Alien Heart (5 page)

Kiele slammed into him and they hit the floor, sliding until Lian smacked against the closest console, hard enough to knock him out.

He stood, staring down at Lian for a long second, before he spoke to the man at the console. “Keep him here, Lieutenant Pern.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Kiele pushed to his feet, grabbing Anji’s hand as he stalked past her. “Did you hear anything else, Anji?”

She waited until they were out of eavesdropping range. “He sent most of his men to the engine room.”

Kiele started cursing and sprinted down the corridor, dragging her after him. He barked orders into his comm, and she recognized the direction they headed—the main part of the ship, with the waterfall. The source of the ship’s power.

“Kiele—go.” She tugged at her hand. “I’m slowing you down.”

He freed her—and stopped long enough to haul her off her feet and kiss her. “Meet me—”

“At the waterfall. I’ll be there.”

She clutched the wall, watched him take off, disappearing around the curved corridor. Her brain wanted to deny, but her heart was shouting, loud and clear. She was falling for him. Hard.

***

Kiele skidded to
a halt next to the source. He should have crept in, searching for Lian’s men, but he had a feeling it was too late for stealth.

Only his brother would know his cycles, use them against him. How could he convince Lian that the experiments his scientists conducted were inhumane? The humans may not have reached their level of technology, but they had so much potential for goodness. He saw it in Anji, with her care. Even when they met, and she considered him a threat, he had seen that when she realized she caused him pain, she stopped.

His gaze scanned every inch of the glass walls, searching for—there. It was small, but close enough that he may get to the charge before it went off.

He holstered his shock pistol and leaped to the wide edge of the pool, running around the perimeter, picking up speed. He needed to be moving as fast as possible to make the jump—

The charge exploded, and his world blew apart.

***

Fighting her panic,
Anji ran down the corridor. All sorts of scenarios flashed through her mind of the possible damage Lian’s men could be causing to the ship’s water engines. They were powerful, but too damn delicate. Thank God she just finished repairing the backup engine. They might need it before—

The explosion knocked her off her feet.

She pushed herself up, her right arm throbbing from impact with the wall. Then she heard a low rumble.

“What the hell…” Her voice faded, because she knew what that sound was.

Water.

Tons of water. Headed straight for her.

She sprinted back down the corridor, looking for an opening, a place to pull herself up. The walls would accelerate the force of the water, like shooting it through a hose. She didn’t stand a chance if it caught up with her.

One of the women that Orlen told her about cowered in the middle of the corridor.

“Shit—” Anji grabbed her wrist, started to haul the woman after her. “Come on—we can’t stay here—”

“T’An—they wanted to—”

“I know. They won’t hurt you, I promise. But we have to go.”

She didn’t wait for an answer, dragging the woman after her. The roar got louder with every second, and Anji knew she wasn’t outrunning it.

Hope shot through her when they rounded a corner. There was a balcony, leading to she didn’t care where. She pushed the woman toward the ladder attached to the wall.

“Climb. Now!”

The woman gripped the metal rungs, crying so hard it slowed her movement. Anji joined her on the ladder, helping her move up the rungs. She  got them to the edge of the balcony, held on to the woman as she made her way over the railing. The roar got louder, and after a quick glance, Anji knew she wasn’t going to make it.

A wall of water appeared. She had time to wrap her arms around the rungs of the ladder before the water slammed into her.

The woman tried to hold on to her, but the water’s power swept Anji off the ladder. She tumbled, the water tossing her like a stone. She never saw the protrusion that caught her shoulder and spun her through the water. But she did see the wall—right before she slammed into it head first.

***

Kiele came to,
wedged against the wall of the pool. Water slammed into him, the pressure on his scarred gills like a knife in his back. His chest ached from the impact of the explosion, and he suspected there were other bruises and scrapes he would feel later. Right now adrenaline acted as a natural pain suppressor.

He fought the power of the water and turned into the swift current. The water from his engine, the lifeblood of his ship.

Lian would pay.

Anji—

Panic gripped his heart. She was directly in the path of the released water. He pushed off the wall and into the fast moving current, headed in the direction of the bridge. Terror threatened, and he shut it down. He would find her. She was a survivor, and would do whatever she needed to find a safe spot above the onslaught.

A feminine scream had him pushing off the floor. He burst out of the water, expecting to see Anji clinging to a ladder or a balcony. Instead, one of the kitchen workers waved at him.

“Commander!” He fought the already weakening current, caught the ladder next to the balcony she knelt on. “I’m so sorry, sir—she helped me up, and I was so scared—”

“Tell me where.”

