Undaunted (Battle Born Book 6) (24 page)

“So what’s the favor?” Bandar asked, drawing Garin out of his troubled musings.

“I need to meet with Letos before I head back to Lunar Nine,” Garin explained. “As long as you have no objections, I’ll leave Quinton right where he is. Raylon will have no trouble finding him a securely locked cell.”

“It’s not a problem for me,” Bandar assured him. “As long as I don’t have to listen to him.”

Ashley moved toward Berlynn. “I really enjoyed our talk. Let’s do it again real soon.”

“I agree.” Berlynn stepped out of his embrace and gave Ashley a quick hug. “See you back on Lunar Nine.”

“For now,” Garin said with an enigmatic smile.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Bandar asked.

Garin debated whether or not to tell him, but if Bandar had any serious objections to Garin’s plan, it was better to find out about it now. “I happen to think you should be on the Triad. You’re level-headed and patient, and the men respect you. It will ultimately be put to a vote, but I intend to nominate you.”

“Does that mean we’d need to move to Rodymia?” Ashley sounded more confused than alarmed.

“It would
if
the battle born elect me,” Bandar admitted, “but that’s a very big if.”

“No it’s not. Garin thinks you’re perfect for the job.” Ashley rolled to the balls of her feet and kissed his cheek.

“And Garin is always right?” Bandar grumbled.

“Nearly always.” Ashley winked at Berlynn. “Will you two live there too?”

“Likely,” Garin told her.

“Is that okay with you?” Ashley persisted.

Berlynn nodded. “My Aunt Haven and Danvier are moving back as well, so we’ll both have a couple of friends right out of the gate.”

“We better get going,” Garin prompted, more than ready to leave this mission behind. “I promised to com Letos when this was done.”

“Well, it’s finally done, or at least it’s as done as you were willing to make it. I’ve got to side with Raylon on this one. I’d sleep a lot better if Quinton were dead.”

Garin shook his head. “I won’t cause a civil war. A treasonous rebellion is bad enough.”

Bandar and Garin embraced, and then the couples went their separate ways.

After gathering Berlynn’s discarded clothes from the conference room, Garin and Berlynn bio-streamed back to the
Vengeance.
She went to their cabin long enough to dress and tidy her appearance while he returned to the command deck and set a course for the capital.

“Are you really meeting with Letos,” Berlynn asked a short time later, “or is this that sightseeing trip you promised me?”

Garin looked up from the control matrix and smiled at his soon-to-be-mate. The bridge officers could hear every word they said, but she didn’t seem to care. He sat in the commander’s seat though the pilot did most of the actual flying. Berlynn sat at the science station, with the control panel locked. She finally seemed happy to be along for the ride.

“We can do both.” Garin made a quick adjustment then turned and looked at her. “I need to meet with Letos, but after that we can take a couple of days to look around before we head back to Earth.”

“I’d like that.” She smiled and effervescent joy flowed into his mind. “I’d like that a lot.”

Berlynn felt her jaw drop as she stared up at the stately mansion. With multiple turrets and a railed wall-walk, the structure combined elements of the past and present into something entirely unique. The bio-streaming engineer on the
Vengeance
was new to the post, so he’d set them down in the yard rather than risking an indoor target.

“This is your house?” Her voice sounded breathless and disbelieving.

“Technically, it still belongs to the crown, but my caretaker assured me that no one has actually been here to lock me out.” The corners of Garin’s mouth twitched as he took her hand and led her toward the massive front door. “This is the oldest and largest of the Nox properties. It has always been my favorite.”

They climbed the wide stone steps and he stood beneath a full-body scanner as he waited for the house to identify him. “Welcome home, General Nox.” The oversized handle rotated on its own and the door swung inward.

“The caretaker and his mate have a cottage on the property, but their rounds should be finished by now.”

“Meaning we have the house to ourselves?” she asked hopefully.

“Almost.” He motioned her onward.

Feeling as if she were trespassing, she moved past him and into the house. Twin staircases swept upward, dramatically curved to each side of the wide entryway. The domed ceiling let in natural light from at least twenty-five feet above their heads. “This is spectacular. I had no idea…” But she should have. He was one of the most powerful men in the Rodyte military. Of course he was rich.

He chuckled, apparently pleased by her astonishment. “At least I know you didn’t agree to bond with me for my money.”

“Did I agree to bond with you?”

Without warning, he swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply, thoroughly. “If I hadn’t agreed to update Letos, we’d finish this conversation upstairs.”

“Can it be a holo-conference, or do we have to wait until he shows up in person?” She whispered the question against his parted lips.

“I contacted him from the
Vengeance
. He’s already here.” Garin took her hand and led her into the large, sunken room offset on her left. “For obvious reasons, this is called the fireside room.”

