Lost Memories

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An Ellora‟s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Lost Memories ISBN 9781419920509 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Lost Memories Copyright © 2009 Rebecca Airies Edited by Helen Woodall Cover art by Syneca Electronic book Publication September 2009 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora‟s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora‟s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher‟s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author‟s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors‟ imagination and used fictitiously.

LOST MEMORIES

Rebecca Airies

Dedication This is for all of my friends, for the support and understanding and the unending encouragement.

Lost Memories

Chapter One Mace Fallin began slowing the Veriga-class battleship as they neared the boundary between Shifter-Protected Space and Central Command Space. He checked the vector, ensuring that they‟d arrive at the appointed rendezvous point with a Central Command ship. A warning flashing on the screen in front of him alerted him they were nearing the boundary. “Nearing the border, Ardin.” Mace looked up from the screen. His eyes met the blue eyes of the blond man sitting in one of the two large, black command chairs. “No sign of the Central Command ship yet.” “Tell me when you get the ship onscreen.” Ardin Lukas Markon sat back in the seat and waited. Mace nodded and focused on his duty. He brought the ship to a stop just on the shifter side of the border. Swinging the battle-class ship smoothly, he put it in good docking position for the ship sent to meet them. A dot appeared on the screen in front of Mace. Heading straight for them, the ship was identified as a small cargo vessel. That should be the Central Command representative sent to act as escort. The man would take a small group of shifters to an uninhabited planet named Menati in Central Command Space. Some shifter artifacts had been found there and for once, Central Command had offered to turn them over without opposition. “A small cargo ship is on course to meet us.” Mace didn‟t look up from the screen. He wanted to make sure the ship was actually slowing its approach. If it wasn‟t, he should be able to maneuver the Mishal out of danger.

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“Good. As soon as they‟re docked, the supplies can be loaded and Delis and Corwin can board,” Ardin Lukas said. “Open the main screen, Shayna. I want to see as well as hear the communications.” The cream-colored wall at the front of the bridge parted, revealing a huge screen. It flared but remained blank. Mace looked back down at the navigations screen. The ship slowed, stopping just on the other side of the boundary. “Central Command cargo vessel Parian to the shifter vessel across the boundary. Ready to pick up small party for the mission to Menati.” A soft, husky voice rang in the room but no image accompanied the sound. Mace stiffened. He felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. His muscles tensed, his cock hardened. Shock rolled through him as he felt his canines lengthen. All from the sound of a woman‟s voice. He hadn‟t felt that way in years. Not since Honie had died. Now the sound of a voice like hers brought back all the feelings—the joy of finding his mate and the agony of losing her. He shook his head, trying to clear the memories of failing her, felt anew the guilt and pain. Everything seemed as sharp as if it had just happened. He could almost smell the scent of blood and the image of that pile of blood-soaked clothes refused to fade. He lowered his head, taking deep breaths, trying to get control of his mind and emotions. The murmur of voices penetrated but for a moment he couldn‟t understand exactly what the person was saying or who was saying it. “Santir ship Mishal to cargo vessel Parian, activate vid for communication. We like to see who we‟re working with. Stand by for instructions.” The amused voice of Shayna Terrich, comm officer, finally reached him. He kept his attention on the screen at his station, striving for control. Gradually, his breathing slowed and his heartbeat returned to normal. Part of him remained alert, desperate for the sound of that voice. His body remained tense and the tiron within

