evie made a sound, then shifted, her warm breath puffing against his neck.

He felt her slowly start to waken.

When she lifted her head and smiled, he realized that there was a lot he’d do in order to see that smile more frequently.

“Hello,” she murmured.

“Hello.” He kissed her deeply.

Desire stirred his cock, but he’d used her hard during the night. He guessed she’d be sore.

“I’ve no idea what time it is,” she said.

“Lunch time.”

Her stomach growled.

He grinned. “I’d better feed you.”

“I think we’ve earned it. After the trek and…”

“And fucking each other senseless.”

Her lips quirked. “That too.”

He gripped her chin. “Evie, it was…everything.”

She smiled. “For me too.”

“All right. Let me find us some food. I keep some stocked here.”

Not bothered by his nakedness, he headed for the small kitchen. He checked the cupboards and found jars of stew.

He tipped them into bowls and set them in the re-warmer. When the device dinged, he grabbed some utensils and returned to the fireplace to find Evie wrapped in a blanket, watching him unashamedly.

“Quit that.” He crouched.

“You are very easy on the eyes, Conqueror. Every bit of you.” Her gaze lingered on his abs, then dropped to his half hard cock.

He set the bowls down on the edge of the hearth. Then he turned back to her and whipped the blankets off her.

She squealed. He cupped her breast—by the snowy climes, he loved them. Then he slid a hand between her legs.

“You must be sore.” He eased a finger inside her, and she winced.

“It had been a while.”

“And I wasn’t gentle.”

Her lips curled. “I know. I liked it.” Her face turned serious. “I like that you just see me, Gray. Not a victim or an abused captive.”

“I’ve always seen your strength, Evie.” He admired her in so many ways.

He felt a trickle of worry. He was starting to care for her too much.

She sat up. “Whatever you’ve cooked smells good.”

“Veya stew.”

He handed her the bowl and they nestled back in the blankets, eating together. He glanced outside, his worry beginning to grow.

“You’re thinking about Zavir,” she said.

He nodded. “The snowstorm is clearing. Zavir’s people will start plotting their attack.”

“We only have a few days before Zavir arrives.”

And detonated the weapon.

“As soon as the snow stops, we need to get back to Gearma,” Gray said.

“Is your communicator working?”

He reached over to his pack and pulled the device out. He tried it, then shook his head. “My guess is that the snowstorm is currently over the city.”

She looked at the windows. “How much longer until we can leave?”

“A few hours, at least.”

Her nose wrinkled. “Should be a pleasant hike with the snow, the cold, sore muscles, and tender…” her cheeks went pink “…other places.”

He cocked his head and held out a hand. “Come with me.”

She put her hand in his, and dragged the blanket with her.

He moved over to the large glass doors that led to the deck. The deck was partly covered, and in one corner, a hot tub bubbled, fed by hot water from the geothermal pools.

“The water will be good for your muscles and—” he smiled “—other places.”

He slid the door open.

Frigid air hit them, and she gasped. “It’s freezing!”

“Drop the blanket, carneela.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He gripped it. “You don’t need it in the tub.”

“Gray—”

He gave it a hard tug and she yelped.

He pulled her to the tub, and they slipped into the hot water.

Now she moaned.

“Good?” He leaned back against the edge.

“So good.” She kept her head just above the water and looked around. “The view must be stunning on a clear day.”

“It is. It’s been too long since I’ve been up here. I usually come alone.”

“And brood,” she teased.

“Sometimes. I just like to escape for a while.”

“It’s hard being king.” Her voice turned serious.

“It can be. I wouldn’t change it. It can be extremely rewarding as well, and I love my planet.” His chest tightened. “I have to stop Zavir. I won’t let him destroy Taln.”

Evie crossed the tub, and moved into his arms. “I know you will. I’ve never seen anyone as dedicated as you. And I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Her gaze was fierce. “I won’t let him hurt other people, like he did me.”

Gray fingered her damp hair. “We’ll stop Zavir together.”

He just hoped that his brothers could assemble a large enough fighting force.

“Together.” Evie kissed him and thoughts of Zavir melted away.

The kiss deepened. She made a needy sound. Under the water, hands stroked up his thighs. His muscles flexed. Then her fingers closed around his cock.

He groaned, and she started pumping him.

“I can hardly believe this fit inside me,” she murmured.

He pressed his face against her hair.

Her fingers explored the swollen head, making his cock harder.

“Graylan?”

He stared at her blindly.

“I think the hot water has done the trick.” She bit her bottom lip. “I need you inside me.”

Blind with need, he grabbed her and rose. She hissed from the cold, but he was too hot to feel it.

He strode back inside, desire beating hard. He slammed the door closed behind them.

Then he dropped to his knees on the nest of blankets.

Evie twisted onto her front, then rose up on her hands and knees. She arched her back, offering him a perfect view of her round ass and the pretty lips beneath.

“Graylan, hurry.” Her voice was filled with need.

With a growl, he covered her. With one hard thrust, he was seated inside her.

“You take me perfectly.” He thrust heavily. “Like your body was made for mine.”

“Graylan!” She thrust back against him.

“Take me, Evie.”

“Always. Hurry.”

Mine. The word echoed in his head.

His power ignited. He felt it skate over his skin and throb in his veins. He jolted. That had never happened during sex before.

She felt it and cried out. She absorbed his power and gave it back to him, energy filling the air around them.

It drove his need higher.

“Oh, God,” she panted.

“Yes. Take it all.” He thrust into her, going deeper. He sank a hand in her hair, tilted her head back.

He saw the gold rings glowing in her eyes. He kissed her, feeling her body clamp down on his cock.

He groaned.

They came together, crying out each other’s names.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Snow crunched under Evie’s boots.

She looked back. The cabin was almost out of sight.

Her belly filled with regret.

She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay locked away, just her and Gray. No bad guys. No dangers. Just mind-blowing sex, and sleeping in his arms.

With a sigh, she looked away to the back of Gray’s broad back clad in a fur-lined coat. They’d both put on plenty of layers from the stash of clothes in his cabin.

No, they couldn’t ignore the world. Gray was the conqueror. Had a planet to rule and protect. He couldn’t run away.

And despite everything they’d done to each other, she couldn’t forget that he’d never love her.

Suddenly, she realized she’d stopped, and Gray was marching back to her.

He cupped her cheeks. “It’s going to be okay, Evie. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

He thought she was upset because she was afraid.

Now, a new fear gripped her. Gray would fight Zavir. He’d do anything to bring his father down.

Even sacrifice himself.

Her stomach turned to stone. God, what if he got hurt or killed?

Fear coated her mouth. She was suddenly realizing just how much she already felt for him.

“I know,” she whispered, gripping his wrists. “And you have to stay safe as well.”

He didn’t answer, just pressed his mouth to hers.

She clung to him and kissed him back, pouring all her fears into it. He gripped her tightly, groaning into her mouth.

He pulled back, and rested his forehead on hers.

“I won’t take unnecessary risks,” he said.

She swallowed against her tight throat. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t take any risks.

He stroked her cheekbone, then kept a hold of her hand as they restarted the trek.

The storm had hit Gearma hard. Evie saw the glitter of the city in the distance, covered in a layer of white.

The sun was out now though, giving them a nice, crisp day.

But the sunlight didn’t warm her. She felt Zavir’s deadline looming.

There was a piercing squawk and a bird of prey soared overhead.

Gray smiled. “Taron.”

The hawk circled, then arrowed down. Gray held an arm up and the bird landed.

“Hello, Taron.” He stroked the bird’s sleek feathers.

Taron turned its head, yellow eyes staring at Evie. She got the feeling he was plotting her death.

“Go, Taron. We’ll be back soon.” He held his arm up in the air and the hawk took off. “He’ll let my obsidian guards know we’re inbound.”

Sure enough, only a few minutes later, several black-clad guards appeared out of the trees. They were wearing sleek snowshoes on their feet and moved fast over the snowy ground.

“Conqueror.” Charno nodded, looking relieved. “It’s good to see you’re unhurt.”

“We need to get back to the palace, fast,” Gray told his guard.

Charno looked tired, dark circles under his eyes. “Your brothers have been working to bring troops in. Several Zhalton and Damari ships have already arrived.”

“Good.” As Gray moved ahead, his guards moved in around him.

Evie stared at his back, listening as he gave orders to his team. He barked several questions, and they hurried to respond. Gray paused to clip on snowshoes that Charno gave him.

Gray, the man who’d made love to her and showed her pleasure that she’d never experienced before, was gone. Conqueror Graylan was back.

There was a small, tight ball in the center of her chest. She’d known what they’d shared was over. Those beautiful, sexy hours where they’d been connected would stay in the mountains.

She glanced back to the snowy peaks behind her, and breathed through the spike of grief.

“Are you all right?” an obsidian guard asked her. “Do you need assistance?”

Evie looked back, and saw Gray glancing back at her.

She looked away and forced herself to smile at the guard. “I’m fine.” She took the snowshoes the man offered her and clicked them on.

She had to put her feelings aside. They had more important things to deal with than her sex life.

Zavir, his weapon, his army. Her gut hardened.

They soon reached the edge of the city. Once they ditched the snowshoes, they walked through the cleared streets and picked up speed.

Finally, they arrived back at the palace. Rhain, Brodin, Thadd, Annora, Poppy, and Mal were waiting for them.

Gray turned back to Evie, an unreadable look on his face. “Evie—”

“Go.” She wondered if her smile looked more believable than it felt. “I know you need to debrief and plan with your brothers.”

He nodded, but still hesitated. “I’ll see you later.”

“Sure. And Graylan…” She saw him frown when she said his full name. “Thank you. I’ll always remember that time in the mountains.”

His brow creased, but she hurried past him.

“Thank God you’re all right.” Poppy engulfed her in a hug.

Annora nodded at her, then Mal gave her a bone-crushing hug.

“I need a hot shower, clean clothes, and food,” Evie said.

“I bet,” Mal said, watching the men disappear inside. “I heard you found Zavir’s weapon.”

Evie gave them a grim nod. “And the army he’s amassing in the mountains.”

“He’s an asshole of epic proportions,” Mal muttered.

“Come on,” Poppy said. “You shower, while we organize some food to be brought to your room.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Evie walked inside. Warmth radiated off the stone floor, and it actually felt nice to be back in the palace.

“Then you can tell us everything about what happened in the mountains,” Mal said.

Evie couldn’t stop her blush. “Oh…sure.”

Mal froze, eyebrows rising.

Poppy laughed and slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes dancing.

Mal put a hand on her hip. “I meant the bounty hunters and the weapon.”

Evie cleared her throat. “Right.”

“But now we need to hear everything you and the hunky, intense conqueror got up to.”

The heat in her cheeks increased. “We didn’t—”

“Oh, I love this.” Poppy beamed.

Evie slid a hand through her hair. “Guys, it was a one-time deal. Gray’s practically betrothed to a Talnian lady—”

“What?” Mal snapped.

“He wants an arranged marriage. He…won’t let himself fall in love.”

“They all say that.” Mal waved an impatient hand.

“But he means it. He worries about the control of his abilities if he cares too much for someone.”

“You can’t just turn your emotions on and off,” Poppy said.

Evie shook her head. “I’m going to shower.”

As she walked away, Mal yelled after her.

“We’re still going to pump you for information.”

Evie just shook her head. When she reached her room, she realized she needed clean clothes.

She opened the door again and stopped a palace worker passing by.

“Excuse me.”

The woman saw her and fidgeted. Ah, she’d forgotten about everyone being afraid around her. It didn’t seem to bother her quite as much now, since they had bigger problems to deal with. “Dari has been helping me. I need some fresh clothes.”

“I’m sorry. Dari didn’t arrive for work today.”

Crap. Evie hoped Dari wasn’t afraid of her, too. “Is she sick?”

“No.” The woman fiddled with her dress. “No one can find her.”

Evie gasped. “She’s missing?”

The woman bobbed her head. “I’ll find another maid for you.”

Evie watched the woman hurry off. Where was Dari? Had she gotten lost in the storm?

Crap. Evie couldn’t help her maid right now. Zavir and the weapon took precedence.

She sighed, hoping that Dari was just off somewhere, getting carried away with a boyfriend, or something.

Evie headed for the shower.

GRAY PRESSED his hands to the table. “How many allies have sent troops?”

“Many,” Rhain said. “But the rest of them will take time to mobilize, and reach Taln. Some will arrive after the deadline.”

“We have the Damari and Zhalton troops settled in your barracks,” Brodin said. “They’re all good fighters.”

Gray sighed. “I’m not sure it will be enough. If Zavir detonates the weapon, and the volcano erupts…”

They’d be too busy dealing with the fallout from the eruption. They’d be overrun by Zavir’s fighters.

“I’m more worried about the weapon,” he said.

Brodin gave a fierce scowl. “If we stop the weapon, it increases the odds in our favor.”

Gray touched the organizer on the table. A projection speared up in the center of the polished surface. He’d re-created the weapon to the best of his memory. An image of it spun around for them all to see.

“We have no idea how it works. From what I could see, it was Sarkany tech, but it also had some organic parts embedded in it.”

Distaste rippled over Rhain’s face. “Zavir has no line he won’t cross.”

“You said Evie felt drawn to it?” Brodin asked.

Gray nodded. “Naberius used her blood and its properties for lots of experiments. I’m thinking her blood was used in the weapon somehow, as well.”

Rhain shook his head and cursed.

“I’ll talk to Poppy,” Brodin said. “My future empress might have ideas on how to deactivate the weapon.”

“It isn’t my scientists’ area of expertise, but they can try and help.” Gray touched the organizer and a map of the Valley of Fire appeared.

“We have too many fronts. The weapon, Zavir’s troops—”

“And Zavir himself,” Rhain finished.

“It’s time we end this.” Gray dropped into his chair. “Zavir has to die.”

All three of them fell silent.

“He’s not a good man,” Rhain said.

“He’s not honorable,” Brodin added. Then he sighed. “Except when it suits him.”

Gray knew that Brodin was thinking of when Zavir had saved Poppy’s life.

“He tried to kill me and my mother years ago.” Gray paused. “He used to visit me as a child, and he never asked me for anything. He just wanted to hear about my studies and training. I’ve never been able to get a clear picture of the gorr.”

“He’s a good manipulator,” Rhain said. “And he did succeed in killing my mother.” Rage vibrated through his voice.

Gray met their gazes. “He won’t be easy to kill. He has a lot of advanced tech that he uses to protect himself. My spies have uncovered some of it, but not everything.”

“We have to find a way, or he’ll keep threatening our planets,” Rhain said.

“And I worry he’ll target Mal and Poppy.” Brodin crossed his arms over his broad chest. “He’ll see them as keeping us from him.”

Gray’s gut hardened. He thought of Evie. Thought of her naked in front of the fire, smiling up at him. Thought of that moment when he’d been inside her, their powers linked. Gorr, he missed her. The hours without her felt endless.

The look she’d given him when they’d parted ways, it had felt like a goodbye.

He frowned. She was sleeping in his bed tonight. He’d make sure of it.

“I will do what is necessary to stop Zavir. His threats to Taln, and Evie…I have reached my limit.” He slammed a fist onto the table. “Whatever it takes.”

Both his brothers nodded.

“Whatever it takes,” Rhain echoed.

There was a knock at the door, and Poppy entered first, smiling at Brodin.

The big man’s face lightened.

“How go the battle plans?” Poppy asked heading straight to her mate. He drew her down for a kiss.

“Progressing,” Brodin said. “Actually, we need your help.”

The others entered. Mal shot Rhain a challenging look. “I expected an invite before now.”

Rhain smiled. “I figured you’d have stormed in before now.”

Evie stood in the doorway. She’d showered and changed. She was staring at the projection of the weapon.

Gray rose and drank her in. It felt like he hadn’t seen her in days, or touched her in an eternity.

He circled the table. He needed to hold her, and he didn’t care about anything else.

She saw him coming and her eyes widened. “Gray—”

He scooped her up and closed his mouth on hers.

Yes. There was the taste he’d missed.

She was stiff for a second, then she melted against him. She kissed him back, and wrapped her legs around his waist.

It was the low rumble of laughter that made Gray lift his head.

His brothers were laughing. Mal and Poppy were grinning at them.

“I see that while you two were snowbound in the mountains, you found a way to pass the time,” Rhain said.

Evie’s cheeks turned pink.

Brodin shook his head. “You’ve fallen for the mysterious allure of an Earth woman, I see.”

