Broken Vision (22 page)

He growled, a long, low, primitive sound and clamped a hand on her bottom, not to stop,
but to help her. The added friction was exciting and she spread her legs to gain even more contact.
It wasn't enough, not nearly enough. She flung her arms around his neck to pull herself higher
against him and lifted a leg to hook it around his hip. Without hesitation, his hands, both of them
now on her bottom, helped to support her.

The tender, sensitive flesh between her legs reacted with a burning jolt of pleasure. She
whimpered into his mouth and dug her nails into his shoulders, as she squirmed and sought even
more. But she couldn't leverage herself high enough against his body to achieve her ultimate goal
and he wasn't giving her the boost she needed.

As her desperation began to turn to frustration, he took control again and she found herself,
both feet on the floor, turned to face the wall.

"Bend," he commanded, his voice hoarse, and his hand on her nape urged her over. She
placed both her hands flat on the bench to brace herself. He grasped her hip with one hand and slid
the other between her legs, over the sensitive flesh. He rubbed the small bundle of nerves, which
almost made her collapse, then pressed a finger into her vagina, before pulling out and trailing it up
along her crease to rub it over the equally sensitive ring of anal flesh.

Everything in her stilled and, for an instant, she was poised on an edge of uncertainty, not
sure of his intent, not sure if she wanted to walk down an untried path. But again, he must have
read something in her body language, because the pressure on that sensitive place vanished, and he
bent over her and slid an arm around her to cup her breast and thumb her nipple. His knee urged her
legs further apart and she felt his penis slide against her.

"Some things," he murmured in her ear, "are to be taken slowly, but should be tried at least
once."

The dark promise in his voice sent a deep shudder through her body, and then she
shuddered again in anticipation as she felt him reach to adjust himself at her entrance. The thick
head of him stretched her opening. His hands held her hips steady when she would have squirmed
against him in impatient demand.

Then he hammered forward and seated himself in one hard thrust. She cried out at the
searing explosion of sensation. He cradled her upper body and uttered nonsense in her ear as her
body adjusted to his invasion. Discomfort faded and she began to squirm again, hampered by her
position and his hold.

"Impatient," he growled. He pushed aside the wet weight of her hair and licked her nape,
and she couldn't believe how sensitive it was. If he hadn't had a firm grip on her torso, she might
have collapsed over the bench. He began to move in short little thrusts, each one not enough, but
every one sending exquisite prickles racing through her body. Then he reared back and plunged.
His hips slammed against her bottom again and again, and her restrained whimpers became cries
that she couldn't control.

And nothing mattered, nothing but what he did to her and made her feel, nothing but this
building, expanding wave of all-consuming ecstasy that tore through her and pushed her over the
edge.

As her body succumbed to pleasure, and the orgasm rolled through her, Alerik's hands
clamped more tightly around her hips. He pistoned into her. Guttural groans joined her own dying
cries. His hips slowed and then stopped and he bent over once more, panting heavily. But when he
touched his lips to her nape, her body still reacted with a shiver and she mewled. He pulled from
her body and guided her gently upright. Turning her to him, he drew her into his arms.

She knew she was safe. And she knew there was no place else she wanted to be.

Margaine Confluence:/Second Rising
Pallas Five

"Maegan, what's wrong?" Makiee's voice, raised in panic, spiked the excruciating pain in
her head up another notch. There had been no warning. The sudden attack had come from nowhere,
and it had bent her across her console in absolute agony. But worse than the pain, far worse, was
the memory that had accompanied it.

"Maegan?"

She had to get rid of Makiee.

She lifted her head with slow caution. Surprisingly, the pain eased a little, although the
memory, ugly and soul-destroying, was etched in her mind.

A caricature of Makiee's young face filled the vid screen. His eyes bulged. His forehead
was heavily creased.

"I'm all right," she managed to gasp. "Can we finish this later? You're headed in the right
direction."

