Leaving Earth (16 page)

Had it really been two days? So much had happened to her, changed in her. She'd felt that unbelievable pull to him, had accepted he was her future. Delroi was her future. Hell, she'd even accepted she was going to let three strangers, three priests watch her fuck him. He'd woken her close to dawn, slowly thrusting into her pussy, lazily playing with her nipples, and explained who would watch, told her he was making the arrangements for later in the day and then she would formally be his. That idea was crazy and wonderful all at the same time. She looked into his eyes and saw the smile there along with a purely male, possessive gleam, and knew he'd read her thoughts.

"It's not nice to eavesdrop," she said softly. 147

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He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her close to nuzzle her neck. "It's my right to listen in. Especially when you're thinking about me."

He bit her neck, not hard enough to hurt but it definitely got her juices flowing. She shivered at the promise in it, but pulled away, reminded herself of her task. Before she could bring it up the argument behind her grew more heated. She turned and watched Laney struggle to her feet, hiding her smile when Alrik tried to help her and she swatted his arm.

"I'm not an invalid and I'm getting sick and damned tired of being treated like one."

He sighed. "I have a right to protect you and our son, Laney."

"And how the hell is sitting in on an interrogation potentially dangerous to either one of us?" Alrik set his hands on her shoulders, squeezed a little. His expression was dark and tense, and he looked like he wanted to shake some sense into her. Kendall shifted, preparing to move to interfere if it became necessary. Laney was an excellent fighter but Kendall doubted even under the best of circumstances she could best the big warrior. Several months pregnant was sure as hell not the best circumstances. Daggar moved behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist as he bent his head to whisper in her ear. "Let them handle this. He would never harm her. It is not our way." Anger rose swiftly to the surface of her mind as he held her back. She'd seen what men were capable of, even those she'd once considered the best of them.

Earthling males. Not us.

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She struggled to find the right words to argue with him, but it wasn't necessary. Laney lifted her hands and cupped Alrik's face in her palms, her gaze was at once imploring and determined.

"You have to stop this over-protectiveness. Stop smothering me."

His hands slid to the back of her shoulders, then to her back in a slow sliding caress before pulling her closer, rotating his hips, the bulge of his hard cock clear. Kendall wanted to turn away from the scene, felt like an intruder, but found she couldn't.

"After the baby is born," he whispered before fusing his lips to hers. To Kendall it seemed as if he inhaled her, as if his need for her was so consuming he had no other options. She felt relief from Daggar.
That is exactly what it is like
for us. You understand now.

The kiss didn't last long and Laney looked disappointed when Alrik pulled back. "Stay here with Kendall. We won't be long."

She cleared her throat and they both turned to look at her.

"Actually, I'm going to meet Britt at the Ambassador's office." Laney thought it over, biting at her lower lip before nodding. "I'll go with you then."

"No," Kendall replied after studying her a moment, the physician in her more concerned for her patient than the soldier with having backup. She held up a hand when Laney opened her mouth to argue. "You need to rest. You're pale and you have black circles under your eyes. Like it or not, at 149

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seven months pregnant your body is no longer all yours and it isn't so forgiving when you push too hard."

"Shit," she muttered. "I want a full report from both of you ASAP."

Kendall grinned. "Of course you do." She sobered quickly however. "Um. You got a weapon I can borrow?"

"Of course," she mimicked and slipped free of Alrik to go get it.

"I don't think that will be necessary," Daggar said, making Laney pause in mid stride, turn half way to look over her shoulder at him. He shook his head. "Neither of you is going anywhere."

Laney turned fully around, her face setting in a neutral expression. "I'm sure I don't have to remind you of the hoops I had to go through to get permission for Britt and Kendall to come here. Of the assurances I had to make to the Council that they would be my responsibility. She may have a bond with you, but it's not formally accepted. That means of course, she still works for me. Besides, you'll find Kendall is, in fact, twice as stubborn as I am." It was just too much and Kendall burst out laughing. Both turned questioning looks on her, but it was several minutes before she could control the gales of amusement enough to answer.

What is so damned funny?
He was curious despite his irritation. It almost set her off again.

"All of you," she answered, meeting his gaze. "I don't think anyone has ever fought over me like this. You, Cilia, Laney. 150

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And she's right. I'm just as stubborn. I'll make my own damned choices, no matter what any of you believe." His mind grew uneasy and she smiled at him.
Don't worry,
baby. I've already chosen you.

"But that doesn't mean I'm going to follow blindly."

"I hate it when I miss half the conversation," Laney grumbled with a glare at her.

She shrugged. "Some of it's private. So," she continued, making her voice brisk and leaving no room for argument.

"I'm going to meet Britt. You're staying here and going back to bed."

Laney huffed, but kept quiet. Daggar, she knew, was her real problem. Laney trusted her to take care of herself. For some reason Daggar was unwilling to bend that much.
That's not it and if you would really embrace the bond,
read me as easily as I read you, you would know that.
I understand your need to protect me, Daggar. I really do.
But you have to realize you can't do that all the time. You
have to give me the space to be an active participant in our
safety. In the caste's safety. Otherwise, I'm not really your
partner, your mate, am I?

He swore, mentally and out loud, in his own language.

"I'll escort her, my lord, while you and Alrik deal with the traitor," said Barak.

Daggar wanted to protest even that and she felt his struggle against his instincts. A part of him, the primitive untamed side she was so drawn to in bed, determined to tie her up and hide to keep her safe if necessary, but his logical side finally won out realizing that such an action would drive a 151

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wedge of distrust between them. He nodded, but he let her feel his anger at her and himself, his determination to take his own private revenge later for her refusal to follow his orders.

"Her safety is in your hands," he told Barak. "Don't fuck up."