Evie cleared her throat. “We have your evil father about to attack and launch a deadly weapon to make a dormant volcano erupt. Maybe we should focus on that?”

Rhain chuckled. “As amusing as this is, Evie’s right.”

“Poppy, can you look at the information on the weapon?” Gray asked. “We need to devise a way to deactivate it.”

Poppy frowned at the image. “I can try, but it’s going to be hard without the actual weapon to study.”

“I know.” Gray smoothed a hand on Evie’s back. “I suspect Evie’s blood was used in it.”

She jerked. “You think that’s why I felt drawn to it?”

He nodded. “But other than that, Poppy, we don’t have much intel on it.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Poppy said.

“I also have some intel on the kind of protection Zavir uses,” Gray said. “We need to analyze it. We need a way to get close enough to kill him.”

Evie’s chin lifted. “Then let’s get to work.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Evie watched Poppy muttering. Gray’s office was filled with papers, organizers, projections, and people.

Mal and Rhain were out checking on the Zhalton, Damari, and Talnian troops.

There were some Talnian scientists working with Poppy, but it was becoming clear that this weapon was beyond anything they’d seen before.

“We need an expert on blending tech and organic components.” Poppy pushed her blonde hair out of her face. She looked frustrated.

“We’ve contacted someone,” Gray said. “We’re waiting for a response.” He frowned. “Transmissions aren’t getting through smoothly, however. I suspect they’re getting scrambled.”

“Zavir,” Evie said.

He nodded. There were deep lines of strain on his face.

The tension in the room was thick, pushing on all of them.

Knowing that time was ticking down to the attack on his capital and people had to be hard. She wanted to go to him, touch him, offer comfort.

She felt confused. He’d kissed her in front of the others, and she wasn’t sure what that meant.

You have bigger problems to solve, Evie.

She looked back at the data Charno had brought in.

It was information on Zavir.

He lived in a heavily fortified compound on Sarkan, like every good evil king should. He traveled in armored vehicles and ships with a squad of guards, and various engineered beasts.

All trained to protect him.

He was known to sneak out alone. Brodin had seen him alone on Damar. He’d been wearing some sort of camouflage suit and appeared out of nowhere.

The spies had specs on some high-tech Sarkan suit Zavir wore, which was apparently impenetrable. It cast some sort of energy shield over his body.

It would be hard to get to him, and even harder to get through his defenses to kill him.

The doors opened and some palace workers brought in drinks and snacks.

Evie caught the eye of one man. “Hi. I was wondering if Dari had turned up?”

The man shook his head. “She’s missing. Her family has alerted the authorities. She never came home last night.”

Evie frowned. God, what happened to the poor woman?

Charno strode in, flanked by two stone-faced obsidian guards.

“My Lord,” the guard said.

Gray turned. “What is it, Charno?”

Behind Gray, night was falling, and the sky was darkening.

“Our scientists have confirmed that the planetary shields have been tampered with.”

Gray cursed. “Any idea how?”

“It was an inside job.” The guard straightened. “It coincides with when complex maintenance work was being carried out on the sensors. A perfect time to hide any tampering.”

Gray went as stiff as a board. “So we were betrayed.”

Charno nodded.

“What aren’t you telling me? Spit it out.”

“The Sardonyx family has the maintenance contract,” Charno said.

“Bring Misto Sardonyx and his family here for questioning.” Gray’s voice was like ice.

Charno nodded and left with the guards.

“Gray?” Brodin prompted.

“They’re a trusted noble family. I don’t want to believe anyone would jeopardize the entire planet for their own gain.” He glanced at them. “But I can’t forget Hagen.”

Evie knew Hagen had been a Talnian pilot who’d betrayed Thadd and Annora on their mission. Naberius had killed the man. Poor Hagen had believed he was helping his sick daughter, but he’d knowingly put all of Taln at risk.

“I’ll talk to them in the Great Hall,” Gray said.

“We’re coming.” Brodin caught Evie’s gaze and jerked his head.

What was the emperor trying to tell her?

She followed the men out. Gray was stiff, had none of his usual prowling grace.

They strode into the Great Hall.

Pillars lined the sides and the ceiling arched high overhead. It was where Gray had held the ceremony to give Thadd and Annora their medals.

“What?” Evie whispered to Brodin.

“He’s on the edge. This might push him over.”

“He’s strong.” She didn’t think anything could break Gray.

Brodin touched her arm, heat radiating off him. “He’s not just a ruler or a king. Sometimes, behind closed doors, we need the soft touch of those who care about us to steady us.”

“He doesn’t…we aren’t…” She shook her head. “We aren’t together like that.”

Brodin just stared at her. “Help him when he needs it.”

Footsteps echoed through the hall. She turned and saw a noble man in a deep blue outfit stride in. He was older, distinguished, with gray hair at his temples. There was a handsome woman holding his arm, wearing a lovely, blue-green dress. Beside her was a young man, probably still in his teens. And beside the older man was a stunning woman. She looked to be a few years younger than Evie, with a tall, slender figure, and a head of black curls.

She smiled at Graylan, in a familiar and hungry way. That’s when Evie remembered her. She’d seen the woman with Graylan at the bonfire party.

Was she on his short-list for future wives? Evie’s belly curdled.

“Conqueror.” The older man bowed his head, as did his wife and son.

The young woman dipped in a graceful curtsy. “My Lord.” Then she glanced at Brodin and Evie, dismissed them, and focused back on Gray.

Graylan stared at the family. “Someone tampered with Taln’s planetary sensors.”

At Graylan’s words, all four stiffened.

“My Lord.” The older man looked shocked. “How could this have happened?”

“During maintenance carried out by your company, Misto.”

The man’s wife gasped and clutched her hands together.

The older man shook his head. “You can’t think that I, or my family, are responsible.”

“This had allowed Sarkan to amass troops on our soil. An invasion is imminent.”

“No!” the young woman cried.

All gazes turned to her. Graylan’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know something, Celestine?”

Her face leached of color, and she stepped back. “No, I… This can’t be.”

“Celestine, you asked to help with the sensor maintenance,” her father whispered. “For once, you showed an interest in our family’s work.”

Evie sucked in a breath.

Gray stepped closer, gold eyes burning.

“Speak, Celestine.” His voice vibrated with rage.

“It must be a mistake—” A tear rolled down her cheek, making her look even more exceptionally beautiful.

“Celestine,” her father snapped.

“They’re not supposed to invade! He said it was for the good of Taln. An alliance between Taln and Sarkan would help all our people.”

“You fell for Zavir’s lies.” Gray shook his head. “What did he promise you in return?”

The woman looked at the floor.

“Celestine!” Gray yelled, his voice echoing in the hall.

She flinched. “He promised that I’d be queen consort. That you and I would marry, and rule Taln peacefully.”

Her father made a choked sound. Her mother sobbed.

Her brother just looked shellshocked.

Gray nodded at Charno. The obsidian guards pushed away from the wall. “You were never going to be, and never will be, my queen consort.”

The guards led the crying Celestine away.

“Conqueror—” Lord Sardonyx’s voice cracked.

“Get to work fixing the sensors, Misto. I have a battle to fight.”

“Yes, my Lord. I’m so sorry.”

The Sardonyx family left. Gray turned away, his hands in fists.

She didn’t need Brodin’s pointed look. Evie wanted to help Gray. She walked to him, touched his back.

“I don’t know what to say. That sucked. Nothing makes betrayal better.”

He whirled, yanked her close and pressed his face to her hair.

“You don’t need to say anything,” he said. He was holding her tight, his eyes closed.

“Just hold on for however long you need,” she whispered.

But a few moments later, running footsteps sounded. Obsidian guards burst into the hall.

“Conqueror!”

Gray released her. “What’s wrong?”

“Something’s happening. Just outside the palace. You need to come now.”

GRAY SPRINTED BEHIND HIS GUARDS.

Brodin and Evie were right behind him.

He thrust open the doors onto the back terrace where they’d held the bonfire party. The terrace was empty this evening.

The last flush of day left a glow to the west behind the mountains. He turned and saw movement on the cliffside across the canyon.

Evie gasped.

A huge man with a set of large, brown wings hovered above the rocks.

“A tromian,” Brodin said.

“What’s that?” Evie asked.

“A species with wings. They’re good fighters, and often mercenaries. They like to kill.”

The man’s body was brawny. He wore a leather vest leading down to leather pants and heavy boots.

“He’s wearing Sarkan weapons.” Gray scowled.

“He’s one of Zavir’s hunters,” Charno said. “His name is Das. He travels with a pack of beasts, usually.”

A moment later Mal, Rhain, Thadd, and Annora thundered onto the terrace.

“What the fuck?” Mal said, staring at the tromian.

“Sons of King Sarkany,” the man boomed. “Join your father, and you can avoid the destruction of this planet.”

Mal snorted. “Zavir thought this would work?”

“Apparently,” Rhain bit out.

“What’s the next option?” Mal yelled back.

Das frowned. “He said you would need a demonstration of his power. Of things to come.”

The tromian held up a device. It fit snugly in the palm of his hand.

“What’s that?” Evie whispered.

Gray shook his head. “I don’t know.”

There was a flash of light from the device. Evie cried out, clutching her chest.

Gray whirled and grabbed her.

Suddenly, he felt a rush of energy building in the ground.

A quake hit.

He heard Rhain curse. Evie almost fell and he hauled her closer.

Across the canyon, rocks rumbled down the cliffside. Then he saw a crack forming, right below Das.

Creatures pulled themselves out of the crack. They loped up the cliffside. Their gray skin stretched taut over their bodies, and their long, powerful arms were good for climbing.

“Oh, God,” Evie said.

“Hexids,” Mal spat. “I hate those things.”

The hexids crouched on the rock ledges, staring malevolently across the gorge.

Then another hexid climbed out of the crack, carrying a limp body.

Gray frowned.

“What the gorr?” Brodin said.

It was carrying a woman.

The hexid laid the woman down on a flat rock. She was limp, unconscious, and bound by electro chains at her wrists.

Evie’s fingers dug into Gray’s arm. “Oh, God, that’s Dari. The palace worker who was assigned to me. She was missing today.”

Gorr.

Tense, Gray watched the woman lying there, precariously close to the edge.

There was another tremor.

“Look!” Mal pointed.

A blue substance was oozing out of the crack. It started to flow slowly down the hillside.

Poppy suddenly appeared on the terrace. “What’s going on?”

Brodin grabbed her.

“It’s blue lava,” Evie breathed.

“Oh, no, that’s not lava,” Poppy said. “We have this on Earth.”

“We do?” Evie said.

“It’s not lava, it’s the noxious gases burning. It gives the appearance of lava. It occurs on an Indonesian volcano and it’s hotter than lava.”

Gray gritted his teeth. It was flowing toward Dari. “We need to get the woman.”

He scanned and saw that Das had disappeared. Coward.

But the hexids hadn’t.

“We have some friends looking to stop us getting to her.” Rhain reached over his shoulders and pulled out his jagged swords.

Beside him, Mal did the same. Brodin lifted his hands, claws forming.

Thadd and Annora prepared to fight as well.

“A few hexids won’t stop us,” Brodin said.

Gray nodded.

“Gray, I want to help.” Evie’s face was determined. “Dari is my friend.”

“We’ll get her.”

Evie’s mouth pressed into a flat line.

“Stay here, carneela. Please.”

Then Gray raised his hand and called the rocks. Several flew up into the air, forming stepping stones across the canyon.

Mal, Rhain, and Thadd flew into the air, fueled by bursts of energy.

Brodin took a running leap, crossing the gorge in a giant jump. Annora leaped behind him.

Gray vaulted onto the stones, jumping from one to the other. He raised his hands and sent more rocks flying at hexids.

Charno and his obsidian guards appeared, lifting rocks into the air and attacking the alien creatures.

The clash of swords rang across the canyon. The Zhaltons had engaged, clinging to the side of the hill as they slashed at the hexids.

The Damari crossed the steep rocks with animal grace. Brodin tore into a hexid.

Another hexid leaped onto one of Gray’s rocks and growled at him.

He let the rock drop. The hexid fell into the canyon, arms and legs waving.

Gray saw movement and turned to see Evie leaping across his stepping stones behind him.

He scowled. “Go back!”

“Gray,” she yelled. “Dari!”

He swiveled and saw that during the fight, the blue fire was getting very close to the woman. She woke, screaming.

He sprinted across the rocks.

Gorring Zavir. Anger punched through him.

Evie followed right behind him. As he saw her leap over a gap between the stones, hanging in the air above the canyon, his heart squeezed. When she reached him, he pulled her close. He threw an arm out, trying to slow the blue fire.

But he felt more of the substance pouring up out of the crack.

Just like how the magma would swallow Gearma, if Zavir set off the weapon.

Gray roared and shoved more power into pushing the blue fire back.

He felt a hand on his arm.

Evie lifted her other hand up and joined her power to his. It interlaced seamlessly.

“There’s…too much.” Her face turned pained.

A thin rivulet of blue fire got close to Dari. The woman screamed, her hair burning. Even from a distance, Gray smelled burning hair and flesh.

“No!” Evie cried.

“I’ll get her.” Thadd leaped past, narrowly avoiding the blue fire. “Keep the stuff back.”

Evie and Gray poured even more power into forcing the blue fire to hold. Evie leaned against him and Gray’s legs shook.

Thadd scooped Dari up. Mal and Rhain took down the hexids trying to get to him.

“I… Can’t…” Evie wavered, her face pale.

Thadd leaped back onto a floating stone, then with another leap, landed back on the terrace.

“Retreat!” Gray ordered.

Evie collapsed. He let his power cut off and caught her.

Hauling her up, he jumped back across the rocks.

When he reached the terrace, Thadd was already there, holding a sobbing Dari in his arms.

“Get her to the doctors,” Gray ordered.

The Zhalton nodded and ran.

Evie stirred.

“Open your eyes, Evie,” Gray said.

She blinked at him, still pale. She gasped. “Dari?”

“We got her. She’s hurt, and Thadd’s taken her to the doctors.”

“Thank God.”

Gray set Evie down, but kept an arm around her.

His brothers and the others came to the railing. Together, they watched the blue fire flow down the canyon, lighting up the night.

It was both captivating and deadly. Exactly how Zavir could be.

“This was just a small taste of what’s coming,” Gray said.

Evie pressed against his side. “We’re all in this together.”

Suddenly, a starship appeared in the sky, lights blinding bright.

Evie made a strangled sound. “Is it Zavir?”

Gray studied the ship and smiled. “No. It’s friends.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Evie tried not to fidget as she stood in the Great Hall beside Gray, flanked by the others.

She wanted to be in the hospital wing, waiting for word on Dari. She’d checked once, and the doctors had told her that Dari was alive, but with serious burns. They were keeping her asleep and immersed in a healing tank.

Wringing her hands together, Evie tried to control her emotions. It was her fault the woman was hurt. Zavir had targeted Dari because she’d been taking care of Evie, been friendly to Evie. The man was a master of hitting where it hurt.

She glanced at Gray. He radiated intense focus. She knew he was feeling the ticking timeline with growing dread.

They needed a way to stop the weapon, and kill Zavir.

Oh, and battle the huge army waiting to slaughter them.

A sense of hopelessness threatened. Then she set her shoulders back. Screw that. She’d survived two years on that freaking space station.

She’d fight. She wasn’t giving up, now.

Plus, she wanted to help her new friends. She wanted to be there for Mal, Poppy, Annora, and Gray and his brothers.

The double doors at the end of the hall opened, and a small crowd entered.

Evie’s mouth dropped open.

Gladiators.

They were real, live gladiators.

The man in the lead had a muscular body clad in leather pants and a fitted black shirt that clung to hard abs. A black cloak hung from broad shoulders, and a black eye patch covered one eye. He walked like a man in charge. Every step he took gave off “Don’t mess with me” vibes.

The man keeping pace beside him had a similar build, and was a few years younger, with a red cloak. His chest was bare, showing off his amazing black-ink tattoos.

Behind them followed a tough-looking group of fighters. The hilts of swords, axes, and spears were visible on their backs.

Another group entered right behind them. They were gladiators as well…but not.

Evie blinked. Holy cow. She noted one with a mechanical arm made of silver-gray metal; another had several metallic implants over his shoulder and chest.

They were cyborgs.

The man in the lead of the second group was tall, with dark hair, and his dangerous-looking, cybernetic arm. She shivered. His face was impassive, one eye surrounded by a silver implant. Did these cyborgs feel emotion? A million questions popped into her head.