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wanted to pounce, to grab his lost mate. Knowing that couldn‟t be Honie made no difference. “Bring your ship around to the docking hangar,” Shayna said. “I‟m sending— By the Tears, Honie!” Mace‟s head snapped up and he looked up at the huge screen. Doubt and hope speared through him as his eyes focused on the screen. He wanted it so bad but he knew it was impossible. Tendrils of red hair had escaped a tight braid, framing her soft face. Just that one look at the achingly familiar face into the startled, dark brown eyes was enough to banish all doubt. That was Honie! Somehow, she was still alive. She looked stunned and for just a moment there was absolutely no hint of recognition in her eyes. He didn‟t know how that could be but pushed it to the side as emotion welled inside him. He could feel fine tremors rolling over his skin and joy and excitement raced through him. His eyes ran over her, noting the paleness of her creamy skin. Taking in the black Central Command uniform she wore, he wondered if she was part of the escort. Beyond her he saw the light brown walls of a small ship. He didn‟t see any other people on the ship. A thousand questions raged through his mind. Where had she been? What had happened to her? Why hadn‟t she tried to find them? He knew if she had even come to Shifter-Protected Space, she‟d have eventually found their thent. Why was she wearing a Central Command uniform? “You,” she growled, flags of red flying on her cheeks as she shot to her feet. That black bodysuit hugged her form so closely that he could easily envision her naked body. His thoughts flew straight to memories of what her warm skin felt like pressed against his. He could practically see the anger rolling off her. Her eyes locked on him, burning with emotion.

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“Honie…” Just her name. After so long, he couldn‟t think of anything to say. He wanted to hold her, feel her, make sure he wasn‟t going to wake up and discover it was just a beautiful dream. “You left me!” Her voice rose and her head shook from side to side. Her hands fisted at her sides. She drew in a slow breath as if trying to calm herself. He flinched at the accusation. He couldn‟t deny it. There was no real defense. They had left her. “I’ma, I‟ve missed you.” “Don‟t call me that. You don‟t have the right to call me „darling‟ after leaving me to suffer in that prison on Nachul.” The distinct sound of her feminine growl rumbled through the room. He swallowed hard. “Mace, go pack your things. You‟re going on this mission. Shayna, tell Corwin and Delis they‟re off. I think Mace and Honie need to do this one on their own.” Ardin Lukas turned and met Mace‟s eyes. Mace nodded, determination tightening the muscles in his jaw. Now that she‟d come back into his life, he wouldn‟t lose her again. Not even for a short trip to pick up some artifacts. He looked one last time at the screen and left at a run for his quarters. Leaving before he got the answers to his questions wasn‟t something he wanted to do but he was sure both he and Honie would have soon been yelling if he hadn‟t. He didn‟t want to yell. He needed to get close enough to touch her again. Her last words had made him want to go through that screen after her. Part of him took her angry words as a denial that she was his mate. That part of him wanted to prove just how much she belonged with him. She was his mate. His woman. The woman on the screen looked like her, but that was it. He‟d never have guessed that the sweet, shy woman he‟d met could even be that angry, much less hold a grudge. He remembered everything about her including the first time that he‟d seen her.

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***** The door to the holding cell opened and a group of women stumbled through. Mace knew that they‟d been prodded forward by the guards. Most of the women had blonde hair and wore black bodysuits, but a few of them looked as if they‟d been rousted out of bed. As the ventilation kicked in one of the women stopped. Her long red hair hung in a tousled mess down her back. Her head rose and tilted to the side. A slow smile curved her lips and she began walking. She wore a sleeveless light green shirt and green, knee-length pants. He couldn‟t help notice the sexy sway of her unconfined breasts beneath that loose shirt. It was as if she had a very definite goal in mind and she was heading straight for him. He didn‟t know if she was just glad to see other Santir here, but he‟d have thought she‟d head for the larger group near the center of the main holding area. She stopped just in front of him and looked up at him through her lashes. “Hello, I‟m Mace. Are you all right? Did they hurt you?” Mace couldn‟t resist smiling at her. She didn‟t look hurt, but the Nachul guards weren‟t gentle. “I‟m Honie. I wasn‟t hurt. Aside from a bit of a rough landing from that tow beam we‟re all okay.” She shrugged. Her eyes glittered as she watched him. He didn‟t know what she was thinking. There was something secretive about that look. She stepped to the side and leaned her hip against the wall. That move brought a tantalizing scent to him. A wall of arousal slammed into him. His mate. Now he understood that smile. He just couldn‟t fathom why she‟d just stood there so calmly. He couldn‟t manage it. With a groan, he hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her against him. She laughed softly, looping her arms around his neck. “You should have said something.” He had no idea if she‟d understood him. He‟d growled the words against her neck. He couldn‟t resist touching her. He licked the skin just above the throbbing pulse below her jaw. The sound of laughter cut through a bit of the haze of arousal. He lifted her higher and carried her to his cell. He knew the front of it was open, but it was as 9