“The water caught her when she was on the ladder, just a few seconds ago.”

“Thank you, Mina.” Her eyes widened. “Stay here. I will return for you once the water has receded.”

He pushed off the wall and slipped back under the water, letting the current help him move faster. Movement drew him forward, and he streaked toward the source. His heart nearly stopped when he saw her, floating in the water. One of her tools had lodged itself in the rungs of another ladder. If not for that, she would still be caught in the current, swept too far from him to save.

Hold on for me, t’anling.

He tore the tool off her belt, wrapped his arm around her and surged toward the surface.

Her lips were blue, and she was cold, so cold. Blood stained her face, her dark hair. Kiele caught the nearest ladder, held her against his chest, and breathed into her. He had seen enough fragile humans drown, and learned early how to help prevent it.

“Come back to me, Anji.” He turned her over, pushed on her back, then turned her up and gave her another breath. “Please, my heart. Breathe for me.”

She choked, and he immediately draped her over his arm, his hand on the back of her neck as she coughed up the water she had swallowed. Warmth returned to the skin under his fingers, and relief loosened the fist around his heart.

Once she stopped coughing, he eased her head up, braced the back of her head, felt her tense against his arm.

“Relax, Anji. I will not let the current take you again.”

“I know,” she whispered. Her voice was raw, pain edging it. “Thank you—for coming after me.”

“I had to.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I had to ask if you finished repairing the backup engine.”

Laughter burst out of her, then she groaned, touching the side of her head. “Ouch.”

“Hold still.” With gentle fingers, he examined her bruised temple, and found the source of the bleeding. “Once the water settles, I will take you to the medical wing.” Swallowing, he leaned his forehead against hers. “I was afraid I would not find you.”

Her hand spread over his heart. “I knew you would.”

“Do you hurt anywhere else?”

“Only everywhere. No,” she said, when he started to loosen his hold, afraid he was causing her more pain. “I need to feel you close, Kiele. That was the most terrifying thing I have ever faced.” She closed her eyes, lowered her head to his shoulder. He felt her let go, exhaustion relaxing her. “Watching that water come at me, knowing I couldn’t do a thing to stop it.”

“Does this give you a fear of water?” He did not mean to sound panicked, but water was life to him, and if it caused her to be afraid, he did not know what he—

“Stop frowning. I have no intention of blaming the water. I blame the asshole who caused the explosion.”

Kiele sighed, rubbing her back. “The asshole, as you call him, is my brother.”

Kiele wanted to
leave her behind when he confronted his brother. Anji managed to convince him to take her along—and not only because she thought her presence would be a distraction.

She didn’t lie—she had never been so scared in her life.

When the water swept her off the ladder she was sure it had been over for her. She didn’t remember anything after her head slammed into the wall, not until Kiele had loomed over her, so pale she thought he was injured.

Now he stalked ahead of her, his soaked white shirt glued to every muscled inch of his torso, more angry than she’d ever seen him.

When they reached the wide double doors, Kiele scanned his palm. The door didn’t budge. Cursing under his breath, in English, which surprised her, he pulled the amulet he always wore out from under his shirt and slid it into a narrow slot above the palm scan. The doors slid open—and the first thing she saw was his brother, fighting with one of Kiele’s men.

“Lian.”

Both of them froze at his voice. Lian jerked free, his green eyes flashing as he faced Kiele. Before he could open his mouth to say anything Kiele tackled him.

Anji yanked a laser screwdriver off her belt, ready to zap Lian if he did anything stupid. Kiele let out a raw gasp—and she saw the reason when they rolled toward her. Lian’s fingers dug into Kiele’s damaged gills.

“No you don’t—” She darted forward, ratcheting the laser strength up before she jammed it into Lian’s arm.

He shouted and let Kiele go.

“What did you do, stupid human?”

“Stopped you from hurting your own brother.”

He stared at her, frowning. “How did you…” Fury darkened his eyes and he leaped to his feet. “You mated with this—creature?”

Kiele stepped in front of her, arms crossed. “I have loved her, as a beautiful woman, with a generous heart and a quick mind. The moment you sided with your faction, I knew I would have to let you go. Now, I have a second chance.” Kiele nodded, and the two T’An behind Lian grabbed him. “Take him to the prison level. No bindings—simply keep him behind a field, and no water, until I speak with him.”