His face retreated from the screen as he sat back and scowled. "Don't look all right to me,"
he muttered. "Looks like someone shot you full of droxin. Has it occurred to you that this marriage
partnership isn't good for your health? Has he done something to you again? Because if he
has--"

"Thank you, Makiee," her husband, who was supposed to be gone for the better part of the
day, drawled. "I believe this meeting is over." He reached around her to flick off the link, then
crouched down beside her. He smoothed a cool hand across her burning forehead.

"I would hate to have to issue a mate-challenge to that young one. He has a serious case of
moon fever."

A short laugh erupted from her throat as she shook her head. The pain eased. She gave in
to temptation and rested her face against Alerik's broad shoulder.

"I thought you had arbitration today," she whispered. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried
to exorcise the ugly image emblazoned on her mind. Horror that he had caught her at such a
moment, before she had a chance to analyze and process the memory, warred with gratitude that he
was there.

"I did. I'm learning. Delegated most of it back to the counselors. Lazy bams. They're
sending me cases they have no business sending me."

"They're testing you."

"Perhaps." He paused. His fingers touched her nape and gently began to knead, sending
slivers of pleasure down her spine. "More pain? You should be over the worst of it by now."

"I am. I just..." She opened her eyes and pulled away from him. It was a mistake. His
sapphire gaze, all-knowing, all-seeing, drilled into her until she was certain he saw what was in her
mind.

"I'm so sorry," she blurted, as agony squeezed her heart.

"For what?" The sapphire of his eyes and temple mark blazed a clear, bright blue. If he
knew what she knew, that beautiful color would turn dark and menacing.

How could she tell him? And what would she tell him?

She had hesitated too long already. His mouth had tightened at the corners and his eyes had
narrowed infinitesimally. The fragile, wonderful thing that had come into being between them in
the last few days teetered on the edge of annihilation. And she only had herself to blame.

He had taken his cue from her. They hadn't talked about her time with the Taragon priests.
The priests had released her. She knew the children were at a safe house. Beyond that she hadn't
asked the questions, hadn't wanted the answers. And there were so many anomalies, so many things
that didn't make sense.

Hot despair roiled in her stomach. All the physical pleasure, the laughter, the quiet
conversations, the growing trust, the need to be with him, to touch him, to be loved by him--all they
had experienced together in the last few days--it was all built on a sham. The future she had
glimpsed, and never even knew she wanted, was in jeopardy.

But she knew she couldn't hide forever. And what would the truth cost her? She couldn't
imagine how their relationship, fragile as it was, could survive this terrible knowledge she carried
in her head.

"We need to talk," she whispered.

He nodded. His temple mark and eyes had gone to dark, shimmering sapphire. "It's
time."

* * * *

Pallas Four had a growing galaxy-wide reputation for its scenic beauty, but Pallas Five had
a few surprises of its own. As Drakal maneuvered the small transporter through a narrow opening
into a deep, lush canyon cloaked with soaring bagan trees, Alerik glanced at Maegan.

She was hunched against the clear plexiskin of the vehicle, her gaze directed outside, but
he doubted she really saw anything. Something was going on in her head. Something had been
triggered this morning during her conversation with Makiee. For the life of him, he couldn't figure
out what. His surreptitious replay of the conversation while she had been changing her clothes
hadn't revealed a slieking clue.

She had resisted his suggestion of a picnic in the high country of Pallas Five, but he had
been equally determined. He was courting her. Their relationship in the last few days had
developed by leaps and bounds. He had seen the beginnings of trust, and something, some strong,
pure emotion in her as she had clutched at him in the throws of ecstasy.

It was important to preserve what they had built at any cost. And so he stuck to his
courtship plan even though this conversation was going to be brutal. He had information that
would, at the very least, upset her. It would more likely enrage her, and engage with a vengeance
the part of her that wanted to save the universe.

He wanted to reach for her hand, but refrained. Her body language was clear.

The transporter descended and glided to a stop at the edge of a small meadow.

Maegan lifted her head. "We're here?"

"Not quite," he said.