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private as they could get right now. The other Santir would realize what the intense reaction meant and give them some time and space. He put her down and tugged her loose shirt over her head. His eyes locked on her breasts. The dark nipples jutted out in the cool air. He licked his lips. He wanted to get his mouth on those. Her hands rose and worked at the fastenings of his shirt. He brushed his thumb over one stiff peak. Her eyes drifted closed and she shivered. The scent of her arousal rose, tempting him. The urge to press her against the wall and drive into her was almost too much. Not yet. He wanted to see all of her sweet body. She pushed his shirt wide. Her palms swept inward and he felt the slight edge of her nails. His muscles tightened and he drew her to him. She drew in a hissing breath as her nipples pressed against his chest. He shifted from side to side just to give her an extra jolt of sensation. Her palms swept up his side and smoothed over his back, holding him tightly to her. She pressed kisses to his chest. Her teeth grazed the tip of his nipple. He gritted his teeth as fire shot down his back. He slipped his hands underneath the stretchy waistband of her pants and cupped her buttocks, lifting her off her feet. He wanted to kiss her, really kiss her. She hooked her arms around his neck and her soft lips brushed his. He wasn‟t in the mood for soft. He wanted wild, needed to claim her. He nipped her lips and licked the full lower curve. He felt her fingers tug at his hair. He growled. His tongue stroked into her mouth. Her tongue met his, tempting and darting into his mouth. He pushed her pants over her hips. The garment hung at her thighs. He impatiently shoved them to her knees. Gravity took over and the green pants fell to the floor. He gave her just enough time to step out of them, before he walked her back to the wall. Her teeth grazed the line of his jaw. He tensed and the muscles in his arms shook. She laughed softly. Her hand skimmed over his stomach to the waist of his pants. She didn‟t stop there. Her hand boldly cupped his cock. He tensed and tried to get control of himself. His cock jerked, pressing against his pants.

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She seemed determined to drive him to the edge of his control. He turned her to face the wall. It wasn‟t just to stop her hands from roaming. He needed to have her like this, her shoulder bare and ready for his bite. He brushed her hair to the side, revealing one golden shoulder. He placed a gentle kiss on the curve. Her buttocks rubbed against him. He slipped his hand around her waist and cupped her pussy. As much as he wanted her, he needed to make sure she was ready for him. He pressed two fingers between the damp folds. He stroked her clit in slow circles. Her feet shifted, widening her stance even more. His fingers slipped down to the slick opening. He thrust two fingers into her. Her muscles clenched around the thick digits. Her hips rolled as he pumped his fingers deep before pulling them out again. He could tell she was close and that was good. He wasn‟t going to last long this time. He unfastened his pants and pulled her against him. Her skin was soft and warm. She moved her buttocks in circles, tempting him. He couldn‟t resist. He pulled back. She leaned forward. He fitted his cock to her opening and rocked forward. Her juices seared him as he drove deep into her. She moaned and met each thrust of his hips. He brushed his lips over her shoulder. He could feel the sharp tips of his canines. The urge to mark her, to mate with her grew with each deep stroke. Soft whimpering cries erupted from her. Her body trembled and he felt the clench of her tight muscles gripping and pulling at his cock. Those clenching spasms pushed him to the edge. His teeth grazed her shoulder before sinking into the muscle. She screamed his name as he continued to drive into her. Prickling electricity raced up his spine and exploded. His body shook and pleasure slammed through him.

***** Honie Deveian‟s eyes followed the broad-shouldered, muscular form of her mate as he left the room. As angry as she was at him, she hadn‟t wanted to see her gray-eyed man leave.