“No—Kiele—”

“You have destroyed our source, Lian. Until we reach a planet where we can repair and replenish, all water will be rationed. I will be there soon, Lian, and if your immersion time is near, I will find a way. Unlike your
brothers
, I do not relish torture.” He watched as his men dragged Lian off the bridge. Anji touched his arm, the muscles under her fingers hard as iron. “I fear I have lost him.”

“Give him time, Kiele.” He closed his eyes—and Anji let out a gasp when he swayed. He sank to his knees, his left hand twisting around toward his back. “Oh, God—”

She crouched next to him, and saw the dark blue blood on his shirt.

“I will be fine, Anji.” He lifted his head. “Being slammed against the pool wall did most of the damage. My chamber is still full, and once I immerse, I can heal.”

“You swam like this?”

He cradled her cheek. “You needed me. I need you,
t’anling
. The thought of losing you…” He lowered his head, sliding his hand into her hair.

“You found me. We’re good, Kiele. Now go take care of yourself.”

“Only if you come with me.”

“Okay.”

He looked surprised at her ready agreement. But Anji knew, when he came for her, that she was his, for good. Now it was time to seal the deal.

“You know—”

“Yes, Kiele. I do.” She gripped his arm. “Let’s get you up, so you don’t bleed all over your nice bridge.”

They stood, his right hand braced on her shoulder.

“Commander.” The T’An he spoke to earlier stepped forward. “The engine—”

“Is gone. I saw it. Use the backup, Pern. Our newest mechanic repaired the damage. Set course for the closest planet where we can replenish.”

“Aye, Commander.”

Kiele walked out, waited for the doors to close to clutch the wall.

“Kiele—”

“I need the—water.” His breathing was harsh, the dark blue stain on his shirt spreading.

“Hold on to me. We’ll get there.”

Anji moved as fast as she could, ignoring the aches and bruises, the headache pounding behind her eyes. Every breath Kiele took sounded worse, like he was fighting to take in oxygen. After endless minutes she saw the door to his quarters.

“Stay with me—we’re almost there.”

He lifted his head, shaking so badly she had to hold him up by the time they reached the door. She let go long enough to slap her palm over the scan lock. When the door slid open she hauled him straight to the tub and helped him in, clothes and all. He tore at his shirt, pulling it away from his gills. Blood curled through the clear water, until all she saw was his figure, knees pulled up to his chest, his dark hair floating around his too pale face.

Anji pressed both hands against the cool, thick glass.

“Please,” she whispered. “Please let him be all right.”

She waited, her heart pounding, tears lodged in her throat—and blinked in surprised when white fabric floated past her. The water started to clear, and tears slid down her face when she saw Kiele, his tan, freckled skin almost glowing. He had shed his clothes and floated in the water, his eyes closed, the scales that traced his hairline iridescent.

“Thank you, God.” She thanked whatever deity they believed in and lowered herself to the floor, shaking with relief.

It had been one hell of a day.

***

Cool fingers touched
Anji’s cheek, and she opened her eyes, not sure when she fell asleep. Kiele was draped over the edge of the tub, his hair slicked back, color in his face. He looked so much better.

She pushed up, a blush heating her cheeks. “I was more tired than I thought.”

“Rough day. Thank you, Anji. I had trouble breathing, and would not have made it here on my own.”

She refused to even think of that. “Glad I could help.” She stood, eye to eye with him. “How much longer do you need to—immerse?”

“I was near the end of my cycle, so not much more time. Can you hand me the comm on my desk?”

She spotted the small round device on his neat desk, and brought it over to him. He activated it, his gaze on her when he spoke. “Lieutenant Pern, have water sent to my brother. I need to finish my immersion cycle, and I do not want him to wait.”

“Right away, Commander. I will take it to him myself.”

“No physical contact, Lieutenant. I will find a suitable punishment. How are we doing on the backup engine?”

“Tell your human mechanic that she did well. The engine is running smoothly, and we will reach our destination in less than twelve hours.”

“Thank you. I will inform her.” He winked at Anji. “Have everyone on the bridge work in shifts, and keep hydrated. If anyone is near their immersion cycle, have them take it. There will be enough water in the reserves to accommodate a few.”

“Aye, Commander.”

“Suun out.” He handed the comm back to her, his fingers closing over hers. “Anji, did you mean what I thought, on the bridge?”

“You’re sitting there, all wet and sexy. Can I join you?”

She let out a shriek, dropping the comm when he grabbed her around the waist and hauled her into the tub with him.