Then a handsome cyborg, with long, brown hair, caught her eye and winked.

Maybe they did.

A woman in fighting leathers beside the handsome cyborg elbowed him. He smiled down at her, and she pulled a face at him.

Clearly a couple. The woman was athletic, with a long braid, and a sword on her back.

Then she looked up and caught Evie looking. They both gasped.

“Quinn!” Evie said.

“Shit, Evie Mason?” the woman said.

Evie took a step forward, but Gray’s hand whipped out and grabbed her arm.

“It’s okay, Gray. I know Quinn. We worked for the same company.”

With a laugh, she moved forward. Quinn raced forward to meet her.

The taller woman hugged her. “God, Evie.” She pulled back, her smile dimming. “You’re the human who was captive on the Sarkan space station.”

Evie nodded.

Quinn’s mouth tightened. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m free now.”

The wattage of Quinn’s smile increased again. “Most of us have similar stories, but we made it.” She waved a hand. “You might remember Harper Adams.”

Another fit-looking woman, one of the gladiators, stepped forward.

Evie did a double take. “Harper Adams. Oh, my God. Security officer from Fortuna Station.”

Harper grinned. “Bet I could still beat you at poker.”

With a watery laugh, Evie hugged the other woman. She glanced back, and Gray and the others were smiling.

“There are several Fortuna survivors on Carthago,” Harper said.

“And from my ship,” Quinn added.

A hand landed on Quinn’s shoulder. It was the handsome cyborg.

“And this gorgeous hunk of cyborg is mine.” Quinn smiled. “Jax, meet Evie.”

Jax inclined his head. “Very nice to meet you.”

“And my man is the gladiator in the red cloak,” Harper said, face softening.

“The one with the awesome tattoos,” Evie said.

“That’s him. Raiden, champion of the Kor Magna Arena.”

Wow. Evie’s brain tried to put it all together. There were others like her close by, happy and living their lives.

Someone gripped her shoulder, and she looked up at Gray. He stood right behind her.

“Gray, there are others from the company I worked for on Carthago.”

He squeezed. “So, I see.” Then he inclined his head. “Galen. Magnus.”

“Conqueror,” the man with the eyepatch said. “We came as soon as we could.”

The big, scary cyborg inclined his head.

“I thank you, on behalf of my entire planet,” Gray said.

Mal squeezed past to hug Harper. “Sam stayed at home?”

“With her new baby,” Harper said. “Galen had to shout at her to get her to stay.”

“She had the baby?” Mal grinned and looked at Galen. “Congratulations, Imperator Daddy.”

A smile crossed Galen’s rugged face. “My daughter is already as fierce as her mother.” There was deep pride in his voice.

Introductions were made all around. Mal had met with Harper previously, but Poppy hadn’t. Evie learned about the other survivors from the Fortuna Space Station and the Helios exploration ship. And about the House of Galen and the House of Rone.

“You okay?”

She looked at Gray. “Yes. I am.” She touched his hand.

He smiled at her.

Then Magnus stepped forward. “Graylan, we heard about the weapon you’re working to destroy. It integrates both tech and organic parts?”

Gray inclined his head. “It does.”

“That happens to be an expertise of the House of Rone.” He waved a hand. “I brought one of my best.”

A shaggy-haired man stepped forward, scowling.

“Maxon is our weapons master,” Magnus said.

“Show me what you’ve got.” The weapons master’s voice was a deep rumble. “The quicker we sort this out, the quicker I get home to my workshop.”

“You mean to your pretty Earth mechanic,” another big cyborg with a wide chest and broad shoulders added.

“Yes.” Maxon crossed his arms. “Bellamy wanted to come, and it took a lot to convince her to stay on Carthago. If this takes too long…”

“She’ll hijack a ship and turn up here,” Jax said with a grin.

Maxon turned to Gray, Rhain, and Brodin. “So let’s get started.”

“I’ll show you what we’ve got so far,” Poppy said. “I’ve been working on it.”

“Everyone else, we’ll convene in my office to plan,” Gray said.

Evie shivered. Plan for war.

“WE NEED THREE TEAMS.” Gray stood at the head of the table. His top guards and commanders, brothers and their women, Galen and the gladiators, and Magnus and his cyborgs sat around the table. Poppy and Maxon were missing, busy working on assessing the weapon.

Evie sat to his right. She was quiet, listening to the plans.

She’d been so thrilled to see her other Earth friends. His chest tightened. Would she want to go to Carthago once this was all done?

He cleared his throat. He needed to focus on the upcoming battle. He needed to make sure she, his brothers, and his people survived.

He lifted a hand and a projection speared up from the table. It was a map of the Valley of Fire and Mount Umber.

“The first team will be all the best fighters. They’ll storm the valley and engage Zavir’s soldiers.”

Rhain leaned forward and smiled. “I believe this is my area of expertise.”

Mal elbowed him.

“With my fierce future queen by my side, of course.”

“Enough with the Q word,” Mal muttered.

“We’ll have a mixture of Zhalton, Damari, and Talnian fighters,” Gray said.

“And my gladiators are keen to join in.” Galen said.

Magnus nodded. “And my fighters as well.”

“Good,” Gray said. “Rhain, coordinate with Charno, and my army commanders. The Talnian soldiers will know the terrain best.” He looked at the rest of the table. “While the first team causes a distraction and keeps Zavir’s soldiers busy, that will help the other two teams to do their jobs. The second team needs to get to the weapon and deactivate it.” He looked at Brodin. “It needs to be a small team who can get Poppy and Maxon to the weapon. And do it stealthily and quietly.”

“A job for Damari wolves,” Brodin said. “And I’m not letting my mate out of my sight.”

Gray fought a smile. “I figured you’d say that.”

Brodin gave a firm nod. “We’ll take care of the weapon.”

Gray hoped so. The lives of so many innocent Talnians were at stake.

And he and his brothers knew Zavir wouldn’t stop with Taln. He’d keep going until Damar and Zhalto fell, too.

“And the final team?” Evie’s gaze bored into him.

“I’ll lead the final team, with just a few of my most trusted obsidian guards, to kill Zavir.”

Silence fell across the room. Something flashed in Evie’s eyes and he saw her hand ball into a fist on the table.

He knew she wanted to say something, but she stayed quiet.

“It’s late,” Gray said. “We all need refreshment, rest, and sleep. In the gardens, fires have been lit, and food and drinks are available. My palace staff will assign everyone rooms.” He scanned them all, pausing on his brothers. “I cannot express how much your support means to me and to Taln. Tomorrow, I go into battle knowing I have trusted allies, friends, and family at my side.” Gray nodded and stepped back.

As everyone rose to leave, Gray’s aide bustled forward. “Conqueror, I have several issues I need to run past you.”

He knew Basa was under stress with so many people in residence. “Of course.”

He watched Evie leave with some of the other Earth women. He wanted her to stay, but he dragged in a breath. He’d find her shortly.

BY THE TIME Gray made it to the gardens, tiredness was dragging on him. He needed rest, but he also needed to make an appearance at the gathering. On the eve of battle, a leader had to be seen and instill confidence.

But all he really wanted was Evie.

For a moment, he just wanted to forget everything, and hold her in his arms.

He stepped onto the garden terrace. People lounged on sofas, others stood in the gardens, clustered around the fire pits.

He heard talk and laughter, but felt the heavy sense of the impending battle in the air.

The calm before the storm.

He saw Evie with Mal, Poppy, Harper, and Quinn. So different, these women from Earth, but so similar. They all had an inner strength that helped them survive circumstances that would’ve crushed so many.

Gray made himself circle the party, talking, smiling. He answered questions, shored up morale.

But in his head, he was anything but calm. His powers were on a constant churn. Ready to act.

Finally, he decided it was time to leave. But as he looked around, he couldn’t find Evie.

He needed her.

“How are you holding up?”

He turned to find Rhain approaching, Brodin beside him.

Gray sighed. “I just want it to be over.”

His brothers nodded.

“You’re sure you can kill Zavir?” Rhain asked.

Gray’s gut churned. “It’s my duty.”

“I don’t mean that,” Rhain said. “I mean, is it even possible?”

“I won’t know until I try.” Gray paused. “If I…don’t make it back, then protect Taln.”

“You’re making it back,” Brodin growled.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure we’re free of his tyranny.”

Brodin growled and looked away.

All three of them knew this wouldn’t be easy, in so many different ways. For better or worse, Zavir was their father.

Gray met Rhain’s gaze. “And take good care of Evie.” He felt a painful throb in his heart.

“Are you going to tell her that you’re falling in love with her?” Rhain asked quietly.

Gray turned away, stared at the darkened gardens. He hadn’t dared give a name to the hot, strong emotion he felt for her. “No.”

“Graylan—” Rhain started.

Gray held up a hand. “It’s safer if I don’t. Safer to let her go.”

“Safer for who?” Rhain’s words were clipped. “You or her?”

Gray spun back, anger flaring. “For her.”

Rhain shook his head. “I think this is about you. About protecting yourself. Zavir fucked us all over in so many ways.”

“Nice Earth word,” Brodin said.

“Zavir messed with us, manipulated us, most of the time didn’t give a shit about us, and then sometimes he did, which just muddied the situation.” Rhain looked at Brodin. “That’s another Earth word. Mal has a large vocabulary of curse words.” He sighed. “Zavir has tried to or succeeded in killing our mothers, attacked us and our planets time and again. I get that caring for people hurts. Either they turn on you, or they’re used against you. Anyway, tomorrow’s battle comes first, but don’t lose the best thing that might ever happen to you, Graylan. This is your once-in-the-universe chance.”

Rhain and Brodin left him. Gray stared at the gardens and the lights of Gearma—all those people who depended on him. Then his gaze shifted to the shadows of the mountains.

He felt the strong beat of Lady Taln.

A power that could consume him.

For one night, he didn’t want to be conqueror. He wanted to take something for himself.

Except, he couldn’t find Evie.

He searched the party and finally tracked Mal down, talking with the cyborgs. The enhanced warriors towered over her, but she wasn’t intimidated.

“Mal, have you seen Evie?” he asked.

“She left.”

“Left?”

Mal nodded. “She was going to check on Dari, then go to bed.”

Gray gave them a stiff nod. “Thank you. Sleep well.”

He strode into the palace, making short time reaching Evie’s room.

She’d just left.

No. Tonight, she was sleeping in his bed. In his arms.

He thrust her door open.

She was still awake, and standing by the bed, illuminated by low light from the lamp.

She was only wearing whisper-thin underwear in palest green.

He stared.

“Graylan—” Her eyes went wide.

He strode in, need pounding inside him.

“What are you—?”

He cut her off by scooping her up, and tossing her over his shoulder.

Then he swiveled and strode for the door.

“Graylan! What the hell has gotten into you?” She thumped a hand against his back.

“You sleep with me. In my bed.” He strode out and headed toward his bedroom.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Graylan had lost his mind.

He’d just stormed into her room, gold eyes molten, and tossed her over his shoulder.

Evie fumed quietly. He was carrying her through the palace in her underwear. He was damn lucky they hadn’t run into anyone—a minor miracle, with so many people in the palace at the moment.

He shoved open a door and slammed it closed behind them.

The room whirled and Evie landed on a lake-sized bed covered in soft, gray covers.

She had a moment of distraction as she took in Gray’s bedroom.

It was done in tones of gray, with a few touches of color—deep greens and gold. There was an amazing painting of the mountains on the wall. Gold cushions rested on the couches and bed. A warm, leather couch sat in the seating area.

On the bedside table, she saw a notepad with small sketches. Her brain registered the fact that Gray could draw. She spotted a sketch of his hawk, Taron.

And one of her own face in profile.

She rose to her knees. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“You left.”

“I was tired, and I wanted to check on Dari.”

“I looked for you, and you were gone.”

Evie paused, pushing her emotions to the side and looked at him.

At a glance, he seemed fine. He’d been fine at the gathering, talking, and checking in with everyone.

Now she saw the strain, the tense way he held his body, his balled fists.

He was feeling the pressure. She sagged. He’d been out there, lending his strength and being a king to everyone.

And it had been taking its toll.

“Come here, Gray.”

He hesitated, his chest rising and falling. Finally, he sat on the bed. She reached up and stroked his jaw, and he pressed his face into her palm.

She realized he wasn’t all-powerful all the time. Gray needed someone to lean on sometimes, in the quiet moments, and just be the man, not the conqueror.

Oh, it felt so good to touch him. She reached for his shirt. He moved to yank it off over his head.

“No, let me,” she murmured.

She undid the buttons and pulled it off his shoulders. She traced her hands over his firm chest.

Desire was growing, hot and constant, but she forced herself not to rush.

She wanted to take her time.

“Evie.”

She looked up and saw need. Pure need on his face.

He lowered his head and claimed her mouth. His tongue parted her lips, and she kissed him back.

He groaned and Evie pressed into him. His skin was so hot.

His big hand slid around her and cupped her ass, pulling her flush against him.

The kiss turned deeper, needier. He pushed her back on the bed, and stripped her underwear off.

He stood beside the bed, and his pants were gone in seconds.

“Need you.” His voice was all grit and gravel.

Her gaze traveled down his hard body, down to the impressive erection.

This alien king—so handsome and gorgeous—needed her. It made her shiver.

She held out a hand.

Gray lowered his body over hers. He pressed another deep kiss to her lips, then his mouth moved lower. His teeth scraped down her neck, then his lips closed over one nipple and sucked.

Evie cried out. “Gray, yes.”

Soon he was going lower, between her thighs. He licked and sucked, zeroing in on her clit. Her orgasm was building, she was getting closer. Then his mouth was gone.

She cried out. “No.”

“Hang on, carneela.” He covered her, pushing her thighs apart. “You come with me inside you.” His eyes were aglow.

He nudged between her legs, cock thick and hard against where she was damp and empty.

Then he thrust inside her.

Evie cried out his name. She’d been hollow, and now she was achingly full. Full of Gray.

He groaned and started to move.

Oh, God. He was moving slowly. She felt every thick inch slide inside her.

His gaze locked with hers. She felt his power rise up, curl around them, accentuating everything.

“Gray.” She slid her hands down his back, digging her fingers into tight muscle.

But his thrusts stayed slow. Slow, deep, and delicious.

“This. I needed this. You.” His voice was so deep. “Everything feels right when I’m here.”

“Gray, please,” she panted.

“Anything.”

His next strokes were deeper, firmer. She tucked her thighs tight to his sides, holding on. Pleasure was sharp, like small bursts of heat, and growing larger.

She felt his power pulse around her. She gasped and absorbed it. Then she sent it back to him. He let out a low curse, his hips moving faster.

“Gorr, Evie.”

The power drenched her, combining with her pleasure. It made her skin feel electric. She gasped. “Is it always like this? With the power?”

“No.” His voice was even deeper. “Never shared power like this before.”

On his next thrust, her release hit like a violent shockwave. As the power-soaked pleasure drowned her, he shouted her name, his body shuddering. She felt him come inside her.

Evie couldn’t control her limbs. For a second, her vision blurred.

She blinked at the ceiling and realized she was held tight in Gray’s arms, her body tingling.

“That was…” She had no words.

“Perfect.” He kissed her neck.

Perfect would do. He said he’d never shared power like that before, and she liked that it had only happened with her.

Don’t get too attached, Evie.

Finally, her breathing returned to normal. Gray’s hold hadn’t loosened but she didn’t mind. She squeezed her eyes closed.

She wanted to suck up all this time with him. Make memories for later when he was no longer in her life.

She stroked his arm. “Let’s sleep now.”

Like he’d been waiting for permission, his body relaxed.

Evie fell asleep, secure in Gray’s warmth.

Then she was dreaming.

Not a nightmare, thankfully.

She was in a beautiful, mountain valley. There were pretty, yellow flowers everywhere. Gray was still asleep beside her. In this dream, she was wearing a sundress. Weird. Gray was in casual pants and a tunic top. She watched him sleeping on the grass, and smiled.

He was beautiful.

Rising, she picked a flower and sniffed it. It smelled lovely.

All of this was lovely.

She turned and dropped the flower. Her stomach hit her toes.

Zavir smiled at her.

“Hello, Evie.”

GRAY CAME AWAKE FAST, grass tickling his cheek.

He frowned. The temperature was hot for this time of year, and he appeared to be sleeping in a field.

