Authors: Cyndi Friberg
“Can anyone substantiate what’s in these documents?”
He powered down the datapad with a sigh. “Garin can and will, but he’s my cousin. It’s possible the members of the tribunal will dismiss his testimony as biased.”
“Maybe.” She motioned toward the datapad. “But that presentation is pretty hard to ignore. How much of this did you share with Varrik?”
“Not much. I already knew I was going to turn myself in, so I didn’t see the point in going through it all more than once. He’ll take me back to Ontariese and I’ll explain everything to the tribunal. Varrik can hear it then. Besides, we had other issues to discuss.”
“Like the death of your father?” She hated to bring it up, but she could think of nothing else painful enough to sour his disposition.
“Primarily.”
When he said nothing more, she prompted, “And were you able to agree on what happened?”
“You just spent the past hour or more with Echo. Didn’t she tell you all about it?”
She reached over and slipped her hand into his. “I don’t care what Echo believes. Do you still feel that they murdered your father?”
“Varrik ended my father’s life. That fact was never in dispute. But South was false just like the other elders. Worse, he was a coward who was running away from the fight. He left his entire tribe behind without a second thought. He was not a worthy leader.”
She knew Nazerel was shielding their connection, but occasional bursts of grief and anger bled through. Despite his calm expression, the emotions were as raw and aching as if the tragedy had just taken place.
Before she could find the words needed to comfort him, he gently squeezed her hand. “Am I a fool to expect fair treatment from the Ontarians? They despise Shadow Assassins.”
Glad for an easier subject, she happily followed his lead. “They resent Shadow Assassins and they’re afraid of Rodytes, but they will listen to what you have to say. This is the first mission I’ve worked with Lor, but I’ve known High Queen Charlotte for years. All of the procedures she’s instituted during her reign have been fair and impartial. Besides, I’ll be there to make sure this is not a witch hunt. If it starts to look like they’re out to get you, I’ll help you escape.”
He offered her a warm smile that burned through the shadows in his eyes. “I’m hoping it won’t come to that, but it’s nice to know I’ll have at least one friend at the City of Tears.”
“You said Garin was going to testify. Doesn’t that mean you’ll have two friends?”
Nazerel pushed back from the table and stood. “Garin can’t leave his ship. He’ll testify by vidcom.”
“Of course. Even on Earth that’s likely how it would happen.”
He pulled her to her feet and into a loose embrace. “How about a nice hot bath? Creation knows I need to relax.”
“Where is this mysterious bathtub and will others be there or just us?” She didn’t have a swimsuit and she wasn’t getting naked in front of any male except Nazerel.
Rather than explain, he led her into the utility room. “This is only an option in certain cabins. We just happen to be in one of the best.”
He issued a verbal command and a good portion of the floor smoothly lowered and reshaped. Soon they stood on the wide rim of a deep, spa-style bathtub. One side created a molded recliner while the other formed a simple bench. “Is this all right? There are several other styles, but I’d have to go look up the commands.”
“This is lovely.” Then with a cheeky grin she added, “As long as I get to use the recliner.”
He laughed as he pulled off his shirt. “We’ll figure it out as we go along. Now get undressed.” Another command activated the water, which streamed from multiple outlets all over the surface of the tub.
The water only reached his calves when he lowered himself into the tub. She took longer to undress, so the water was knee-deep by the time she joined him. They stood facing each other as they waited for the tub to fill. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he caressed her back, his touch light and still distracted.
“Before we leave tomorrow, I’ll need to sever our link.”
“Why?” She’d resisted the connection every step of the way, so why did the thought of losing access to his emotions upset her now?
His hand drifted up to the back of her head as he gazed into her eyes. “If the Mystics sense our bond, they’ll accuse me of controlling you.”
“You don’t need a telepathic link to bend me to your will.” She whispered the words against his lips, hoping to lure him away from thoughts about tomorrow. “All you need is your incredible mouth.”
Her lips pressed against his, warming them, encouraging him, but he wasn’t quite ready to abandon their conversation. “They’ll question you. Likely have Elias do it. You trust him and you’ll tell him things you wouldn’t admit to a stranger.”
It was obvious he wasn’t going to relax until this was settled, so she rested her hands on his shoulders and gave them an affectionate squeeze. “They can interrogate me all they like. I won’t say anything that incriminates you. In fact, if you like, I’ll tell them that I helped you escape.”
“Absolutely not. If Elias senses that you’re lying to him, they’ll have Varrik scan your memories. Tell them the truth.”
“I won’t testify against you,” she said emphatically.
“And I won’t allow you to be punished for something you didn’t do.” He buried his hand in her hair and claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss. “You’re my hostage. You’ve done nothing wrong. I’ll make sure they know that.” He kissed her again, preventing her immediate reply.
His mouth was warm, his breath intoxicating and she no longer wanted to argue. She wanted to touch him and be touched by him. She wanted to savor whatever time they had left. The future was too uncertain for them to waste any more time.
He pulled her down into the water and she melted into his embrace. They kissed and touched and kissed some more, neither in a hurry to escalate their passion. He relaxed against the recliner and she straddled his hips, sometimes arching above him, but more often pressing against him skin-to-skin.
“What did you think of Echo?” His lips brushed against her neck as he spoke.
“I’m sprawled on top of you naked and you’re thinking about Echo? Should I be jealous?”
He cupped both her breasts and nipped the side of her throat. “I’m trying to think about anything except how badly I want to be inside you.”
“We’ve got all night.” She reached down between their bodies and guided him to her entrance. “We’ll go slowly next time.” His entire body tensed as she lowered herself onto his cock. She closed her eyes and savored the sweet fullness as it pressed deeper and deeper into her core. “Better?”