* * * *

Daggar watched his mate leave with one of his most trusted soldiers. His fury had faded some, and instead he found himself fighting against a sense of dismay and unreality. The introduction of human
der'lans
would change his people irrevocably and he wasn't sure they were ready for the coming shift of dynamics.

It only took a moment for Alrik to escort Laney back to their bedchamber.

"Things are changing quickly," Alrik murmured, careful so that none of the nearby warriors overheard, as they walked to the brig that housed the interrogation room.

"Hopefully for the best. Either way it's out of our control." Both knew that was true and not true. One could control one's mate completely, but to do so would slowly destroy her spirit, erode her free will, and no one wanted to live with that burden, that sorrow.

"The women are the catalyst for more dangerous changes, Daggar."

He nodded. "I know."

How could he miss that? The rebels were getting more brazen and perhaps were growing stronger. To attack him in 152

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his seat of power spoke of more organization than they'd had in generations. Someone must have united all the different factions. Someone they would all follow.

They entered the brig and followed the short hall to the interrogation room. Two warriors stood guard over Hakon, the Delroi healer they suspected set the bomb and killed the Earthling doctor to cover his crime. Daggar was willing to bet he was near the bottom of the rebels' chain of command and wouldn't be able to tell them much. He'd have to send Barak south soon.

Alrik spoke softly to the two guards before dismissing them. Then he approached the table, pulled out a chair and sat while Daggar stood back and studied the man. His face was free of the identifying tattoos, but the man had been stripped of his shirt and they stretched down his side. As usual, his brother was thinking along the same lines as he was.

"You've finally learned to not make yourselves such easy targets. Bet it galls though." Alrik grinned. "Bet all the other warriors in your clan have the full tattoo." Hakon narrowed his eyes but didn't respond. Alrik only shrugged and continued. "We were going to do the full interrogation, but why bother? We know what you did. We even know how you did it. Any words you'd like us to carry to your mother after your execution?"

His only betraying reaction was a brief fisting of his hands.

"Your own laws say I get the Tribunal, Torfa."

"That doesn't really apply to traitors," Alrik answered with mock sadness.

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"You are the traitors," he spat back. "Making deals with the Earthlings. Not seizing what should be Delroi's. You keep it all for yourself." He met Daggar's gaze while he made the accusation that Daggar was keeping Earth's women to a small group of warriors he'd selected. "Safe here in your guarded palace. Well, you aren't so safe anymore are you, Overchief?" The man's words and disrespect should have angered him, but they didn't. He'd heard the argument too many times, had counter-argued too many times that the Delroi weren't marauding monsters. Honor demanded they treat the Earthlings with respect. Their women would save Delroi. That was a tribute that could not be equaled and as long as he was in charge would not be answered with a senseless bloody and protracted war.

Before he could frame a response the warriors who'd been dismissed returned and handed a comm unit to Alrik. "Last communication came from Saber City, my lord." Not particularly helpful information. Saber City was the southern stronghold, held by the Saber Clan, the only warrior clan on Delroi that could possibly challenge Torfa rule. Vasin Trace, chief of the Saber clan, wasn't likely to challenge Daggar. However, he oversaw several minor clans and the allegiance of all of them was questionable. Alrik stood and joined them at the door. "Anything else?" One of the warriors shifted nervously and curious, Daggar moved closer.

"The techs think they've narrowed it down to the district held by the Trace Clan."

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Daggar immediately reached for Kendall with his mind, relieved to find her calm and well. Alrik sent the warriors away.

"Barak is trustworthy. You know that." Who was trying to convince? Daggar or himself? He saw a glimmer of doubt in his brother's eyes. "Barak has always served us well. There are thousands of clan members. Hell, the communication could even be from another clan hoping to throw us off by being in the wrong district."

Daggar nodded. It was possible, but he had a nagging feeling something wasn't right with that scenario. He didn't doubt Barak's loyalty. His clan's, on the other hand, was up for debate. He turned to Hakon.

"Why now? Who's organized the rebels?" He refused to answer and Daggar repressed an exasperated sigh.

"It's obvious someone has. We'll find out sooner or later and cooperating might earn you a little leniency." Hakon's laugh was more of a bark. "You'll kill me without ceremony. Without a trial. Just as Vasin said you would." Daggar hid his reaction, didn't stiffen and run from the room after Kendall the way he wanted to. Vasin was a common name, especially in the south. There was no reason to assume Hakon was talking about Barak's father. None but his paranoia.

"Your friend Vasin isn't very well informed. You're a traitor, Hakon. We don't have to take you to the Tribunal." 155

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"No." His eyes took on the fervent light of many of the rebel fanatics Daggar had questioned over the years. "I'm a patriot. You are a disgrace, a betrayer to the warrior caste." Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like he hadn't heard that before? He met Alrik's gaze. "Nothing new. Throw him back in his cell." His sense of unease was growing urgent. He wanted to get to Kendall. The two guards were back in the room to escort Hakon. They weren't gentle as they yanked him up from the table and around the table to the door. Hakon passed within spitting distance of Daggar and grinned.

"How's your
der'lan
, Overchief? Hope you enjoyed her while you could."

Alarm escalating, he signaled the guards to hold. "What are you talking about? Speak!"

"It's too late. Your spymaster led her straight into a trap. Yes. We know what he is. Did anyone really believe his father would let him free? His first loyalty must be to his clan chief. Some traditions never die."

Daggar didn't respond with words. Instead he threw a very satisfying punch that not only broke the man's nose but knocked him out.

"Lock him up," he ordered the guards and hurried to leave the room despite the fact he really wanted to stay and pound him to a pulp for threatening his
der'lan
. There was no time for that. Kendall was calling for help.

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