No. He tensed. That wasn’t right.

He’d made love to Evie in his bed. He smiled. Finally, he’d had her in his own bed.

But the smile was gone in a flash. Where the gorr was he, and where was Evie?

He heard the murmur of voices, and sat up.

His woman was facing off with his father.

His heart catapulted into his throat, and he leaped up. He covered the distance to them in a few strides, and yanked Evie behind him.

“This is all your doing,” Gray spat. “I should’ve known.”

Zavir held out his hands. His expression was magnanimous.

He was fit and lean, and had a regal, appealing face, and dark hair. Zavir never looked young or old. This time, he was sporting a neatly trimmed beard.

“I just wanted to talk. I didn’t expect Evie to be asleep with you.” Faint censure in his voice.

“You invaded my dreams,” Gray said.

“To talk with you.”

Gray stared at the man who’d fathered him. Gray had inherited some features from Zavir.

But Evie’s words echoed in his head.

Zavir actively pursued and hoarded power, he couldn’t help himself.

Gray fought to control what was inside him, and not to abuse it.

He wasn’t his father.

“We have nothing to talk about,” Gray said.

“Don’t you want to avoid the bloodshed?” Zavir asked silkily.

Gray’s hand flexed. Evie shifted closer, throwing a scorching glare at Zavir. She pressed her palm to Gray’s arm. Not to take power, to comfort.

It helped Gray get a lock on his emotions.

Zavir was watching them, his gaze narrowed.

“We both know the bloodshed is unavoidable, unless you leave Taln.” Gray knew it would never happen, but he had to try. “Take your weapon, and troops, and leave.”

“Ah, you discovered my secret.” Zavir gave him a sincere look. “I didn’t want it to come to this. Come with me, Graylan. Convince your brothers to stand at their father’s side. Together, we’d be unstoppable.”

Gray shook his head. “We don’t want to be unstoppable. We want to rule our planets in peace, to live in peace.”

“Peace?” Zavir’s face twisted. “Peace is an illusion. A myth we tell our children. There is always someone starting trouble, someone looking to invade or take over. People need guidance. They need vision, to live in peace only power can create.”

“You mean your vision.” Zavir would never change. He would always have to be in charge, and impose his idea of life and society on everyone. Always be looking for the next planet to conquer.

Gray felt the throb under his heart. Zavir had to be stopped.

Evie squeezed Gray’s arm. He looked down at her and gave her a slight nod.

“The answer is no, father. It will always be no.”

Zavir sighed, then looked at Evie. “She’s not good enough for you. She’s a lab experiment.”

Gray felt Evie stiffen.

“She’s a woman,” he said sharply. “And she’s free. You don’t lock people in cages, Zavir. You don’t steal their blood.”

“I need her back. She’s too valuable to my scientists.”

“Fuck you,” Evie spat.

Zavir’s nose wrinkled. “You can have any woman. Ones more cultured, beautiful, and less coarse than this. I’ll give you the system’s most accomplished women to choose from—”

Shaking his head, Gray pulled Evie closer. “You’ll never see more than the surface. You never see past the gloss to the true things that matter. I don’t think you’re capable. I’m not joining you. I will protect my planet and her people. I will live my own life and choose my own woman.” He stroked a hand over Evie’s hip. “And you will not touch Evie. So, a battle is coming, Father. And I will stop you.”

Zavir arched a brow. “You really think you can defeat my army?”

“We’ll see,” Gray replied.

Zavir cocked his head. “You’ll try to kill me.”

“You’ve left me little choice,” Gray said with a touch of sadness.

Now his father smiled, and Evie stiffened.

It wasn’t a nice smile.

“You don’t think I’ve spent a lifetime ensuring my own safety?” Zavir said.

Coolness swept through Gray.

His father laughed and held his arms out. “My personal armor is impenetrable.” He touched his chest and there was a shimmer of blue. “It’s powered by a shard of Ekanite crystal. An inexhaustible energy source. It will never run out of power. And the crystal and controls are embedded inside my body so no one can destroy it.”

Evie gasped.

Gray swallowed. “Nothing is impossible.”

Zavir gave a low chuckle. “Graylan, I spent a fortune on Abiosis and its scientists. They weren’t just creating weapons.” His smile was pleasant now, filled with smugness. “They were finding ways to help me live forever.”

Gray felt a sense of unease. “No one can live forever.”

His father straightened. “I’ll come close. My important organs have all been removed and replaced with synthetic ones.”

With a growing sense of dread, Gray stared at the man who’d fathered him. “What?”

“Synthetic organs that will run forever. I no longer need to eat or sleep. The sweet irony is that I achieved all of this thanks to the small woman by your side. Her blood allowed my scientists to make the procedure viable.” Zavir thumped his chest. “I’m indestructible.”

Gray saw it in Zavir’s eyes. The solid confidence that he couldn’t be killed.

His father nodded. “I’ll leave you now. I see that you and your brothers are a lost cause. You’re too much like your mothers.” His gaze flicked to Evie. “And prone to distraction.” His gaze moved back to Gray. “I’ll see you on the battlefield, Conqueror.”

With a blink, Zavir was gone.

Seconds later, the meadow dissolved back into his bedroom.

Evie sat at his side on the bed, her body stiff. “That really happened?”

“Yes.”

Gray threw the covers off, dread filling him. “I can’t kill him. He’s indestructible.” A sense of hopelessness hit him.

He felt like he was eighteen again, trapped in the mountains, hunted.

“Gray.” Evie stepped in front of him, wrapped in a sheet. “We are not giving up.”

“You heard him. Even if I get to him, and find a way through his armor, his body is part machine. Near impossible to kill.”

She gripped his arms. “We are not giving up. We can’t. In my cell, I wanted to give up every day, but I didn’t.”

Gray cupped her face. “You are so strong.”

“We are not giving up,” she said again.

“Even when it’s a lost cause?”

She went up on her toes and kissed him. “It’s only a lost cause if you give up hope.”

“I can’t kill him. Hell, a part of me doesn’t even want to kill him.”

Evie froze, a look blooming in her eye.

“Evie?”

“Maybe you don’t have to kill him. I have an idea.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Evie took the warm mug of spiced tea from Gray and smiled.

She was wrapped in a fuzzy cardigan, and perched on the edge of his bed. Unsurprisingly, they hadn’t been able to get back to sleep.

Gray didn’t sit. He paced, hands pressed to the back of his neck.

He was so stressed.

She sipped the tea. She had to admit that waking up in a shared dream with Zavir was not fun.

She set the mug down on the bedside table. In the dream, she’d bitten her tongue, and let Gray talk. It had taken all she had not to launch herself at Zavir and scratch the man’s eyes out.

She could see what Gray meant. Zavir could be charming, sincere. But it was all covering a rotten core, one hungry for power and control.

“Gray?”

He turned. “I’ll listen to your idea, but we both know I have to kill him. I see no other way.” Gray made a growling sound. “He’ll kill my people. He’ll destroy Taln to force my hand.”

“Graylan, come here.”

He huffed out a breath, and his big body dropped to kneel in front of her.

She hugged him until she felt him relax a little. “What if you didn’t need to kill him?”

Gray’s brow creased.

“What if you trap him instead? Somewhere he wants to be.”

Gray’s frown deepened. “I think he’s too clever for a trap, and keeping him there would be difficult.”

“Not if you give him what he wants,” Evie said.

“Join him?” Gray’s face twisted.

“Not exactly.” She grabbed a selen orb off the table and held it up. “Is it possible to trap him in the world he wants? You said some people use these and don’t want to leave.”

He took the orb and turned it over. “It’s possible to remove some of the safety mechanisms.”

“He said he doesn’t need food anymore.”

“It would need a large power source to keep him trapped in there forever.”

“But he has one. He has one built-in to power his armor, right?”

Gray’s eyes widened. “Gorr. If we could trap him in the selen, his Ekanite crystal could power the orb indefinitely.”

“Trapping Zavir in a world of his own making,” she said.

“We just have to put his body in a secure location, so he could never be freed.”

Evie closed her hand over Gray’s on the orb. “Is it possible?”

His gaze met hers. She saw hope in them.

“Maybe.” He pulled her up. His kiss was fast and furious. “Get dressed, carneela. Let’s go and talk to the experts.”

An hour later, they were in Gray’s office. Poppy and Maxon had a plan to deal with Zavir’s weapon. Now, the pair had a second wind and were working feverishly on a selen orb with some other Talnian scientists, hoping beyond hope that they could create a trap for Zavir.

God, Evie hoped this worked.

Gray was off with his brothers, dealing with last-minute tasks with the troops, along with Galen and Magnus.

She sipped her second mug of tea and watched the sun rise over the mountains.

D-Day.

Whatever happened today, people would get hurt and killed.

A kernel of anger at Zavir was lodged in her gut. He was a fucking dinosaur, needing power and prestige at the cost of so many lives. The people of Zhalto, Damar, and Taln were past war. They knew living a good life had nothing to do with how much power you hoarded.

She sipped again. She might die today. The thought of any of her new friends, or Gray, dying…

Her hands tightened on the mug.

She’d fight to bring down Zavir. To help Gray.

To ensure he lived.

God, it was pretty dumb to fall in love with Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany, but she’d done it. Her heart knocked against her ribs.

“Hey.” Mal stepped up on her right. She was dressed in lightweight battle armor, a sword on her back.

“Morning.” Poppy stood on her left.

“Hi,” Evie said.

“Heard you had a rockstar idea to entrap Zavir.” Mal stole Evie’s drink and sipped. “Man, I miss real coffee.”

Evie looked back at the table. Maxon’s face held its usual fierce scowl, but she was starting to think scowly and grumpy was his default. She glanced at Poppy. “Can you do it?”

Poppy tiredly pushed her hair back. “Theoretically. We have a plan to disarm the weapon. And we’ve rigged an orb to trap Zavir, and not let him out.” Poppy let out a harsh breath. “But we can’t test them.”

“Which is killing her little scientist heart,” Mal said.

Poppy ignored her friend. “We have no idea if they’ll work. We’ve had to make so many assumptions and best guesses.” Poppy wrinkled her nose, showing just how much she liked that. “All we can do is hope for the best.”

The sun appeared over the mountains, bright and shiny.

Clearly, it didn’t get the message that they were going into battle today.

“It’ll have to do,” Evie said.

Mal would go with Rhain as part of the main fighting force. Poppy would be with Brodin to disarm the weapon.

“I’m going with Gray to trap Zavir,” Evie said.

Neither of the women seemed surprised.

“Okay, let’s plan for cocktails together in one week. I don’t care on which planet.” Mal smiled. “We’ll celebrate our win and our new lives.”

That was Mal. No giving up or surrendering.

“I prefer beer,” Evie said.

“I can arrange something.” Mal held out a hand.

“Cocktails it is.” Poppy put her hand over Mal’s.

Evie smiled at them. “I really like you guys.”

“Good.” Mal grinned back. “We like you, too. Although I get the impression our conqueror likes you a whole lot more.”

Evie put her hand over theirs. “Here’s to kicking Zavir’s ass.”

“Hell, yeah.” Mal said.

The men walked in.

Evie’s gaze went straight to Gray. “God, he is so handsome.”

“Rhain?” Mal said. “I know, but sorry, he’s mine.”

Poppy giggled.

Evie rolled her eyes. “Graylan.”

“He’s hot, too. After today, you two better finally accept that you guys are crazy about each other.”

Evie bit her lip as Gray glanced her way. “One battle at a time.”

First, they had to survive the day.

THE SHIP SHUDDERED as the mountain winds hit it.

Gripping the overhead handhold, Gray walked through the troop carrier, nodding to, and talking with, his fighters.

The ship was filled with a sense of preparedness, anticipation, and nerves.

When he reached the cockpit, he glanced through the viewscreen at the mountains ahead. They’d be landing soon.

They weren’t landing too close to the Valley of Fire. They didn’t want to alert Zavir’s army that they were inbound.

He walked back. He saw a small group of obsidian guards surrounding Evie. She was wearing black Talnian armor, and looked tiny.

Her face was pale, but when she looked up, she gave him a faint smile.

It helped. His chest was a tight knot, but her presence helped him.

Made him realize just what he was fighting for.

Gray loved her. He loved this survivor from Earth. He loved that she was quietly fierce, endlessly strong, and always looking for brightness in the dark.

With Evie at his side, he’d have a partner he could always depend on. Someone who’d call him out when he was wrong, and stand by him when he needed support.

Someone who’d love him, and help pull him back if his powers ever threatened to overwhelm him.

As he stared at her, she arched a brow.

He shook his head, and allowed himself to lean over and cup her jaw.

“We’re landing, Conqueror,” a guard called out.

He nodded, straightening. Other ships were dropping Rhain and Brodin’s teams into the mountains. Several contingents of fighters had driven in hours ago.

They landed in the valley adjacent to the Valley of Fire. Mount Umber loomed overhead.

Gorr. He hoped Brodin and Poppy could stop the weapon.

As he exited the ship, he scanned their growing army.

He spotted his brothers and their women. He saw them directing fighters and their allies. He and Evie walked toward them, and Rhain and Brodin broke away to meet him.

“This is it.” Rhain’s handsome face was carved like stone.

Brodin nodded. “It’s time to end this. Allow peace and prosperity for our planets.”

“And maybe Sarkan, too,” Evie said quietly.

Gray hoped that without Zavir, Sarkan could find a new path. But he knew there were plenty of power-hungry people willing to step into Zavir’s shoes.

If they even managed to trap Zavir today.

So many ifs.

“Be careful,” Gray said to his brothers and their mates.

“Fuck careful,” Mal said. “Go big, or go home.”

Rhain smiled at her, then kissed her temple. “Shall we go and start a fight, my queen?”

Mal’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll start a fight with you.”

“But you like my body parts just as they are.”

“True.” Mal hugged Poppy and Evie, then Brodin and Graylan. “Take care of my girls.”

With a nod, Mal and Rhain left. Thadd kissed Annora and then followed his overlord. The gladiators and cyborgs waited nearby, weapons in hand, ready for battle.

Galen and Magnus both caught Gray’s gaze. He nodded at them.

“Time for us to go too.” Brodin held Poppy’s hand. Annora was going with them, along with some other Damari.

Their job was to go wolf, and sneak into the caves with Poppy and find the weapon.

“Good luck,” Evie said.

“You too,” Poppy said. “I’ll be praying the orb works.”

Brodin’s team headed for the trees, picking up speed. When Evie looked back, she saw several huge wolves standing by Poppy. One nudged her and she stroked its dark fur.

“Wow,” Evie murmured.

“Impressive, aren’t they?” Gray said.

The wolves loped off, Poppy running beside them. While she couldn’t take a wolf form, her Damari transformation was obvious in her grace and speed.

“Time for us to go, too,” he said. “We need to find a high vantage point and search for Zavir.” Gray scowled. “He’d want to be close to the action.”

Evie blew out a breath. “I hope this works.”

“Me too.” But as a precaution, he’d issued warnings for Gearma. Many residents were ready to evacuate, and others had sent the old and young to nearby cities.

But he also knew many would stay to defend their homes.

Evie pulled out the selen orb.

At first glance, it was no different to the recreational ones. Just a little larger.

If Maxon and Poppy had succeeded, it should trap Zavir. Forever.

Gray prayed to Lady Taln it worked.

Evie turned and hugged him. “You’re not alone, Conqueror. We’re all in this together.”

He kissed her, uncaring of who was watching.

“I want this to work,” she said.

“I know. Now, let’s go and do our bit.”

Their team of Gray, Evie, Charno, and two other obsidian guards fell into a light run, heading up the mountainside.

When they finally reached the peak, Gray held up a hand. He motioned for Evie and the others to get down on their bellies.

They shimmied to the edge and looked down into the Valley of Fire.

“By Lady Taln,” Charno breathed.

One of the other guards made a choked noise.

From up here, Zavir’s army looked even larger.

Gray breathed deeply. They were invaders, here to harm his people.

He would not allow it.

He lifted a set of magnifiers to his eyes. “Search for Zavir.”

He scanned the battlefield. Scores of troops, fighters, hexids, war vehicles, more beasts came into clear view. His gut hardened.

But no sign of his father.

A tremor hit. He watched the army below brace. Some of the beasts kicked and hit the walls of their stalls.

Gray slid an arm across Evie until the shaking stopped.

“I don’t see Zavir,” Evie said, frustrated.

“Oh, he’ll be here. Close by. He’ll want to watch his master plan go into action.”