“Not yet.” He grabbed her hips and pushed her up then pulled her back down. Creating a rocking motion, he maximized the slide of her body over his. “Now
this
is better.”
She braced herself against his shoulders and pushed up, giving him access to her aching breasts. They couldn’t kiss in this position, but everything else felt so perfect that it didn’t matter. His lips fastened onto one nipple as he teased the other with his fingers, then he switched sides. All the while she rode him, reveling in the control he seldom allowed her.
His mind opened, filling her with longing and tenderness. Desire was obvious in his gaze, but the affection always surprised her. Outwardly Nazerel was gruff and unyielding, which made his warmth even more precious.
Wanting him to understand how much his caring meant to her, she pushed her emotions into his mind, revealing her love without hesitation or reserve. He moaned and bucked, trusting up into her with possessive urgency. She responded just as aggressively.
“Next time…” His fingers dug into her hips and tension rippled across his torso. “I’ll make it last.” He threw his head back and arched beneath her, filling her completely.
She watched him, feeling him inside her mind and body. His overwhelming need thrilled her even though her arousal had just begun to build. He came in shuddering waves. She felt him jerk deep inside her and a fresh rush of love flooded her mind. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against his wildly beating heart.
“That was downright pathetic,” he muttered as she collapsed across his chest.
Knowing he couldn’t see her face, she allowed herself to smile. “I started it and, as I said, we’ve got all night.”
Nazerel brushed the damp hair back from Morgan’s face and she pushed herself up again, not all the way vertical, like she’d been before, but far enough so they could see each other. She was so damn beautiful it almost hurt to look at her. With her cheeks flushed and her breasts bare, she looked like a fertility goddess, ripe and ready for more. He’d be more than happy to oblige her as soon as he caught his breath, but the future still loomed in the distance, threatening to consume them.
“I want you to tell the Tribunal the truth, but perspective is a curious thing. I suppose I should at least hear your version of the events.”
Her inner muscles clamped down on his length, encouraging his recovery. “You want to talk about this
now
?”
He laughed, sliding his hands from her hips to her breasts and back. “Indulge me and I’ll make it worth your while.”
She sat up, balancing her weight on her legs. “All right. You grabbed me during the raid, not knowing who I was. It had been your intention to release me, but Dekker said my name over the radio so you realized I could likely release you from the collar.”
“I still can’t believe how long you held out. You are one incredibly stubborn female.” His hands drifted up her sides and over her breasts, his gaze leading the way.
“You’re not the first to tell me that and it’s doubtful you’ll be the last.” Suddenly restless, she crawled off his lap and moved to the bench across from him.
He’d obviously upset her and that hadn’t been his intention. Still, he needed to know what she would say before he tried to recapture the romantic mood. “What happened after I figured out who you are?”
“It became a battle of wills, which I eventually lost. You didn’t want to bring me with you, but by that point I knew too much to leave behind.” She droned on as if she were reciting a shopping list.
“Did you try to escape?”
She shot him an annoyed look before sinking deeper into the water. “Repeatedly, but I knew I was screwed once you disabled the collar.”
Their connection had existed even with his powers suppressed, but reminding her of the fact would only irritate her further. He didn’t want to spend their last few hours together angry with each other. However, this was important. She needed to understand what she’d be facing when they returned. Her friends would expect her to be relieved and joyful that she’d finally been rescued.
“Elias will try to convince you that I’ve brainwashed you.” He caught her gaze before he went on. “He’ll say I used a combination of physical and emotional techniques to make you feel things that aren’t real.”
“What I feel for you is none of their business.”
Nazerel shrugged then finger-combed his hair back from his face. “I doubt Elias will agree. He might even insist that you need to be deprogramed.”
She straightened, her breasts bobbing just below the water’s surface. “Then I’ll tell him I’ve learned that the government I work for is corrupt and duplicitous. Where I go and with whom I choose to spend my time is now irrelevant because I have no interest in continuing to be their puppet.”
He finally smiled and held out his hand. “You don’t have to convince me, love. Just be aware that they aren’t going to smile and wish you well.”
Her expression remained tense, yet she returned to his side of the tub and allowed him to pull her down on top of him. She tried to return to her seated position, but he had something else in mind. He helped her spread out with her back pressed against his front and her head pillowed on his shoulder.
“My questions got you all wound up. Now I’m going to have to help you relax.”
“Good luck with that.” She shifted restlessly against him, her ass undulating against his rapidly hardening cock. “This position isn’t conducive to relaxation.”
“Nonsense.” He drew her arms up. “Grab ahold of my shoulders or lock your fingers behind my neck.” She grabbed his shoulders. He ran his hands down the underside of her arms, slowly, moving over her flesh like the water surrounding them. “Close your eyes and stop thinking about anything but the way my hands feel, the heat of my body.”
And how much I love you.
Her sharply indrawn breath assured him she’d heard the declaration. Words of love had gone unspoken between them, yet the emotion was there each time they touched. He cupped one of her breasts and wrapped his other arm around her waist. She remained tense for a moment longer, but gradually relaxed and let her body flow into the contours of his.
“That’s right. I’ve got you.” He gently circled her nipple until it pebbled against his thumb. “You’re safe with me.” She started to lower her arms, but he growled a warning. “Let go and I’ll stop touching you.”
“But I want to touch you too.”
“No.” He splayed his fingers across her belly then slowly pushed his hand downward. “You will accept what I give you.” His middle finger eased between her folds. “Surrender yourself to me.”