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He‟d changed a little from the man she‟d studied on the vids. He seemed a bit more muscular. His hair was shorter, just past his shoulders. His thick gold hair had once hung almost to mid-back, secured at the back of his neck with a thong. Of all the changes, that one irrationally heightened her anger. She‟d had some vivid fantasies about his long hair. Conflicting desires rioted inside her. She longed to know more than how he looked. She‟d like to know the feel of his sensuous lips and touch the strong, broad line of his jaw. Just knowing how the dark spots of his trika spread across his jawline wasn‟t enough. She wanted to know the feel of those slightly rough spots beneath her fingertips as she caressed his jaw. At the same time, she never wanted to see him again, much less get close enough to touch him. She wanted him to feel the betrayal, the hurt that she did. But she knew he didn‟t. A loud growl brought her attention back to the people on the bridge. Her mind was still grappling with seeing her mate again. All the Santir wore dark red shirts and black pants and they were all looking at her as if she was some kind of phantom. She hadn‟t even really expected to find Santir waiting for her at the rendezvous. How was it possible that she‟d encountered the one group who she‟d wanted to avoid? She‟d never wanted to see any of these people again. She might not know what many of them looked like but she couldn‟t forget what they‟d done. Fury burned through her. Out of all of the people in the room, she‟d seen only Mace but now she was looking at a group of Santir who seemed as stunned to see her as she was them. That didn‟t give her any sense of satisfaction. In fact, she felt at a definite disadvantage. She knew only one of the people there and only his face, his title and his name. Ardin Lukas Marcon stood in front of one of two large black chairs near the center of the bridge. The large, muscled, golden-haired man put his hands on his hips and frowned at her. It appeared the Ardin wasn‟t happy. Great. She wasn‟t exactly thrilled to see him. He and the other Ardin, Torr Nalich, had also been prisoners in that prison.

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Because they were the leaders, she placed a lot of the blame for what happened on their shoulders. “What are you doing working for Central Command?” The Ardin‟s blue eyes narrowed and his tone dripped with ice as he turned to face her. “We thought you were dead.” He had gall asking her any questions and expecting answers after what she‟d suffered. Her anger exploded. “Trying to regain the memories I lost in that hell!” Honie snarled. She drew in a deep breath as she fought to regain control of her temper. “Did it make it easier for you to tell yourself that all you were leaving behind were bodies, tamaurg?” The curse word escaped before she could stop it. It translated loosely to “bastard” and at that moment she felt every bit of the disrespect it implied. Gasps sounded from the speakers. From the dropped jaws on most of the men‟s faces, she knew that they hadn‟t expected such blatant insolence. Her lips pulled into a tight smile. If they hadn‟t already guessed, they‟d soon realize this wasn‟t some fit of pique. “I‟ll ignore the insult for now.” The Ardin stiffened and shifted his stance, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. “The others, they are alive?” “Why should I tell you anything?” Honie enjoyed the surprise of the other Santir at her scathing tone. “You had men swarming around that prison but didn‟t take the time to even look for us.” “They said you were all dead,” one of the men on the bridge countered. “And they were always such honest, caring captors.” Honie clenched her jaw, leaning forward as she placed her palms on the control panel. The stupidity, their blindness astounded her. “But then, it wasn‟t all because you were so gullible. You had some help in believing those lies.” “Is my mate alive?” A deep rolling growl announced the Ardin‟s displeasure. It was very different in tone and intent than the Ardin‟s earlier growl. 13