Gray spotted a commotion at the edge of the valley. Rocks were flying through the air, and smashing into beast pens. Several animals burst free and started rampaging through Zavir’s troops.

Gray smiled. “Rhain’s attack has begun.”

Talnians and Zhaltons burst out of the trees. Rocks and trees ripped from the ground, flying through the air.

Gray smiled. His people were very motivated. He swiveled the magnifiers, and found Rhain and Mal, weapons raised and glowing with charge. They cut into the Sarkan forces.

Next came the gladiators and cyborgs. They worked together with seamless precision.

Galen’s gladiators trained daily, and honed their skills in the arena. They fiercely ripped into the fight. He watched one gladiator slam a giant axe into a hexid. Swords whirled, and a female gladiator tossed a net, then another gladiator followed with a deadly throw of his spear.

Magnus leaped into a group of Sarkans and slammed his cybernetic arm down. It crackled with energy and fighters all flew into the air. The cyborgs fell on them.

The battle was underway.

But where was Zavir?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

With horror and awe, Evie stared at the fight. She spotted Mal, sword swinging and looking badass.

The woman leaped over black rocks and rivers of lava, Rhain at her side.

Talnians, Damari, and Zhaltons were all fighting side-by-side. Sarkans, their mercenaries, and beasts were not going down easily.

There was a roar of engines. Heavily armored Sarkan vehicles, with huge wheels, rumbled into view.

Evie’s chest hitched. There were huge guns on top of the vehicles.

Red lasers fired.

Rhain leaped, knocking Mal out of the way. Lasers cut into the rocks and fighters. Nausea swirled as Evie saw Talnian fighters go down.

“Oh, God,” she breathed.

Gray gripped the back of her neck.

“They need help.” More Sarkan vehicles rumbled over the rocky ground.

“Wait,” Gray said.

“Gray, they’re dying—”

There was a whoosh of sound. Sleek, black Talnian ships flew overhead. Five of them. They dipped and darted like birds of prey.

Missiles launched from the wings and arrowed toward the Sarkan vehicles.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

She watched the vehicles explode and enemy troops scatter.

Her mouth dropped open, hope flaring.

“Gray,” came Brodin’s voice in her ear.

They all wore small, circular patches pressed to the skin behind the ears. Fancy Talnian communicators.

“Confirming we’ve entered the tunnels,” Brodin said.

Gray touched behind his ear. “Acknowledged. Brodin, let me know when you reach the weapon.”

Evie’s palms pressed to the rocks below her. Poppy and Maxon had decided the best way to deactivate the weapon was to pull the pieces apart. If they smashed or fired on it, they risked detonating it.

The Damari would sink their claws into the joints of the weapon and pull it apart.

Please work.

The ground shook. For a second, she thought it was another quake, but it wasn’t strong enough.

She squinted through the steam rising off the battlefield. There were several large boxes about the size of trucks in the distance. She’d assumed they were gear for Zavir’s troops. She could just make out tiny Sarkans clambering over one.

The doors of it swung open.

Something pulled itself out of the box.

Her heart stopped. Sarkan soldiers sprinted out of the way.

“Gray…”

“I see it.”

The giant body unfolded. Its skin was a sickly green, and it had a massive humanoid body. It straightened to its full height and roared.

It made Evie think of a troll from the stories in the battered fairytale book she’d had as a kid. It was gigantic, with green skin, and a ripped, muscular body.

It roared again and lumbered forward. It took swipes at soldiers with its huge hands—it didn’t care if they were Sarkan or Talnian.

It grabbed a Sarkan soldier and the man screamed. The beast battered him against the ground.

Then it lumbered on, picking up speed and heading toward their fighters.

Jesus. How could they fight this?

“Don’t worry.” She realized it was Galen’s deep voice on the communicator. “My team has this.”

Evie’s gaze traveled along the ground. She saw several gladiators racing toward the creature.

They had no armor. Their bare chests were crisscrossed with leather harnesses. Their weapons were already in their hands.

God, they looked tiny beside the creature.

Then she blinked. Wait, were they laughing?

She watched, entranced, as some of the gladiators distracted the alien troll, darting in to slash at the giant’s ankles. A female gladiator leaped up one side. It was Harper. A man grabbed onto the troll’s arm on the other side. Raiden. They gripped the creature’s arms and climbed. It spun and roared.

It was clear the gladiators knew what they were doing. They worked as a team.

“They’re incredible,” she whispered.

“They fight beasts in the arena.” Gray watched the gladiators hack and stab at the troll.

Harper got to the giant’s head, and stabbed it in the eyes.

It teetered and she stabbed again. With a roar, it toppled over.

Once it was on the ground, the gladiators finished it off.

Evie grinned. Then some of the steam cleared and her grin faded.

She saw the other boxes were opening as well.

Oh, no.

A giant, four-legged creature barreled forward. It had armor over its thick, sturdy body and a horn on top of its head. It looked vaguely like a rhinoceros. It rammed into fighters.

Another beast, this one moving on six powerful legs, skittered across the battlefield. It sprayed a green mist from its mouth.

When the mist hit fighters, they screamed, their skin melting off their bones.

The Sarkans rallied, bellowing as they raced to attack.

The tide had turned again.

“No.” Evie looked at Gray. His mouth was a hard line. “We have to help them.”

“Can you see Zavir?” he asked.

She looked around again and shook her head.

“Charno, stay here,” Gray said. “I’ll be back.”

Evie stepped up beside Gray. “We’ll be back.”

He met her gaze, then gave a reluctant nod. He pulled her close and raised a hand.

The ground rolled beneath them and rose up like a wave.

Wow. The wave of soil carried them down the mountain. She absorbed Gray’s power as they moved, felt it flowing strongly through her veins. She could do it so easily now, with barely a thought.

They landed at the base of the mountain, right in the middle of the fight.

Evie focused. “Let’s do this.” She slammed her foot down.

Dark rocks flew up, pelting the Sarkan fighters.

Gray threw out a hand. Heavy slabs of rock flew into the air and clamped onto the rhino creature, pinning it down.

Evie waved her hand. Soil rose up like a dark river into the air, and she sent it streaming at the enemy.

But the spider beast darted closer and screeched. She knew they needed more firepower.

“Gray!”

His jaw was clenched, and he reached for her. He pulled her into a quick, hard kiss.

She looked into his golden eyes. In the center of them, a pinprick of aquamarine light appeared.

Her brow creased. “Gray?”

“It’s going to be fine.” His voice was eerily calm. He set her aside. Then he stomped his foot down.

Fierce power reared up, choking her. The ground shook ahead of them and split. Gray directed more power, and a chasm tore across the battlefield, separating the two fighting groups.

Oh, God. The strength of Gray’s power buffeted her. It was so strong.

Lava dripped into the chasm, and Sarkan soldiers tumbled in. The rhino broke free of the rocks and sprinted forward. It couldn’t stop, and fell into the crevasse.

Evie focused her power on the lava. She could feel it, like a heartbeat inside her. God, she felt powered by a supernova.

The lava obeyed her command, rising up in a molten ball. Sarkans dived out of the way, but she moved her hand and directed it at the spider beast.

Lava splashed the creature, and it screamed. It teetered around, knocking into people before it collapsed, crushing several soldiers beneath it.

With a cheer, the Talnians created steppingstones across the gaping hole in the ground. Zhaltons used their energy to jump, and Damari wolves leaped over the crack.

Their fighters tore into the enemy.

She turned to Gray. She saw him looking up at the hillside across the battlefield.

She followed his gaze.

And saw Zavir standing alone, watching the battle below.

Then the Sarkan king winked out of existence.

Gray’s face twisted.

“Gray?” Brodin’s voice. “We have a problem.”

“What is it?” Gray asked.

“The weapon isn’t in here.”

Evie pressed a fist to her chest. No. It had to be.

“We’re on our way,” Gray said.

GRAY KEPT a lock on his anger as he and Evie rejoined Charno and his guards.

“You heard?” Gray asked his senior guard.

Charno nodded.

“We need to get into the caves.” His men fell in behind him and Evie. They raced toward the cave entrance.

The weapon couldn’t be far away. Gray had people monitoring the fault line. No one had seen the weapon being moved.

They’d find it.

They had to.

The sound of the battle raged behind them. He hoped that he and Evie had helped Rhain and his team enough to get the upper hand.

Zavir had seen the losses. He wouldn’t be happy.

Laser fire whizzed past him. A Sarkan guard sprung out from behind a rock. Gray stepped in front of Evie, covering her, and held up his palm.

A rock ripped free of the wall, and hovered in front of them like a shield. The laser fire peppered it.

Then Evie darted out and threw both her arms up.

Rocks rained down from above and engulfed the Sarkan.

His fierce Earth woman.

He dropped the rock shield and took her hand. They sprinted into the cave, eyes adjusting to the lower light levels. His guards followed right behind.

“Let’s find Brodin,” he said.

They ran, and thankfully encountered no other Sarkan fighters. Everyone was clearly out on the battlefield.

They broke into the cavern. Damari fighters spun, claws raised, but he knew that they would’ve heard them coming with their acute hearing.

“It’s just us,” Gray said.

The rock plinth where they’d seen the weapon before was empty.

“Shit.” Evie walked toward it, touching the empty rock.

“Evie, can you sense the weapon?” Gray asked.

She pressed a hand to her chest. “I’ll try. Everyone back up a bit.”

The Damari and obsidian guards retreated to the tunnel entrance and Evie closed her eyes.

“I can feel it. It’s faint.”

“Zavir is with it,” Gray said. “I know it.”

“Where would he take it?” Brodin said. “We have fighters all along spots in the caves, where the fault line is easily accessed.”

Gray shook his head. If they didn’t find the weapon soon…

Evie frowned. “It’s not far. I’m not sure.” Her eyes opened. “The energy feels like it’s…in the air. That makes no sense.”

Gray stared at her, his mind whirring. “Wait.” He cursed. “He’s taken it to the top of Mount Umber. He’s going to detonate it in the crater of the volcano.”

Brodin echoed Graylan’s curse. “We have to move. Now!”

They raced out of the tunnels and broke into the sunlight. The battle still raged in the valley below.

Gray hoped that Rhain, Mal, and their allies were okay.

Several Damari shifted into wolves, and started running up the mountainside.

“Evie.” Gray held out an arm.

She pressed against him.

He called on the rocks and soil, power building beneath him.

Once again, the dirt rose up like a wave. This time, it carried them upward. He steadied his legs and bent his knees to keep his balance.

Evie added her power to his and they moved faster.

Brodin and the others fell back, but Gray knew they’d keep coming and catch up.

The valley got smaller, and finally they crested the top of Mount Umber. It was covered in a pristine layer of snow.

And there was Zavir.

Gray brought them to a stop and the soil subsided.

Zavir stood beside a boulder, the weapon resting on it. It glinted in the sunlight.

“Finally,” Zavir smiled.

He looked like he was meeting them for a picnic. He had a relaxed, trusting smile in place.

His father cast a quick glance at Evie, then looked back at Gray.

“You can end this.” He gestured at the battle below. “I’ll still let you rule Taln. And more than that, together, we can rule the entire Sarkany System, and beyond.”

“No,” Gray said.

Zavir shook his head. “You are the most powerful and ambitious of my sons. I know that you’re looking into an arranged marriage, to avoid the distraction of emotional entanglements. I know that you’re capable of more. Of using your power for incredible things.”

“I have what I want.”

“Just this planet and…” Zavir eyed Evie “…a small, inferior woman from a backwater planet. She’s not special.”

“Her blood is though, isn’t it?” Gray said.

Evie was still, watchful. She was watching Zavir like Taron watched prey.

“Yes. She’s a very good lab specimen. But she’s not fit to be your consort.”

Gray shook his head. Zavir wouldn’t, couldn’t, ever understand. “You have no concept of true strength or power. Or loyalty. This woman is a hundred times more special than you.”

She looked up at Gray, her lips parting.

“She’s strong, understanding, loyal and caring.”

Her lips trembled.

Zavir shook his head. “She’s just another thing holding you back. Like this planet, I think.”

“That’s why you want to destroy it?”

“Join me,” Zavir said. “Then I won’t have to destroy it.”

“And my brothers?”

Zavir waved a dismissive hand. “You can rule over them as you please.”

Gray took a deep breath. Zavir really cared about nothing and nobody but himself. He had no loyalty. He would never change.

“No.”

Zavir looked to the sky. “I wanted strong, powerful sons to help me. Not stubborn ones who throw everything away.” His father looked back and reached for the weapon. “You leave me no choice.”

Gray tensed. “No!” He threw up his hands.

Zavir sank to his knees in the soil.

Evie sprang forward, her arms out. She whirled them around and rocks rose up, all narrow, thin, and needlelike. She pointed to the weapon.

The rocks flew. They cut into the joints of the weapon, burrowing deeper.

Zavir cursed.

The weapon flew apart, parts hitting the ground. The organic parts hit the snow with wet, squelching sounds.

Gray smiled at her. She winked.

Gorr, he was so in love with her, and couldn’t wait to tell her.

“It’s over, Father. Your weapon is destroyed.”

Zavir shrugged, which made Gray freeze.

“It’s never over. You just change your strategies, and try something new.” Zavir touched something on his armor and suddenly his body propelled up out of the dirt.

Gray’s jaw tightened.

“If you expect your guards and allies to arrive to help you, they’ll be waylaid. I always have a back up plan.” Zavir held his palm up and Gray saw it start to glow. He had a weapon built into his glove.

A pulse of laser flew through the air.

“Evie, down!” Gray yelled.

But Zavir hadn’t aimed at Evie, he’d aimed at Gray. Rocks flew up, and the laser exploded them into shards.

“You missed,” Gray said.

“No.” Zavir smiled. “I didn’t.”

He lifted his other hand. This glove had a projectile built into the wrist. It was shaped like a spike. He fired.

At Evie.

“No!” Gray’s shout echoed across the mountaintop.

The spike hit her right in the center of her chest.

She jolted and looked down at the end protruding out of her.

“Evie.” He took one step toward her.

“Stop, Graylan,” Zavir said. “Or the next spike is between her eyes.” He lifted his glove again.

“It’s…okay,” Evie said.

Gray watched blood running down her armor.

Pain ripped through him. He hadn’t protected her.

She dropped to her knees. “It’ll be okay, Gray.”

She was lying. Nothing would be okay.

His heart was on her knees, bleeding. Dying.

Power welled. It curled inside him, growing in intensity.

The quake hit, shaking the ground violently. He knew he’d caused it.

Evie met his gaze. It was steady, despite the pain he saw there. She held up a hand.

“You have to do what’s best for you, for Taln.”

That’s when he spotted the selen orb in her palm, hidden from his father’s view.

He had a job to finish.

And if he had any chance of getting help for Evie, he had to deal with Zavir first.

“I’ll ask you again, Graylan,” Zavir said. “Will you join me?”

Gray let his shoulders slump. “Fine.”

Zavir straightened, his smile wide. “You’ll join me?”

“Yes.” Gray tried to sound sincere. “Let me say goodbye to Evie first.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Evie breathed through the pain. It really, really hurt. She felt blood seeping through her fingers, but she didn’t take her gaze off Gray.

God, he was beautiful.

She saw that he was barely holding it together.

But they had to finish this. They had to stop Zavir, and make it count.

She tried not to show just how badly she was hurting. She felt like the life was leaking out of her.

She didn’t want to leave him. A part of her howled inside. She’d just found him, hadn’t even told him how she felt.

He crouched in front of her. “Evie—”

His voice was dark, soaked with pain.

“Hey.” She tried for a smile.

When he cupped her cheeks, his hands felt scorching hot. She sucked in a sharp breath. Power was pumping off him. It poured into her, pooling in her belly. She bit her lip and her wound throbbed.

God, so much power. His eyes were now a brilliant aquamarine.

Oh, no. He was tapping deep into his power.

“Gray, stay here. Don’t lose control.”

“He hurt you.” His voice was cold and emotionless.

“Gray.” She kept her tone sharp. “You have to finish it.” She fumbled for his hand.

His fingers curled around hers and she passed the orb to him.

“Save your planet, our friends…”

“And you.” Now his voice was fierce. “You hold on, Evie.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t want to lie to him. “I’ll hold on.”

But she felt the coldness spreading, even as his power pumped into her and tried to stop it. “Gray—”

He leaned down and kissed her.

The storm of emotions and pain quieted. Here, it was just the two of them.