The hatch swung open and heat rushed into the vehicle. Pallas Five's double sun blazed
directly overhead. Grogon's moon-sun was a mere shadow behind it. He stepped out onto the soft
sponge of the fragrant meadow and reached to help her. She accepted his hand, and stood quietly by
his side as he collected two packs and spoke with Drakal and Corenna. They would remain close. It
was the only way Sharm had agreed to the excursion. But he was determined they wouldn't be right
on his ass. It was the only way he would agree to Sharm's condition.

Maegan at least was showing a spark of interest and looking around with curiosity. He
picked up the lighter pack and held it out. "Yours."

She swung it over her shoulder without the smart comment he expected. His gut twisted
again in anticipation of what was to come.

"This way." He set off toward the forest where a path through the trees was barely
visible.

"They're not coming?" Maegan asked.

He stepped under the first tree and immediately felt a drop in temperature. "Four's a crowd,
don't you think?" he responded, trying for a bit of levity.

Silence prickled behind him. He grimaced.

"They'll be around. They have orders to give us privacy."

The muffled thud of their boots on the soft path and the sough of the forest around them
were the only sounds for the next few nans.

"How did you convince Sharm to do that?"

"He's an excellent second. He weighs the risks and he's reasonable."

"His job is to protect you with his life."

Alerik turned abruptly. "And now yours as well." He studied her upturned face. "There's
nothing to fear here, Maegan."

An expression he couldn't read flitted across her face. She looked away and pushed past
him. "Didn't say there was. I'm just surprised you were able to get rid of your bodyguard, that's
all."

He decided to let her lead. They were close enough to their destination anyway, and the
view was delectable. The sway and roll of her firm ass in tight breeches produced a twitch in his
groin. It maybe wasn't his smartest decision of the day, but one he'd indulge in anyway.

"Just be clear on one thing, Maegan," he said, determined to make a point. "My team is
sworn to your protection as well."

"Which means I can't go anywhere without a shadow." Disgust laced her voice. "I know,
Alerik. I did go to the training and, contrary to what you may have heard, paid attention most of the
time."

"So you did."

She was becoming argumentative, which he far preferred to withdrawn and secretive. She
was more likely to divulge information. He pushed harder.

"Funny how that worked out. Instead of serving a term on my team as a bodyguard, my
team now protects you. And any children we may have."

"Blazing starpits!" With the speed of a striking cobsun, she swung around. She poked a
finger hard into his chest, and snarled, "Children? You're on blockers aren't you? Tell me you're on
blockers."

"For now."

Her lips twisted and her nose wrinkled. Even in anger, she was adorable and he wanted to
snatch her to him and ravage her mouth. "Don't ever touch me again." She slammed a hand against
his chest for emphasis, then whirled and stalked off ahead of him again. "Children! I'd better not be
pregnant," he heard her mutter.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" he asked, taken aback by her vehement reaction. He
strolled after her, allowing her to increase the distance between them. "It's a normal course of
events when two people enter into a marriage partnership. Our respective parents would be
delighted with a grandchild."

"Normal? There's nothing normal about our--aagh." At the top of a small rise, her hands
flew up into the air and she disappeared from sight.

"Hunh," he grunted. "Must have forgotten to tell you about the ground around here."

He ambled up the hump.

In a small clearing surrounded by the giant bagan trees, she lay on her back, arms and legs
spread wide, an expression of utter delight on her face. A thick layer of curly green and silver moss
cushioned and undulated gently underneath her.

She rolled her head to look at him. "You brought me to The Lichs. I've heard about this.
I've wanted to come here for so long."

He dropped his pack and bent to remove his boots, before sliding down beside her. The
ground rose up to mold and cradle his body. "Does this get me some credits?"

"A few." She wriggled and stretched. "Not nearly enough to wipe out your deficit
though."

He sighed and shoved his hands under his head. "Didn't think so." His body felt like a
thousand fingers stroked through his clothes. The sensation wasn't erotic at all, just deeply
soothing. "Want to get naked?"