A stone fireplace ran the entire length of one wall and rustic furniture had been arranged around the welcoming hearth. A man stood with his back to them, his hands extended toward the roaring fire. “I made myself at home. Hope you don’t mind.” The stranger finally turned around and Berlynn felt a pang of disappointment. Letos was a notorious technomage and the new leader of the Integration Guild, and yet he looked, more or less, like an ordinary Rodyte. He was tall and muscular with wavy dark hair and blue phitons. Then those blue-ringed eyes shifted to her and Berlynn felt a surge of power. “You must be Berlynn.” It was all she could do just to hold her ground as he walked toward her. “It’s nice to meet you.” He held out his hand expectantly, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch him. Menace and raw, ravenous power pulsed off him.

She dipped her head instead of taking his hand. “Likewise.”

Garin was looking at her, clearly confused by her attitude. “Shall we sit?” He motioned toward the furniture grouping on their right.

Letos shook his head and remained near the fire. His gaze lingered on Berlynn. “I don’t intend to stay long. Is Quinton out of the picture?”

“He’s on his way to Lunar Nine.” Garin sounded both pleased and relieved.

Finally shifting his attention to Garin, Letos asked, “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“It’s temporary,” Garin assured him. “I’ve been investigating options for long-term incarceration. I’ll move him as soon as I decide on the best location. Obviously, discretion is my primary concern.”

“There is a much simpler solution.”

Garin tensed. “So everyone keeps telling me. It might be easier in the short-term to kill the bastard, but many would rise up against the battle born if they learned we’d murdered a crown stirate.”

“But you’re not battle born,” Letos pointed out with a challenging smile.

“For all intents and purposes I am.”

Letos stared into the flames for a moment, either deep in thought or conversing with someone telepathically. “So what’s our next move?”

“The Triad must be installed as quickly as possible. Have the guild masters chosen their representative?”

“They have and, I’m shocked to say, it’s me.” Despite his claim, he sounded casual, as if he were discussing the weather, not a shift in planetary rule. Berlynn wasn’t sure she believed his nonchalance. “I’m not even sure I want the job.”

“Which is why you’ll be good at it,” Garin predicted. “Tandori Tribe has selected Haven Tandori and—”

“They have?” This was the first Berlynn had heard about it. “When did they vote?”

Garin shrugged. “It had to have been in the past few days. Danvier told me this morning. Do you disagree with the choice?”

“No. Haven will be wonderful. It just surprised me, that’s all.” And she was slightly annoyed that something so important had been decided without her input. Of course, in all fairness, she couldn’t blame Tandori Tribe. She had been unavailable for the past few days.

“What about the battle born?” Letos wanted to know.

“They’ve not yet voted, but my nominee is Bandar Nox.”

Letos laughed then grew intensely serious. “Has he forgiven me for stabbing his mate?”

She quickly shifted her gaze to Garin, wanting to see his reaction. His eyes widened and then he shook his head, the shadow of a smile curving his lips. “So much has happened in the past six weeks, I’d forgotten that was you.”

“It’s highly unlikely Bandar will forget,” Letos said. “But I hope he understands why I did it.”

“You stabbed Ashley?” Berlynn shivered as her new friend’s smiling image appeared in her mind.

“It was necessary.” Oddly enough, the defense came from Garin. “Bandar knows that and so does Ashley. Besides, if Bandar’s still holding a grudge, you two can punch it out in a training ring. The strategy has worked well in the past.”

“A little bit of friction will keep things interesting.” Letos waved away the conflict. “Are there any other nominees?”

“There are several, but I’m relatively confident Bandar will be elected. The other favorite is Raylon and he’ll refuse. He has no desire to return to the capital and neither does Chandar.”

“Understandable, for both of them. So we’re likely dealing with Bandar, Haven and myself.” Letos nodded thoughtfully. “I can work with that.”

“Good. Any transition is challenging, but it will be impossible unless the Triad works together toward common goals.”

Letos dipped his head, acknowledging the comment. Berlynn didn’t think he’d say more, then he asked, “How big of a problem will we have with Paytor and the elite officers?”

On the surface Garin appeared unaffected by the question, but Berlynn heard his subtle sigh and saw the hint of tension around his mouth. “I’m not sure. He let Bandar and me walk off the
Triumphant
, but I’d given him my word that Quinton wouldn’t be hurt. If that changes, he’ll come after me with every ordnance at his disposal.”

“It sounds like our first priority is recapturing the
Triumphant
and neutralizing Paytor.”

“I agree,” he uttered the words, but Berlynn heard the dread in his undertone. “As long as Paytor is out there, any stability we create is an illusion. He is, and has always been, a bigger threat than Quinton.”

“We know that, but the general population doesn’t. We need to keep it that way.”

“Agreed.” Again Garin sounded much more reluctant than he looked. “What about the other technomages. Can you keep them under control?”