Here, her world was perfect.

He’d live. That was all that mattered.

She wasn’t alone. For two long years, empty and lonely, she’d had no one. But every time Gray kissed her, she felt connected.

She felt like they were one.

She drew in the taste of him, holding back her tears.

“Hold on,” he whispered.

“I’ll hold on. You do what you have to do.”

He nodded and rose reluctantly, like he could barely pull himself away from her.

Then he faced his father, the orb tucked into his strong hand.

“You’re making the right choice, my son,” Zavir said.

Gray closed the gap between them.

Evie could still hear the low murmur of their voices, but it was getting too hard to concentrate on the words.

Get him to touch the orb. Her vision wavered.

She couldn’t distract Gray. If she collapsed now, he might abandon the plan.

Her legs wobbled and it took everything she had to stay in place and not fall over.

Zavir held out a welcoming hand.

Gray reached out…and their palms touched.

Both men froze.

Evie let out a shuddering breath. He’d done it.

She no longer heard the sound of the battle behind her. She kept her gaze on Gray’s face.

I love you.

Then the world faded, and she toppled over.

ALL SOUND DISAPPEARED.

There was no battle or shouts. Just the wind whispering across the peak.

Gray saw Zavir frown.

He glanced over. There was no Evie here. Just the empty spot where she’d been, her blood pouring out of her.

He was terrified for her.

Hold on, Evie.

He looked up and met his father’s gaze.

“What have you done?” Zavir spat. “Where are we?”

“This is your new world, Father.”

Zavir’s frown deepened.

“You can make it whatever you want. Create anything you please.”

“It’s not real.”

“We modified a selen orb. It’s coded to your genetic sequence. This is where you can be all-powerful, without hurting anybody else.”

“This is a fantasy.” Zavir kicked the snow. “You can’t keep me here. I’ll escape.”

“We made it so you can’t. The safety disconnect feature has been disabled, only for you.”

“You tricked me.” Rage throbbed off Zavir.

“Yes. You’ve hurt too many people. You’ll never leave us alone. You’ll go after everyone we love.”

Zavir snorted. “That small Earth woman you think you love, she’s probably already dead.”

The words were a stab to Gray’s heart.

Finish this so you can help her.

“I will get out of here,” Zavir said firmly.

“As you told me, your body is indestructible, and you no longer need food.”

Zavir shook his head. “The orb will run out of fuel eventually.”

Suddenly, Brodin appeared. He must’ve caught up with them and touched the orb.

Gray’s heart thumped. That meant there would be Damari helping Evie.

Zavir tossed his head back. “Ah, I see my hexids didn’t hold you back for long.”

“No,” Brodin growled. “You’ll never leave here.”

“You’d need a never-ending power source to fuel the orb,” Zavir said.

“We have one,” Gray said.

Zavir’s brows sank low.

“Your own armor,” Gray told him. “Brodin’s clever human mate rigged the orb to run off the Ekanite crystal shard in your own body.”

Shock crossed Zavir’s face, and he stumbled back. “No.”

Rhain appeared. “It ends here, Zavir.” Rhain’s face was set like stone. “All you’ve taught us is fighting, war, and ambition. Pain. Our mothers taught us loyalty, duty…”

“And love,” Gray said. “And now we all have amazing, brave women by our sides.”

“To help us rule in peace,” Brodin said.

“No.” Zavir dropped to the ground, shoulders slumping. “All I wanted was my sons.”

“All you wanted was more power, more weapons for your arsenal. That’s all we ever were to you.” Gray needed to get back to Evie. “Goodbye, Father.”

“Graylan…” Zavir’s face contorted.

Gray relinquished the orb world and blinked back into reality.

Brodin and Rhain were standing beside him. Both were splattered with blood and gore.

“I need to get back to the battle,” Rhain said.

Gray nodded and whirled.

Icy fear flashed over his skin.

Evie lay on her back. Several Damari, and Poppy, were leaning over her.

“Evie!” he raced to her side.

Poppy looked up, tears streaming down her face. “We’re losing her.”

“No. No.” Gray grabbed Evie’s limp hand. Her eyes were closed, her face peaceful. “Evie, hold on.”

“She’s lost too much blood,” the Damari medic said. “The spike nicked something vital.” The man kept working. “I’ve removed it, but can’t do much for her here.”

“Evie,” Gray cried, fear cutting into him.

She opened her eyes. “Gray?”

He bent over her. “You have to live. Don’t leave me.”

“Zavir?” she asked.

“Trapped. Your idea worked.” He glanced at his father. Zavir stood there, motionless, eyes open and sightless.

“We did it.” A dreamy smile crossed her face. “Good. You’re safe.”

“I need you.”

“Said you’d never…love.”

“And I believed that, until I fell in love with you.”

Her lips parted. “Oh, Gray. I love you, too. I tried not to.”

He laughed painfully. “Then we are perfect for each other. You can’t leave me.”

She grimaced. “I don’t want to.”

The medic poured blue med gel into her wound.

“Save her,” Gray demanded.

“I’m trying my best, Conqueror.” The man’s solemn gaze said it wouldn’t be enough.

Poppy sobbed quietly into Brodin’s chest.

“Conqueror.” Charno stepped forward. “The battle is still raging. They have no idea that Zavir is no longer in charge. We’re taking heavy losses.”

Gray made a pained, enraged sound. He couldn’t leave Evie.

“Go,” she whispered. “Save your people and our friends.” She moved her hand and squeezed his. “You’re such a good king.”

He bowed his head. How could he handle this? How could he lose her and still function?

“Go,” she urged again. “I’ll be waiting.”

He made himself rise.

Anger grew, writhing like a wounded beast. He walked toward the cliff edge. His power swelled.

“Gray?” Brodin’s voice sounded far away.

Gray poured his grief into the soil below him.

Taln responded.

He started tearing his armor off his body.

He heard the worried voices around him but ignored them.

Down below, he saw the Talnians and their allies fighting. Many were dead or hurt. They’d given their blood to defend Taln.

Just as Evie had.

Enough was enough.

His power rose up, gripping his bones, sinking into his organs, and winding around his veins.

Yes.

He felt the strength of his planet in him.

The heartbeat of Taln.

He looked down at the battlefield.

For Evie.

He threw his hands out and stomped his foot down. Power swelled. Tattoos appeared on his chest, glowing a brilliant, aquamarine color, and his back burned.

Power flowed from him.

It flowed down the hillside like a giant wave. It picked up rocks and soil, creating a huge cloud. It washed over the battlefield, and when it hit the Sarkans and their creatures, the debris clamped onto them, freezing them in place.

It looked like a field of statues.

His fighters all looked up at him, stumbling backward.

“Gray?” Brodin’s deep voice held a cautious edge.

Gray let loose with another blast of power. The statues were obliterated, turning to dust on the wind.

Now, he saw his own fighters running away. Afraid.

Yes, they should all be afraid of his power.

“Gray, enough!” Brodin barked.

Graylan turned to look at his brother. Was Brodin envious? Did he covet Gray’s power?

“Evie hasn’t got long,” Brodin said. “She needs you.”

Gray blinked and looked at his hands. His veins glowed a bright blue-green, like the tattoos on his chest.

Power. He possessed the power to fight, to kill, to take. The power to destroy. It was what Zavir had wanted.

But as he felt another pulse of power from the planet, he realized there was something else. The power of life. He felt the rivers, the lakes, the plants.

In his mind’s eye, he saw the seasons of Taln. Leaves in a hot flash of color, snowcapped peaks in the winter, the first blush of spring covering everything in green, and the same mountains covered in a blanket of summer wildflowers.

He saw Evie frowning, smiling, laughing. Saw her watching him with desire, affection, worry, and love. Felt the way she’d held him as he loved her.

He knew the power of life. Of loyalty, family, and friendship.

He turned to where Evie lay, motionless and dying.

He now also knew the power of love.

Gray walked toward her. Under his boots, flowers sprung up through the snow.

He dropped to his knees beside her, and the others moved back.

“Evie.” He pressed a hand over her wound.

He felt her stuttering heart, and he almost faltered.

Then he felt the faintest pulse of power from her, weak but there. His Evie, always fighting to survive.

Their powers meshed.

Meshmate. The word whispered through him. Of course, he should have realized. Evie was his mate.

Taln and its power wove itself around him and Evie. His hand glowed aquamarine, and he poured the power into her.

Evie gasped, her body arching. Her eyes snapped open. Now, there was an aquamarine ring around her green eyes.

He poured life, the very soul of his planet, into her.

He used his power for life, not death.

Her hand closed on his wrist. “No more.”

He stared into her face. “I can’t lose you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” She cupped his cheek. “Come back to me, Graylan.”

Her words and touch were like a cool breeze over the flames. The power died. The heady, electric feeling rushed out of him.

Evie smiled. “Hey.”

He lifted his hand. He saw the wound was still there, but half healed.

“I’m okay,” she said.

Realization hit him. Zavir was gone, Taln was safe, he hadn’t succumbed to his power, and Evie was alive.

He made a raw sound.

She sat up and wrapped her arms around him.

“It’s all right. I’m right here.”

“Evie.” He buried his face in her neck.

She held on tight.

When he finally found the strength to raise his head, she smiled at him. “Did I hear you say you loved me?”

Emotion filled him—rich and powerful. “Yes.”

“Good. I love you too, Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany.”

“I have bad news,” he said.

She arched a brow.

“I’m never letting you go, Evie Mason. You’re my meshmate.”

“Your what?”

“The one whose power meshes perfectly with mine. I’ll explain more later.” He nuzzled her. “You’ll be my captive forever.”

She smiled. “I can live with that. With you, I’m free.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mmm. Evie woke to warmth and pleasure.

She opened her eyes. She was lying in Gray’s big bed in the palace, a fire filling the room with warmth, and morning sunlight coating it in gold.

She moaned. The pleasure was from the sexy man touching her.

She looked down her naked body to the dark head between her thighs.

Gray’s big hands pushed her legs apart, his tongue lapping at her core.

“Gray.” She arched up.

He gave her another lick. “Good morning.”

“Waking like this makes it a very good morning,” she breathed.

His gold eyes looked up at her, and her chest hitched. There was that intense look she knew so well, but it was also filled with desire and love.

His head lowered and he stopped teasing. He licked and sucked with intent, making her cry out.

“You taste like my favorite spiced honey, Evie. I love it. I’m addicted.”

She sank a hand in his hair, and held him there. She wrapped one leg around his head.

Then his mouth closed on her clit.

“Oh!”

He slid a finger inside her, then two, working her as he kept sucking. She screamed.

The orgasm hit like the largest earthquake. She sobbed his name, drowning in pleasure.

With a growl, Gray rose to his knees. His cock was swollen and hard, rising up against his hard abs.

“I need you inside me,” she murmured.

Desire blazed from his eyes. He leaned over her, lined up his cock, and slid home.

Evie’s mouth dropped open in a soundless gasp. He filled her so well.

Joined them as one.

His gaze locked with hers, and she wrapped her legs around him.

She expected fast, hard, and rough, but while his thrusts were deep, he took his time. Long, slow plunges that hit all kinds of spots inside her.

“Gray!” Her hands flexed on his shoulders.

“Evie. You’re so tight and silky around me.”

“I love you inside me,” she whispered.

He thrust faster, face twisted with pleasure and need. His big body was shaking, his gaze hot on hers. “I love you.”

She felt his power skate over her, rich and strong. She would never get tired feeling it, or of hearing him tell her that he loved her. She drew his power into her and gave it back. It wound them up tightly.

“I love you, too,” she said. “Now, move faster.”

His lips quirked, and he obeyed.

This. She wanted this for the rest of her life. Gray driving into her, the pleasure of his big cock filling her. They’d been born to be like this, connected together.

His next thrust catapulted her into another blinding release.

As she cried out, he thrust deep, his cock buried inside her as he growled through his own climax.

Then, the only sound in the room, other than the crackle of the fire, was their uneven breathing. She clung to him, loving that he was still inside her.

She realized now that while sex could be fun and pleasurable, making love could shatter you in the best ways, physically and emotionally.

Gray shifted, and dropped a kiss to her bare shoulder. “My meshmate.”

God, she felt good.

They’d won the battle. Zavir was gone. And she was in Gray’s arms.

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her sternum. She smiled, and realized he was kissing where she’d been injured.

There was no evidence left of her wound, not even a scar. After what Gray had done, coupled with the doctor’s healing on the way back to Gearma, she was one hundred percent healed.

“I’m okay,” she told him quietly.

He nodded, and played lazily with one nipple. “I know. It’ll just take some time for the memories to fade for me.”

She cupped his stubbled cheek. “We won, Gray. Your father is where he can’t hurt anyone. Maybe he’ll learn some lessons over time. Your planet and people are safe. Your brothers are safe.”

“And the woman I love is safe.” He smiled. “And naked in my bed.”

She grinned. “I like it here.”

“Good.” He sat up and reached over to the bedside table. Evie got distracted by the expanse of bronze skin stretched over that delicious back. She wanted to bite him. There were no longer any signs of the aquamarine tattoos that had appeared when his power had activated.

He turned back, cupped her palm, and tipped something onto it.

Evie stared at the beautiful, gold stone earrings. They were so polished they shone, and reminded her of his eyes.

“It’s customary on Taln to give your loved one a piece of jewelry to signify your love and commitment,” he told her.

“And warn others off?” she asked.

“Exactly.”

“Then I’ll have to get my ears pierced again. They grew over while I was on Abiosis. I want to wear these.” She cocked her head. “And I want to get you something.” She bet she could find a masculine ring to suit him in the market. “And to warn off the young Talnian ladies who drool all over you.”

“I’d like that. And there’ll be no doubt that you are my consort.”

Evie froze. “Consort?”

“Yes. After we’re married, you’ll be Queen Consort of Taln.”

Uh-oh. Her mouth dropped open. Queen Consort? Of an entire planet?

Holy shit.

Gray’s lips twitched. “Evie?”

“Um, I just need a minute.”

He kissed her. “My beautiful consort. Consort Evie Mason Taln.”

She’d get used to it…eventually.

As he lowered his head to kiss her again, the bedroom door burst open.

Evie squealed and dived under the covers. As she did, she got a glimpse of Mal, Poppy, and the others.

Gray leaned back against the headboard, flipping the sheet over his lap.

“You’ve kept her to yourself, locked up in here, long enough,” Mal said.

Under the covers, Evie groaned. “I’m fine.”

“Yes, well since you’ve been rolling around with a hot, alien king all morning, I can see that.” Mal sounded like she was trying not to laugh.

“We wanted to see for ourselves,” Poppy said. “Breakfast has been laid out in the garden.”

“More like brunch now,” Mal grumbled.

Evie popped her head up out of the sheets. Their friends were grinning at them. She grinned back and Gray tucked her against his side.

How had this happened? She’d been content with her life and work, then she’d suffered the horror of having everything—including her planet and freedom—ripped away. And now, she had friends, a man who loved her, and a whole new life.

One she’d fight for. One she’d savor.

She was the luckiest damn woman in the universe.

“I could eat,” she said.

GRAY STOOD with his brothers on the balcony, staring out over the ravine, Gearma, and the mountains.

The afternoon sun made the rocks gleam, and the city look like glittering jewels.

His planet was safe.

In the markets, the sellers would be hawking their wares. Children would be in their classrooms, counting down to the end of the day. Scientists doing their research. Fathers and mothers would be caring for their families.

And many would be grieving for those who’d sacrificed to protect Taln.

Life charged on, and now, thanks to those sacrifices, without the specter of Zavir looming over it.

Their leisurely meal in the garden that morning had possessed an almost dreamlike, surreal quality to it—filled with sunshine, yet touched with the shadow of loss, for those fighters who had paid the price.

“Galen and Magnus and their people got away safely,” Rhain said. “We have a standing invitation to visit them on Carthago.”

“I’m grateful for their assistance,” Gray said.

“If they ever need us, we’ll be there,” Brodin said.

“Charno got in touch,” Gray said. “He and the team of my best guards moved Zavir to my southern palace. He’s secure. We’re going to build a secret vault deep underground.” Gray gripped the railing and looked to the south.

“I still can’t believe he isn’t out there, plotting,” Rhain said.

Brodin made a sound. “Oh, he’ll be plotting, he just can’t do anything about it, except in his head.”

Goodbye, Father. Gray hadn’t expected to feel this jumble of emotions for a man who’d been such a dramatic part of his life. Usually in bad ways.