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Honie felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise. Even though he was on another ship, she felt the distinct urge to take a step back. In spite of her anger, she couldn‟t maintain her defiance. “Brie‟s alive but she doesn‟t want anything to do with you or with the other Ardin.” She idly wondered where Ardin Torr was. “We‟ll find her.” Ardin Lukas smiled. He glanced over toward the comm station. “Give her the coordinates. Mace will be waiting for her.” The coordinates appeared on the message screen and she inputted them and began to take the cargo ship around the large battleship. Docking procedures flew by in a blur of routine and moments later, Honie felt the light dip of the craft as it settled onto the floor of the docking hangar. She heard the click as someone tried the hatch. A tiny thrill of fear and a strong surge of anticipation tingled through her. Uncertainty rippled through her. Her stomach tightened into a hard knot. She didn‟t want to see him, yet part of her ached to be with him. Her finger hovered over the release for a moment. She could delay it but she knew there was no avoiding it. She‟d have to let him on the ship and take him to Menati. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and pushed the button. The light brown metal hatch slid out and up. Mace bounded into the shuttle and his eyes pinned her to the chair. She saw the hope in his gray eyes melt into joy and satisfaction. His face seemed to glow with it. Gods, he was beautiful. Thick eyebrows arched over smoke-gray eyes. That dark color only enhanced the golden tone of his skin. He seemed taller than she‟d thought he would be. She hadn‟t really been able to judge his height from the vids. He made the small ship seem almost claustrophobic with his broad shoulders and muscular form. Conflicting emotions rushed through her. Joy and eagerness warred with anger and betrayal. She wanted to run to him and she wanted to hurt him. Held immobile by the inner struggle, she stared at him.

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Mace had no such hesitation. He stalked over to her, closing the distance in a few long strides. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her out of the chair, enveloping her in his scent and warmth. It felt wonderful to have his body pressed against hers, safe and comforting, yet exciting at the same time. She nestled closer, inhaling, drawing his scent deep into her. Warm, musky, his scent reminded her of the slightly spicy smell in the air on summer nights on her home world. A moment later reality crashed into her mind. He‟d left her. She struggled, pushing at him, wanting—needing—to put some space between them. When his arms loosened, she stumbled away from him. She held up a hand. Even as she did it, the absurdity of that move struck her. If he came after her, she wouldn‟t be able to stop him with a mere hand. A stunner might do it—if she could bring herself to pull the trigger. She didn‟t want to be hurt again but she didn‟t think she could deliberately hurt him. “Honie,” Mace breathed her name as he took a step toward her. “You left me!” Tears fell from her eyes and Honie dashed the wet streaks from her cheeks, furious at herself for showing such a weakness. “I’ma…” The soothing timbre of Mace‟s voice curled into her. “Don‟t you come near me, you tamaurg,” Honie growled, backing away from him until she bumped into the console of the control panel. As angry as she was, she knew that it wouldn‟t be much of defense against constant contact with him. Even with fury pounding through her, he posed a huge temptation. “Sorry son of a Setarin whore, how can you look at me as if you expect me to walk into your arms after what you did?”

Mace took a deep breath to calm the beast inside him. Waiting for her ship to dock had been torture. The tiron wanted to pounce and grab, claim his mate but he held back. She was more than entitled to her anger. They‟d left her in that prison. The Gods only

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knew what the Nachul scientists and guards had done to her while she was there. “We‟ll discuss this fully once we‟re loaded and on our way.” He saw her eyes narrow, almost hiding the rich brown of her irises. “Talking is all we will be doing.” Honie raised her chin. “You can get that lecherous look out of your eyes. What I want to do to you is violent, not amorous.” “Even that might be welcome after the years without you, nari.” Mace couldn‟t keep the broad smile from curving his lips as she stiffened. He relished saying the Santir word for mate. Just looking at her was a glimpse of paradise, even when she was glaring and sniping at him. He allowed his eyes to run over her. Her tall, curvaceous body practically vibrated with anger. Her fury only enhanced her vivid beauty. Tendrils of her beautiful hair escaped her braid, softening the strict military look she‟d been trying to achieve. The creamy ivory tone of her skin glowed. His hands itched to once again touch that soft flesh. It was her eyes that kept him where he was. Anger and pain radiated from those dark brown orbs. He saw her eyes focus behind him and turned. Mace saw that Jaison stood in the opening of the hatch. He looked back at Honie and saw no recognition in her eyes. Jaison had been at that prison. She should know him. “Where should we put everything?” Jaison raised a brow. “It‟s good to see you again, Honie.” “Fresh food and some of his clothing and everyday items will be stored up here. The rest goes in the cargo with the equipment I brought,” Honie explained. “I‟m sorry but I don‟t recognize you. If you were in that prison, you must not be one of the men whose faces I memorized.” “His name is Jaison and you met him on Nachul.” Mace raised a brow as he watched her. “They said you had some kind of memory problem. Open the cargo doors and we‟ll start to load everything.” Jaison smiled at her and then turned his attention to Mace. 16