“Yes.” He captured her lips in a kiss that left her head spinning. His hands slid over her hips, around to the front of her shirt. By the time he freed her lips her shirt was unbuttoned and off, floating away from her. “So delicate,” he whispered, tracing the curve of her breast. “But so strong.”

He found every one of her bruises and scrapes, brushing a kiss over them. Her body tingled, his touch setting her on fire. Before she could beg, he popped the button and eased down the zipper on her trousers, lifting her as he pulled them off, taking her panties with them. Finally, she was naked, his skin smooth and cool against her hot, achy body.

“Kiele—”

“I want you to be certain, Anji.” He framed her face, his jewel green eyes serious. “For us, mating is similar to your joining by marriage. It is forever. I will not let you walk away if we mate.”

She swallowed. “What exactly happens?”

“When we join together, in the water, my—what do you call it?” He pointed to his long, thick cock. Her mouth went dry.

“We have a few terms,” she whispered.

His smile made her hotter. She expected the water to start boiling any minute.

“When this,” he took her hand, closed it over his cock, his breath hitching. “Fills you, and you accept the mating ritual, my body produces a—I have no word for it in your language. It binds us together, physically and emotionally. Once that is done, it cannot be undone.”

“Does it hurt?”

He smiled again, brushing kisses over her face. “I am told it is quite pleasurable. A memorable joining, for both.”

“And this—joining.” Her heart pounded harder at the thought of what he just said. “It’s been done with a human before?”

“I would never have asked if this was not a possibility for us.”

“Okay.”

“Anji—”

“I’ve been falling for you since the first time we met, Kiele. For me, there is no other man. Not now, not ever.”

With a shaky breath, he leaned his forehead against hers. “My heart is yours,
t’anling
.”

Oh, God
. “Tell me what to do.”

“First, my heart, you need to let me go.”

She stared down at her hand, gripping his cock like it belonged to her, and let him go. “Oh. Right.”

Kiele took her lips in a slow, tender kiss that left her even more aroused. She didn’t think that was possible, since she felt like she was on the verge of an orgasm and he had barely touched her.

“Now,” he whispered, his breathing as uneven as hers, “I need you to be completely wet.”

“Already there.”

His laughter wrapped around her. “Your hair, Anji. Though I am always pleased and surprised by the human woman’s ability to self-lubricate.”

“So sexy, Kiele. I’m on fire now.”

“You will be,
t’anling
, when we are finished.”

Before she could do anything but stare he gently ducked her head under the water. She surfaced, wet and dripping, some of the heat still coursing through her cooled by her dip. That relief ended the second her pulled her in, his hot, thick cock pressing against her.

“God—Kiele—” She wanted him inside her. Now.

He held her in place, obviously fighting the need to drive himself into her. “I will speak the words—in my language.” He lowered his head, took a few deep breaths.

“Kiele?”

“I ache to be inside you, Anji, to make you mine.”

“Oh, God. I want that—so much.” Her body throbbed, the torture of him poised, right there, so close, was driving her to the edge of crazy.

“But we must honor the ritual.”

“Ritual. Right. Is it always done this way? You were all hot to jump in here with me the other night.”

“The physical joining is all we need to do. The ritual makes it—”

“Less like sex?”

He raised an eyebrow. “More of an event.”

“With sex.”

A smile flashed across his face, even as he shook his head. “It is different from your—ceremony.”

“Since we wear clothes and say the vows in front of witnesses, really, really different.”

“A public joining is common among my people.”

Shock jolted her. “You do this—in front of other people?”

“The joining is sacred. We do not view lovemaking as something to do only behind closed doors. Sharing the joy of the union is a choice, one many couples choose.”

She laid her hand on his chest. “Did you—want to?”

“As Commander, I should. But I will not share this moment with anyone but you, Anji.”

Relief washed through her. “Okay. Since it’s just us, can I—touch you, while we honor the ritual?”

His head snapped up, the need in his green eyes so intense she shuddered. “I would like that.”

“Thank God.”

They both moaned when she wrapped her fingers around his cock. He was so hard, so thick—

This ritual better be the shortest in the universe.

“Anji…” His deep voice caressed her name, and every inch of her skin tingled. “This will not take long.”

“Good,” she whispered.

He spoke a few words in his language. “Repeat this for me: with my heart, body, spirit.”

“With my heart, body, spirit,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

More words wrapped around her, his language like music. “I give myself to you, Anji Pearce.”

“I give myself to you, Kiele Suun.”

He closed his eyes, such joy on his face her heart ached with it. He whispered the next words. “You are my life now.”