“Zavir is gone,” Rhain said quietly. “Now we let our planets thrive. And do our best to help Sarkan.”

“There will be plenty of power-hungry gorr-lickers dreaming of being the new king,” Brodin said darkly.

“We’ll stop them,” Gray said. “And give the people of Sarkan a chance to elect their own leaders.”

His brothers nodded.

“So, when does Evie become Queen Consort of Taln?” Rhain asked.

Gray smiled. “As soon as I can make it happen. She needs a little more time, I think.” Time where he’d spoil her with everything she wanted. “I thought we’d wait for you two to marry first.”

The women’s voices carried up from below and the men looked downward.

Mal, Poppy, and Evie were walking arm in arm through the gardens. Mal said something and the other two laughed.

There was that sound that Gray loved. He drank Evie in. She looked lighter, happier, and he vowed that she always would be that way.

Abiosis, Naberius, and Zavir would become distant memories for her.

She was a survivor with a will of steel, his beautiful woman from Earth.

The word had spread that Evie was his meshmate. Fear had turned to joy among his people. Meshmates were to be celebrated. Everyone knew that whatever level of power Gray and Evie possessed, their link would help temper it.

Rhain smiled down at the women. “We are lucky men.”

“We are well past lucky,” Brodin said. “I can’t believe we needed our women to cross the galaxy to find us.”

“And now that they’re here, we’re not letting them go,” Gray said.

His brothers nodded.

The women disappeared into the palace, but a moment later, they stepped out onto the balcony to join them.

Evie smiled as she walked toward him.

Gray grabbed her and pressed his mouth to hers. Something settled and warmed inside him.

He realized the memories of her being injured, and bleeding out during the battle, were still too fresh.

He’d need time for them to fade.

“Hello,” he murmured.

“Hello.” She fiddled with the hair at the back of his neck.

“We’ve been down to the city market.” Mal leaned against Rhain.

“You wouldn’t believe the landslide even happened.” Poppy stood in Brodin’s arms. “They cleaned up and rebuilt quickly.”

“I bought you something.” Evie pulled an item out of her pocket.

It was a ring made of gold and black stone. She lifted his left hand. “I’m told on Taln that there’s no particular finger to indicate that you’re taken. On Earth, it’s this one.” She slid the ring on his finger.

A sign of love and commitment. Emotion hit him hard. He lifted her off her feet and kissed her again. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands sliding into his hair.

He heard the others laughing, but Gray didn’t care.

He wanted to claim Evie for the entire galaxy to see.

“I need some of those krem pastries,” Mal announced.

“They are delicious,” Poppy agreed.

“I’m taking the recipe back to Zhalto,” Mal declared.

Holding Evie closer, Gray glanced over at Mal. “It requires a special blend of Talnian spices in the cream to give krem their unique flavor. You’ll need those spices.”

“Oh.” Mal frowned.

“Then set up a trade,” Poppy suggested. “There’s lots of Talnian tech I’d be interested in getting my hands on for Damar.”

Evie nodded, her eyes sparking. “And Taln has the most amazing artisans in the market, and I’m guessing all over the planet. I’d love to see that artwork offered on other planets.”

“I know you guys have some loose trade agreements already,” Mal said. “But they’re ad hoc, nothing really organized and robust.”

Gray smiled at them. “We’ve been a little preoccupied with our evil father’s plans to worry about trade.”

“Excuses, excuses,” Mal muttered with a smile.

“I’m going to talk with Gray’s aide, Basa,” Evie said. “The man knows everything. I’m going to make opening formal trade between our planets a top priority.”

Gray fiddled with her hair. He shouldn’t be surprised. He knew she had the logistics skills and a sharp mind to make it a big success.

“I can’t wait to see it,” he said. “Include some Damari whiskey in those trade agreements.”

“And I want Talnian tyber fur for clothes on Damar,” Brodin said.

“And I want some Damari mechanica,” Rhain said.

“It’ll cost you, Overlord.” Mal shot him a teasing look.

Rhain caught an arm around her waist. “I’m sure the Queen of Zhalto is eager to please her overlord.”

Mal’s eyes narrowed. “Really?”

“Really.” Rhain laid a hot and heavy kiss on Mal.

Poppy giggled and Evie pressed her head to Gray’s shoulder, her body shaking with laughter.

Mal finally came up for air. “Okay, maybe she is. A little.”

As the banter continued, Gray closed his arms around Evie.

She looked up, her smile radiant. “Love you.”

“I love you, too,” he said.

Her voice lowered. “And I’m eager to please the conqueror of Taln.”

He laughed and squeezed her hip. “And he’s eager to please you right back.”

EPILOGUE

A few months later

Gray stood at the edge of the mountaintop and tried not to fidget.

He was used to standing in front of a crowd, used to people looking at him. His gut tightened, and he clasped his hands in front of him. What he wasn’t used to was getting married.

Today, he was officially making Evie his.

Some of the tension eased from his body. He couldn’t wait for that. She was his in every sense of the word already. She slept beside him every night, she smiled at him every day, and lit up for him whenever he touched her. He loved that she spent hours at the market working with the artists, and had charmed his people. She was his meshmate, his perfect match, and she never, ever hesitated to show him how much she loved him.

Today, he would claim her in front of their family, friends, and his people.

“How are you holding up?”

Rhain’s deep voice made him turn his head. His brothers stood beside him, along with Basa, who would conduct the ceremony. Sitting on rows of chairs in front of them were his mother—radiant in blue—several Talnian nobles, plus many people Evie had befriended including Dari—now healed from her wounds—and an older artist from the market who’d practically adopted Evie.

“I just want this done,” Gray said. “I want everyone to know she’s mine.”

Rhain smiled. “I get you.”

He probably did. Gray and Evie had attended Rhain and Mal’s wedding a few months back. Evie had loved her visit to Zhalto. The big, exuberant wedding had been impressive, not to mention the incredible auroras that had filled the sky.

“It’ll be over soon,” Brodin said. “And then you and your consort can slip away and celebrate privately.”

Gray smiled at his brother. They’d also attended Brodin and Poppy’s wedding just last month. It had been a less formal affair than Rhain’s, held at night under the trees on Damar. Poppy had been barefoot and radiant. Brodin hadn’t waited very long before he’d tossed his bride over his shoulder and disappeared into the forest with her.

The party had gone on without them.

His brothers were happy. Gray could feel how much lighter things were for all of them.

With their planets safe and Zavir gone.

Sarkan was still in some disarray, but they’d rejected a recent dictator who’d tried to take over. Time would tell if the planet could find a peaceful path forward.

Gray had also gone to visit Zavir.

His father, unsurprisingly, was building a world in the selen quite like what he’d tried to achieve in reality.

At first, Zavir had raged at Gray, but then he’d dropped down beside him and talked.

“I might hate what you did to me, but gorr, I’m proud of your cleverness.”

Gray snorted. “It was Evie’s idea.”

Zavir was quiet for a moment. “I might’ve underestimated her.”

“Definitely.”

“I can see she makes you happy.” A thoughtful look crossed his father’s face. “Nothing and no one ever made me feel that way. Maybe if I’d found that…?” He shrugged. “You’ll come back?”

Gray met his father’s gaze. “I’ll come back.”

“And…maybe your brothers might visit too?”

“Maybe. Goodbye, Father.”

The sound of violar strings swelled, bringing Gray back to the present. He glanced across the mountaintop.

The sun was shining in the cloudless sky, and a playful summer breeze, laden with the scent of flowers, danced across the waiting crowd. The backdrop for the ceremony was a magnificent view of the Chadanite Valley, each hillside covered with a carpet of flowers in yellow, red, purple, and pink.

Then he sensed Rhain straighten. Gray swiveled to look at the guests.

Mal strode down the aisle between the chairs. Her dress was a bold red that clung to her tall, fit body. She held a small clutch of flowers and sent her overlord a sassy wink.

Next came Poppy. Her pretty green dress floated around her, and her blonde hair loose with a crown of flowers resting on it. She looked like a forest nymph.

Her gaze locked on her mate and she smiled. Brodin didn’t look away from her.

Then came Annora. The Damari looked beautiful and elegant in her dark-blue dress. A long split showed off one toned leg. She glanced at Thadd in the crowd and smiled.

The music changed, swelling to a crescendo.

And then Gray’s gorgeous woman from Earth appeared.

She wore gold.

The dress looked like liquid. It flowed behind her, the wind catching it and making it ripple.

She held a large bunch of white flowers, and had one tucked behind her ear. Her hair had grown out a little, and looked soft and silky. As she walked toward him, he felt his power break free and reach for her.

Evie no longer had to touch him to absorb his power. He felt her draw it in, meshing them as one.

Under her feet, beautiful white flowers bloomed. A blessing from Lady Taln.

Gray took two steps to meet Evie, and held out his hand.

She put her fingers in his. “Hi,” she whispered, looking radiant.

“Hi.”

“Ready to get married?” she asked.

“I’ve never wanted anything more.”

She smiled up at him. “Love you.”

“I love you too.”

Basa stepped forward. “Dear Talnians and friends. Today, we gather to join our conqueror and his meshmate as one, in a binding, beautiful commitment…”

And the dark, intense conqueror of Taln married his mate from Earth on the beautiful, sundrenched mountaintop.

About six months later

EVIE GOGGLED as she followed Gray down the stone steps of the huge gladiatorial arena.

The stands were made of an ancient cream stone, and packed with cheering spectators. The anticipation was high, pumping off the crowd.

It was high for her too. For a few reasons. Mainly due to her very first trip to the desert planet of Carthago. She and Gray had been in the capital, Kor Magna, for several days, staying at the House of Galen. She’d met all the survivors from Earth, shared some loud, happy meals, and explored the city. She’d been having a blast.

Now, she got to watch her first gladiator fight. She clutched the container of the salty snack called mahiz to her chest. The small star-shaped pieces reminded her vaguely of popcorn. The smell, unfortunately, made her a little queasy.

That was the other reason for her edgy anticipation.

Today, she’d discovered a secret that she had to share with her husband.

Their six months of marriage had been amazing. Even when they were busy with Gray’s conqueror duties—which had included a whirlwind tour of Taln so he could introduce her as consort—never a day went by that she wasn’t so grateful she had him.

Strong, sexy, loving Gray. Her conqueror. He showed her every day that he adored her. She almost wanted to thank Zavir. Almost.

She knew Gray visited him. Not frequently, but enough that it had helped him reach some sort of acceptance of his father.

Evie had also been thrilled to like Gray’s mother, Nauria. She was spending more time in the palace now, and was even helping Evie with her work building trade opportunities for local Talnian artists. Evie adored her work, and connecting with Mal and Poppy to facilitate more trade between the planets. They were having fun.

Life was good. And now she had something that was going to upset the apple cart. Big time.

“Here.” Gray held out a hand to her and helped her onto the bench seat. “The fight’s about to start.”

Evie sat and he wrapped an arm around her. They were surrounded by people from the House of Galen, and several cyborgs and their wives from the House of Rone. There were also plenty of babies and kids too.

She caught the gaze of Regan—a scientist from Fortuna station—who was cradling one of her twin boys. The other baby was held by Madeline—the former commander of Fortuna. Regan’s big, wild gladiator Thorin was somewhere prepping for the fight.

Oh, the babies were so cute. Evie glanced sideways and back one row. Supercool Imperator Galen held his daughter to his chest like he’d been handling babies for years. He was chatting with Magnus. The cyborg imperator was seated beside Galen, holding his young daughter on his knee.

There was something so hot about hunky tough guys holding babies.

Galen’s wife Sam sat beside him, watching him with their daughter, and smiling.

The crowd suddenly erupted in cheers.

Evie craned her neck. In the center of the arena, gladiators strode onto the sand, bare chests gleaming, and only covered with leather harnesses decorated with touches of green.

“Gladiators from the House of Loden,” Gray told her.

The cheers increased, spectators stomping their feet. From nearby, red-haired Rory—another Fortuna survivor—whistled loudly. “Cheer for daddy, Finley.”

The sturdy little boy on her hip yelled loudly, waving his arms.

The House of Galen gladiators stepped out of a tunnel and onto the sand, led by Raiden with his red cloak and black tattoos.

Then, a long horn blast echoed across the arena.

The fight began.

“Wow.” Evie watched swords flash, spears soar, and the gladiators roll across the sand.

They were incredible.

“They value displays of skill and strength here,” Gray said. “None of the fights are to the death anymore. There are injuries, but I hear that Galen and all the other houses spend a fortune on the best medical tech to keep the gladiators in top fighting form.”

She smiled. “It’s fun to watch. This entire trip’s been wonderful, Gray. Thank you for bringing me.”

He touched her jaw. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

“I know.” It was silly to feel nervous about telling him her secret.

Suddenly, Rory’s son leaped from her lap and onto them.

Together, Evie and Gray caught him.

“Hi.” He grinned, a cheeky look on his face. He eyed Evie’s mahiz snack. “Share?”

Evie laughed. “Sure, Finley.”

“Sorry,” Rory called from one row away. She held out an arm to her errant son. “Let me—”

“He’s fine,” Evie told her.

Rory smiled. “Hand him back when he exhausts you.”

Finley was currently busy stuffing his face. Gray settled the boy on his knee, and ran a hand over Finley’s thick hair. The look on Gray’s face made her chest hitch.

“Gray?”

“Mmm.” He glanced up at her.

“You like kids?”

“Of course.”

“And you…want some of your own?”

His brow creased. “Yes.” He smiled down at Finley. “I think we’d make beautiful ones.”

She took his hand and pressed it to her still-flat belly. “We already have.”

Gray blinked. “What?” His gaze dropped. “You’re pregnant?”

She nodded. “I spoke to the doctor back on Taln. She thinks our meshing short-circuited my implant.”

“A baby?” A brilliant smile covered his face. “Carneela.”

There was so much love in his voice. He leaned over and kissed her.

Warmth filled her.

Then a small hand smacked their cheeks, and they broke apart.

“Me kiss too.” Finley puckered his salty lips.

With a laugh, Evie kissed the little boy.

Gray pulled her closer, his hand firm on her belly. “Thank you, Evie, for giving me everything I thought I could never have.”

“You’ve given me everything, Gray. A life, a home, love.”

“And I’ll never stop,” he promised.

Evie closed her eyes and kissed him again. She believed him. She trusted him. Her mate and her conqueror.

I hope you enjoyed Evie and Gray’s story and the end of the Galactic Kings series!

If you’d like a little more of Rhain, Brodin, Graylan and their mates, then read the Galactic Kings Bonus Epilogue: GET MY EPILOGUE

If you’d like to know more about the Fortuna Station survivors on the desert planet of Carthago, then check out my action-packed science-fiction romance series, Galactic Gladiators. Read on for a preview of Gladiator, the first book in Galactic Gladiators, starring Harper and Raiden.

Don’t miss out! For updates about new releases, action romance info, free books, and other fun stuff, sign up for my VIP mailing list and get your free box set containing three action-packed romances.

Visit here to get started: www.annahackett.com

PREVIEW: GLADIATOR

Just another day at the office.

Harper Adams pulled herself along the outside of the space station module. She could hear her quiet breathing inside her spacesuit, and she easily pulled her weightless body along the slick, white surface of the module. She stopped to check a security panel, ensuring all the systems were running smoothly.

Check. Same as it had been yesterday, and the day before that. But Harper never ever let herself forget that they were six hundred million kilometers away from Earth. That meant they were dependent only on themselves. She tapped some buttons on the security panel before closing the reinforced plastic cover. She liked to dot all her Is and cross all her Ts. She never left anything to chance.

She grabbed the handholds and started pulling herself up over the cylindrical pod to check the panels on the other side. Glancing back behind herself, she caught a beautiful view of the planet below.

Harper stopped and made herself take it all in. The orange, white, and cream bands of Jupiter could take your breath away. Today, she could even see the famous superstorm of the Great Red Spot. She’d been on the Fortuna Research Station for almost eighteen months. That meant, despite the amazing view, she really didn’t see it anymore.

She turned her head and looked down the length of the space station. At the end was the giant circular donut that housed the main living quarters and offices. The main ring rotated to provide artificial gravity for the residents. Lying off the center of the ring was the long cylinder of the research facility, and off that cylinder were several modules that housed various scientific labs and storage. At the far end of the station was the docking area for the supply ships that came from Earth every few months.

“Lieutenant Adams? Have you finished those checks?”