Letos chuckled then tilted his head. “Is that a challenge?”

Garin’s expression didn’t change. “Just a question. I know some of what Javin did to keep them in line. I don’t think murder and intimidation are your style, so how will you ensure they uphold our alliance?”

“You’re right. Murder and intimidation aren’t my style, but I’m not naive and I won’t let my comrades manipulate me. I’ll let them know what’s expected of them and ensure that they have adequate motivation for fulfilling those expectations. It’s as simple as that.”

“And when one of them fails to fulfill your expectations?” Garin could deny it all he wanted, but challenge was apparent in every word.

“I’ll take away their toys.”

Garin coughed then gave up and allowed himself to laugh. “Fair enough. You worry about the technomages and I’ll worry about Paytor.”

“How many of the battle born have been empowered?”

The question was light and casual, but Garin tensed as never before. Despite their uneasy alliance, Garin clearly did not trust Letos. “It’s an ongoing process. Releasing their magic is only the beginning. Once they have access to the energy, they have to learn how to use it.”

“Understood.” He waved his hand toward the fire and the flames sputtered out. “I suppose I’ll be going. I’m sure you have better things to do with the rest of your night.” He smiled at Berlynn then turned back to Garin. “When can I expect Bandar or whomever the battle born appoint?”

“Tomorrow, perhaps the day after. It really is important that we make a public announcement as soon as possible.”

“I agree and look forward to working with them.” With another smile for Berlynn, Letos disappeared.

“I honestly can’t tell if he’s friend or enemy,” she said after scanning the room to make sure he was actually gone.

“Did he bio-stream out or teleport. I’ve often wondered.”

“He bio-streamed, definitely. Whenever one of my relatives teleport, I can feel a rush of energy. I felt nothing when he disappeared.”

Garin nodded. “That’s what I thought. Most, if not all, of his abilities are technological not organic.”

“He’s head of the Integration Guild. Technology is what they do. But either way, he’s extremely convincing. That fire trick was awesome.”

With obvious reluctance, Garin agreed. “Enough about Letos. I remember a certain condition that no longer exists.”

Heat rolled through Berlynn’s body, waking her senses and speeding her pulse. “I’m not sure what you mean.” Her voice sounded relatively convincing, but she couldn’t fight back her smile.

“You promised I could claim you as soon as Quinton had been deposed.”

“Actually, I said you could claim me when you returned to Earth space, after Quinton had been deposed.”

Rather than argue with her, he swept her up in his arms and carried her from the fireside room. “I’m claiming you tonight, whether you like it or not,” he vowed in a growly tone as his lips brushed over hers.

She laughed, intoxicated by the emotions rushing across the transfer link. “I certainly hope I’ll like it. I’ve liked everything else we’ve done.”

His only response was a soft growl and the dramatic lengthening of his stride. He raced across the entryway and flew up one of the staircases. She clung to him, closing her eyes as the ground level seemed to fall away. She was on a different planet, in the nicest house she’d ever seen, about to be claimed by her mate. It was like she’d walked into a drug-induced dream world filled with technicolored wonders. None of it seemed quite real and yet nothing had ever felt so perfect.

He brought her to a bedroom near the back of the house. Easily as large as the main room in the cabin she’d shared with her father, the bedroom was decorated in dark blue and gold. The furniture was bold and masculine like the room’s primary occupant. Centered on the outer wall and flanked by French doors—or the Rodyte equivalent of French doors—the bed was neatly made and massive.

“Does your entire family sleep in that bed?” A nervous laugh escaped her throat. They’d already joined their bodies, but this felt different, much more important.

“Until this night, I am the only person who has ever slept in that bed.” He stood beside the oversized bed, yet didn’t seem to be in any hurry to set her down. “If I hadn’t found you, love. I would have continued to sleep alone.”

She pressed her hand against the side of his face and kissed him gently on the lips. “I’m so glad you were too stubborn to take no for an answer. I’d almost convinced myself we weren’t compatible when you returned and proved me wrong.”

“I knew what I was feeling. There was no way I was going to let you slip away.” He released her legs while supporting her torso. Her feet touched the floor, yet she remained against him, surrounded by his strong arms. “Why are you so tense? Surely you’re not afraid of me.”

“Never that.” She placed her hands on his chest, her thumbs fiddling with the all but invisible seam down the front of his uniform top. “I was raised in a society where everything is disposable. The average marriage lasts less than a decade.”

“We’re not human and this isn’t a marriage.”

“I know.” She smiled, yet she was unable to silence the voice nagging away in the back of her mind. “We’re about to form a link that will last a lifetime. I’m sorry, but it’s intimidating.”

“It won’t be for long. As soon as you feel how much I love you, everything will make sense.” He tilted her head back and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was slow and engrossing. His lips slid over and against hers, his tongue lightly teasing.