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“The Ardin want to talk to her after you launch and they also have had extra rations for her sent down.” Mace looked over at Honie. That black bodysuit she wore fit so close to her body it almost qualified as skin. It clearly delineated every line from her nicely rounded breasts to the flare of her hips. The thin material hid nothing. When he‟d held her against him, he‟d felt the hard nubs of her nipples poking him through the fabric. “I‟ll open the link after we leave the hangar.” Mace nodded. “They‟re right. She doesn‟t need to eat the Central Command rations. Ours will be better for her.” “I‟ll eat what I want,” Honie snarled. Mace turned and saw her glaring at him. “I‟m going to help load the supplies, rah’ki. Try to calm down while I‟m gone.” Her not so muffled exclamation followed him out of the hatch into the cavernous hangar. Pacing along the black ship, he used the time to try to adjust his thinking. For so long, he‟d thought she was dead. He‟d been living in purgatory, merely existing. Trying to talk or love her out of her anger offered a challenge that he‟d never expected to face. He welcomed the unexpected miracle. They fit perfectly together. With her above-average height, her head just reached his shoulder. When she had curled that hot body against his, he‟d wanted to take her right there. She‟d been soft, warm and welcoming. He‟d felt like he‟d found his home again after an eternity of wandering. With the loading completed, Mace carried a small bag of his clothing into the crew compartment. Honie was putting away the fresh food that had been brought on board. He saw her slant her eyes his way but she didn‟t say anything. He smiled as he stowed his gear in one of the compartments. “We‟re ready to go. I‟ll pilot.” Mace walked over and took the seat before she could argue. “Hurry and stow the last of that and find a seat.” He heard a door slam and if he wasn‟t wrong a muted growl.

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“Well, let‟s go,” Honie instructed tightly. He looked back and saw that she‟d taken a seat on one of the benches that converted into a bed. She was sitting with her arms crossed and staring at the opposite wall. With a small shake of his head, he turned back to the controls. He‟d make sure that she didn‟t maintain her distance for long. “Mishal, cargo ship Parian ready to leave hangar. Awaiting instructions.” Mace activated the comm. “You‟re clear to leave, Parian. Remember, Mace, the Ardin want regular communications about the situation. We‟ll expect to hear from you daily when you get there.” “Will keep in regular contact,” Mace affirmed and took the cargo ship out of the hangar. After he‟d set the ship on a course to Menati, he turned to Honie. “You might as well come up here to the copilot‟s seat. I‟m going to contact the Ardin and they probably have as many questions as I do.” He turned back to the controls but he heard Honie‟s low growl. He was a little surprised when she dropped into the copilot‟s seat without further argument. He‟d expected a fight.

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Chapter Two A moment later, an image appeared across the large display in front of the pilot and copilot‟s seats. He was looking at the creamy white walls of the Ardins‟ private conference room. The two Ardin waited, sitting tensely in padded black and red chairs. The chairs had been turned away from the large table to face the viewing screen. He could see the impatience in their stiff forms and their hard expressions. Ardin Torr‟s short red hair looked as if he‟d raked his fingers through it repeatedly. In many cases, he knew that their need for information would mirror his. The two men would want to know what had happened and where their mate was. They‟d also want to know why some of her memory seemed spotty and why other parts seemed clear. He was just as interested in that tale. “Finally,” Ardin Torr nodded. “Has she told you why she claims to have memory problems and yet can recognize some people?” “Not yet,” Mace smiled and glanced over at Honie, who was staring mutinously straight ahead. “She didn‟t recognize Jaison and told him that his face wasn‟t one of those she‟d memorized.” “Memorized, from what?” Ardin Lukas leaned back and stretched his legs out in front of him. “I don‟t know. She‟s furious and hasn‟t said much to me.” Mace tapped his fingers on the console. “If you have any questions, then ask me.” Honie stood and took a step to the side. “Otherwise, I‟m going to go see if I can catch some sleep.” Mace cast a glance her way. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips were flattened into a thin line. Anger, recklessness and defiance burned in her dark eyes. She seemed determined to do this the hard way. 19