Harper heard the calm voice of her fellow space marine and boss, Captain Samantha Santos, through the comm system in her helmet.

“Almost done,” Harper answered.

“Take a good look at the botany module. The computer’s showing some strange energy spikes, but the scientists in there said everything looks fine. Must be a system malfunction.”

Which meant the geek squad engineers were going to have to come in and do some maintenance. “On it.”

Harper swung her body around, and went feet-first down the other side of the module. She knew the rest of the security team—all made up of United Nations Space Marines—would be running similar checks on the other modules across the station. They had a great team to ensure the safety of the hundreds of scientists aboard the station. There was also a dedicated team of engineers that kept the guts of the station running.

She passed a large, solid window into the module, and could see various scientists floating around benches filled with all kinds of plants. They all wore matching gray jumpsuits accented with bright-blue at the collars, that indicated science team. There was a vast mix of scientists and disciplines aboard—biologists, botanists, chemists, astronomers, physicists, medical experts, and the list went on. All of them were conducting experiments, and some were searching for alien life beyond the edge of the solar system. It seemed like every other week, more probes were being sent out to hunt for radio signals or collect samples.

Since humans had perfected large solar sails as a way to safely and quickly propel spacecraft, getting around the solar system had become a lot easier. With radiation pressure exerted by sunlight onto the mirrored sails, they could travel from Earth to Fortuna Station orbiting Jupiter in just a few months. And many of the scientists aboard the station were looking beyond the solar system, planning manned expeditions farther and farther away. Harper wasn’t sure they were quite ready for that.

She quickly checked the adjacent control panel. Among all the green lights, she spotted one that was blinking red, and she frowned. They definitely had a problem with the locking system on the exterior door at the end of the module. She activated the small propulsion pack on her spacesuit, and circled around the module. She slowed down as she passed the large, round exterior door at the end of the cylindrical module.

It was all locked into place and looked secure.

As she moved back to the module, she grabbed a handhold and then tapped the small tablet attached to the forearm of her suit. She keyed in a request for maintenance to come and check it.

She looked up and realized she was right near another window. Through the reinforced glass, a pretty, curvy blonde woman looked up and spotted Harper. She smiled and waved. Harper couldn’t help but smile and lifted her gloved hand in greeting.

Dr. Regan Forrest was a botanist and a few years younger than Harper. The young woman was so open and friendly, and had befriended Harper from her first day on the station. Harper had never had a lot of friends—mainly because she’d been too busy raising her younger sister and working. She’d never had time for girly nights out or gossip.

But Regan was friendly, smart, and had the heart of a steamroller under her pretty exterior. Harper always had trouble saying no to her. Maybe the woman reminded her a little of Brianna. At the thought of her sister, something twisted painfully in Harper’s chest.

Regan floated over to the window and held up a small tablet. She’d typed in some words.

Cards tonight?

Harper had been teaching Regan how to play poker. The woman was terrible at it, and Harper beat her all the time. But Regan never gave up.

Harper nodded and held up two fingers to indicate a couple of hours. She was off-shift shortly, and then she had a sparring match with Regan’s cousin, Rory—one of the station engineers—in the gym. Aurora “Call me Rory or I’ll hit you” Fraser had been trained in mixed martial arts, and Harper found the female engineer a hell of a sparring partner. Rory was teaching Harper some martial arts moves and Harper was showing the woman some basic sword moves. Since she was little, Harper had been a keen fencer.

Regan grinned back and nodded. Then the woman’s wide smile disappeared. She spun around, and through the glass Harper could see the other scientists all looking around, concerned. One scientist was spinning around, green plants floating in the air around him, along with fat droplets of water and some other green fluid. He’d clearly screwed up and let his experiment get free.

“Lieutenant Adams?” The captain’s voice came through her helmet again. “Harper?”

There was a sense of urgency that made Harper’s belly tighten. “Go ahead, Captain.”

“We have an alarm sounding in the botany module. The computer says there is a risk of decompression.”

Dammit. “I just checked the security panels. The locking mechanism on the exterior door is showing red. I did a visual inspection and it’s closed up tight.”

“Okay, we talked with the scientist in charge. Looks like one of her team let something loose in there. It isn’t dangerous, but it must be messing with the alarm sensors. System’s locked them all in there.” She made an annoyed sound. “Idiots will have to stay there until engineering can get down there and free them.”

Harper studied the room through the glass again. Some of the green liquid had floated over to another bench that contained various frothing cylinders on it. A second later, the cylinders shattered, their contents bubbling upward.

The scientists all moved to the back exit of the module, banging on the locked door. Damn. They were trapped.

Harper met Regan’s gaze. Her friend’s face was pale, and wisps of her blonde hair had escaped her ponytail, floating around her face.

“Captain,” Harper said. “Something’s wrong. The experiments have overflowed their containment.” She could see the scientists were all coughing.

“Engineering is on the way,” the captain said.

Harper pushed herself off, flying over the surface of the module. She reached the control panel and saw that several other lights had turned red. They needed to get this under control and they needed to do it now.

“Harper!” The captain’s panicked voice. “Decompression in progress!”

What the hell? The module jerked beneath Harper. She looked up and saw the exterior door blow off, flying away from the station.

Her heart stopped. That meant all the scientists were exposed to the vacuum of space.

Fuck. Harper pushed off again, sending herself flying toward the end of the module. She put her arms by her sides to help increase her speed. Through the window, she saw that most of the scientists had grabbed on to whatever they could hold on to. A few were pulling emergency breathers over their heads.

She reached the end of the pod and saw the damage. There was torn metal where the door had been ripped off. Inside the door, she knew there would be a temporary repair kit containing a sheet of high-tech nano fabric that could be stretched across the opening to reestablish pressure. But it needed to be put in place manually. Harper reached for the latch to release the repair kit.

Suddenly, a slim body shot out of the pod, her arms and legs kicking. Her mouth was wide open in a silent scream.

Regan. Harper didn’t let herself think. She turned, pushed off and fired her propulsion system, arrowing after her friend.

“Security Team to the botany module,” she yelled through her comm system. “Security Team to botany module. We have decompression. One scientist has been expelled. I’m going after her. I need someone that can help calm the others and get the module sealed again.”

“Acknowledged, Lieutenant,” Captain Santos answered. “I’m on my way.”

Harper focused on reaching Regan. She was gaining on her. She saw that the woman had lost consciousness. She also knew that Regan had only a couple of minutes to survive out here. Harper let her training take over. She tapped the propulsion system controls, trying for more speed, as she maneuvered her way toward Regan.

As she got close, Harper reached out and wrapped her arm around the scientist. “I’ve got you.”

Harper turned, at the same time clipping a safety line to the loops on Regan’s jumpsuit. Then, she touched the controls and propelled them straight back towards the module. She kept her friend pulled tightly toward her chest. Hold on, Regan.

She was so still. It reminded Harper of holding Brianna’s dead body in her arms. Harper’s jaw tightened. She wouldn’t let Regan die out here. The woman had dreamed of working in space, and worked her entire career to get here, even defying her family. Harper wasn’t going to fail her.

As the module got closer, she saw that the security team had arrived. She saw the captain’s long, muscled body as she and another man put up the nano fabric.

“Incoming. Keep the door open.”

“Can’t keep it open much longer, Adams,” the captain replied. “Make it snappy.”

Harper adjusted her course, and, a second later, she shot through the door with Regan in her arms. Behind her, the captain and another huge security marine, Lieutenant Blaine Strong, pulled the stretchy fabric across the opening.

“Decompression contained,” the computer intoned.

Harper released a breath. On the panel beside the door, she saw the lights turning green. The nano fabric wouldn’t hold forever, but it would do until they got everyone out of here, and then got a maintenance team in here to fix the door.

“Oxygen levels at required levels,” the computer said again.

“Good work, Lieutenant.” Captain Sam Santos floated over. She was a tall woman with a strong face and brown hair she kept pulled back in a tight ponytail. She had curves she kept ruthlessly toned, and golden skin she always said was thanks to her Puerto Rican heritage.

“Thanks, Captain.” Harper ripped her helmet off and looked down at Regan.

Her blonde hair was a wild tangle, her face was pale and marked by what everyone who worked in space called space hickeys—bruises caused by the skin’s small blood vessels bursting when exposed to the vacuum of space. Please be okay.

“Here.” Blaine appeared, holding a portable breather. The big man was an excellent marine. He was about six foot five with broad shoulders that stretched his spacesuit to the limit. She knew he was a few inches over the height limit for space operations, but he was a damn good marine, which must have gone in his favor. He had dark skin thanks to his African-American father and his handsome face made him popular with the station’s single ladies, but mostly he worked and hung out with the other marines.

“Thanks.” Harper slipped the clear mask over Regan’s mouth.

“Nice work out there.” Blaine patted her shoulder. “She’s alive because of you.”

Suddenly, Regan jerked, pulling in a hard breath.

“You’re okay.” Harper gripped Regan’s shoulder. “Take it easy.”

Regan looked around the module, dazed and panicky. Harper watched as Regan caught sight of the fabric stretched across the end of the module, and all the plants floating around inside.

“God,” Regan said with a raspy gasp, her breath fogging up the dome of the breather. She shook her head, her gaze moving to Harper. “Thanks, Harper.”

“Any time.” Harper squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “It’s what I’m here for.”

Regan managed a wan smile. “No, it’s just you. You didn’t have to fly out into space to rescue me. I’m grateful.”

“Come on. We need to get you to the infirmary so they can check you out. Maybe put some cream on your hickeys.”

“Hickeys?” Regan touched her face and groaned. “Oh, no. I’m going to get a ribbing.”

“And you didn’t even get them the pleasurable way.”

A faint blush touched Regan’s cheeks. “That’s right. If I had, at least the ribbing would have been worth it.”

With a relieved laugh, Harper looked over at her captain. “I’m going to get Regan to the infirmary.”

The other woman nodded. “Good. We’ll meet you back at the Security Center.”

With a nod, Harper pushed off, keeping one arm around Regan, and they floated into the main part of the science facility. Soon, they moved through the entrance into the central hub of the space station. As the artificial gravity hit, Harper’s boots thudded onto the floor. Beside her, Regan almost collapsed.

Harper took most of the woman’s weight and helped her down the corridor. They pushed into the infirmary.

A gray-haired, barrel-chested man rushed over. “Decided to take an unscheduled spacewalk, Dr. Forrest?”

Regan smiled weakly. “Yes. Without a spacesuit.”

The doctor made a tsking sound and then took her from Harper. “We’ll get her all patched up.”

Harper nodded. “I’ll come and check on you later.”

Regan grabbed her hand. “We have a blackjack game scheduled. I’m planning to win back all those chocolates you won off me.”

Harper snorted. “You can try.” It was good to see some life back in Regan’s blue eyes.

As Harper strode out into the corridor, she ran a hand through her dark hair, tension slowly melting out of her shoulders. She really needed a beer. She tilted her neck one way and then the other, hearing the bones pop.

Just another day at the office. The image of Regan drifting away from the space station burst in her head. Harper released a breath. She was okay. Regan was safe and alive. That was all that mattered.

With a shake of her head, Harper headed toward the Security Center. She needed to debrief with the captain and clock off. Then she could get out of her spacesuit and take the one-minute shower that they were all allotted.

That was the one thing she missed about Earth. Long, hot showers.

And swimming. She’d been a swimmer all her life and there were days she missed slicing through the water.

She walked along a long corridor, meeting a few people—mainly scientists. She reached a spot where there was a long bank of windows that afforded a lovely view of Jupiter, and space beyond it.

Stingy showers and unscheduled spacewalks aside, Harper had zero regrets about coming out into space. There’d been nothing left for her on Earth, and to her surprise, she’d made friends here on Fortuna.

As she stared out into the black, mesmerized by the twinkle of stars, she caught a small flash of light in the distance. She paused, frowning. What the hell was that?

She stared hard at the spot where she’d seen the flash. Nothing there but the pretty sprinkle of stars. Harper shook her head. Fatigue was playing tricks on her. It had to have just been a weird trick of the lights reflecting off the glass.

Pushing the strange sighting away, she continued on to the Security Center.

Galactic Gladiators

Gladiator

Warrior

Hero

Protector

Champion

Barbarian

Beast

Rogue

Guardian

Cyborg

Imperator

Hunter

Also Available as Audiobooks!

PREVIEW: EON WARRIORS

Looking for more action-packed science fiction romance? Check out Eon Warriors, starting with the first book in the series is Edge of Eon.

Framed for a crime she didn’t commit, a wrongly-imprisoned space captain’s only chance at freedom is to abduct a fearsome alien war commander.

Sub-Captain Eve Traynor knows a suicide mission when she sees one. With deadly insectoid aliens threatening to invade Earth, the planet’s only chance of survival is to get the attention of the fierce Eon Warriors. But the Eon want nothing to do with Earth, and Eve wants nothing to do with abducting War Commander Davion Thann-Eon off his warship. But when Earth’s Space Corps threaten her sisters, Eve will do anything to keep them safe, even if it means she might not make it back.

War Commander Davion Thann-Eon is taking his first vacation in years. Dedicated to keeping the Eon Empire safe, he’s been born and bred to protect. But when he’s attacked and snatched off his very own warship, he is shocked to find himself face-to-face with a bold, tough little Terran warrior. One who both infuriates and intrigues him.

When their shuttle is attacked by the ravenous insectoid Kantos, Eve and Davion crash land on the terrifying hunter planet known as Hunter7. A planet designed to test a warrior to his limits. Now, the pair must work together to survive, caught between the planet and its dangers, the Kantos hunting them down, and their own incendiary attraction.

Eon Warriors

Edge of Eon

Touch of Eon

Heart of Eon

Kiss of Eon

Mark of Eon

Claim of Eon

Storm of Eon

Soul of Eon

King of Eon

Also Available as Audiobooks!

ALSO BY ANNA HACKETT

Sentinel Security

Wolf

Hades

Norcross Security

The Investigator

The Troubleshooter

The Specialist

The Bodyguard

The Hacker

The Powerbroker

The Detective

The Medic

The Protector

Billionaire Heists

Stealing from Mr. Rich

Blackmailing Mr. Bossman

Hacking Mr. CEO

Team 52

Mission: Her Protection

Mission: Her Rescue

Mission: Her Security

Mission: Her Defense

Mission: Her Safety

Mission: Her Freedom

Mission: Her Shield

Mission: Her Justice

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Treasure Hunter Security

Undiscovered

Uncharted

Unexplored

Unfathomed

Untraveled

Unmapped

Unidentified

Undetected

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Galactic Kings

Overlord

Emperor

Captain of the Guard

Eon Warriors

Edge of Eon

Touch of Eon

Heart of Eon

Kiss of Eon

Mark of Eon

Claim of Eon

Storm of Eon

Soul of Eon

King of Eon

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone

Sentinel

Defender

Centurion

Paladin

Guard

Weapons Master

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Galactic Gladiators

Gladiator

Warrior

Hero

Protector

Champion

Barbarian

Beast

Rogue

Guardian

Cyborg

Imperator

Hunter

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Hell Squad

Marcus

Cruz

Gabe

Reed

Roth

Noah

Shaw

Holmes

Niko

Finn

Devlin

Theron

Hemi

Ash

Levi

Manu

Griff

Dom

Survivors

Tane

Also Available as Audiobooks!

The Anomaly Series

Time Thief

Mind Raider

Soul Stealer

Salvation

Anomaly Series Box Set

The Phoenix Adventures

Among Galactic Ruins

At Star’s End

In the Devil’s Nebula

On a Rogue Planet

Beneath a Trojan Moon

Beyond Galaxy’s Edge

On a Cyborg Planet

Return to Dark Earth

On a Barbarian World

Lost in Barbarian Space

Through Uncharted Space

Crashed on an Ice World

Perma Series

Winter Fusion

A Galactic Holiday

Warriors of the Wind

Tempest

Storm & Seduction

Fury & Darkness

Standalone Titles

Savage Dragon

Hunter’s Surrender

One Night with the Wolf

For more information visit www.annahackett.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled contemporary romantic suspense and science fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.

I live in Australia with my own personal hero and two very busy, always-on-the-move sons.

For release dates, behind-the-scenes info, free books, and other fun stuff, sign up for the latest news here:

Website: www.annahackett.com

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

What readers are saying about Anna’s romances

Anna Hackett Box Set

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Preview: Gladiator

Preview: Eon Warriors

Also by Anna Hackett

About the Author