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“I know you have reason to be angry with me, Honie, but try to calm down. Don‟t push me too far.” Mace circled his fingers around her wrist. He needed to know what had happened. As volatile as her emotions were, his were equally chancy. He‟d thought she was dead for years and now, she‟d suddenly reappeared. Every instinct demanded he hold her close, keep her from leaving him again. He‟d have never left that prison if he‟d believed that she was alive. If he‟d thought there was the slightest hope. He knew that the Ardin would have torn the prison apart if they‟d suspected that even one of the women was alive. He‟d seen their clothes and smelled the Santir blood soaking them. That had been what had convinced him she‟d died. There had been too much blood. He saw her eyes moving over his face. He had no idea what she saw but she sat back down and faced the screen. Her expression hadn‟t softened and she was far from calm. He could smell the sharp bite of her anger but she hadn‟t stormed away from him. “Now, as to our questions.” Ardin Torr steepled his fingers. “Lukas told me you said something about us having help believing their lies. What did you mean?” “It‟s a relatively simple statement but I‟ll elaborate. I‟m sure you‟ll be amazed.” Honie‟s voice rang with sarcasm. “One of your people lied to you.” “If your memory is so bad, how can you be sure?” Mace turned to face her, waiting for the answer. “I was watching you when you met Jaison. You really didn‟t know him.” “No, I didn‟t know him.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I only know a few things from the last ten years. Before that there are gaps in my memory. The only untouched memories are those from my childhood.” “Then how would you know someone lied to us while we were in that prison?” Ardin Torr arched an imperious red-gold eyebrow. “The entire prison was wired for vid. The main area where you were held was rigged for vid and audio. When the force from Central Command rescued us, they

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confiscated all the archived vid-disks.” A small smile tilted Honie‟s lips as she imparted this bit of information. At that moment, she looked very much the smug little cat. “You watched it?” Mace groaned at the thought and he saw the pained look on Ardin Lukas‟ face. He could well imagine what they were thinking. Every conversation had been captured on that recording. There were no thent secrets but there were a few things that wouldn‟t show the clan in its best light. A few of the single females of their group had attitudes and beliefs that regularly caused trouble. “We watched it—trying to make a connection to the past.” Honie shrugged and her lips twisted into a frown. “We learned so much but nothing triggered any memories. Everything I know about that time is secondhand and memorized.” “Do you have any of that vid with you?” Mace asked and turned to face her. He wanted to see what she was talking about but there was a much larger reason he wanted it. Maybe they could figure out what was done to her from it, help her regain some of what she‟d lost. “You think you actually have the right to it?” Honie lounged in the seat and tossed a scornful look at him. “You believed I was dead on the slimmest evidence.” The woman was pushing him. She sought to deny everything, to push it behind her anger and hurt. He knew she was just using it as a defense. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He could see the desire in her brown eyes, smell it in her luscious scent. He leaned forward and caged her in her seat. “Regardless of what has happened, there are some things that won‟t change. You‟re my mate. I‟m not letting you disappear again.” “Do you have any of that vid?” Ardin Lukas demanded. “Yes.” Honie cast a defiant look toward the screen but her eyes quickly turned back to Mace as he relaxed back in his seat.

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“Get it and put it on the feed. I want to see the moment when this person lied to us.” Ardin Torr stood up and began pacing around the creamy-white carpeted room. Honie opened her mouth but then snapped it closed as she stood. She moved to the back of the crew section and opened one of the storage areas. A moment later, she pulled out a personal computer. She brought the compact device back to the copilot‟s seat and flipped it open. Without a word, she began to type on the keyboard. “When were you freed?” Mace asked. That was only one of the questions that plagued him. How long had she suffered the tortures of that prison? “What does it matter to you?” Honie‟s brown eyes burned with pain and anger. “You had more than enough men but you didn‟t look for us. You didn‟t even care enough to try to get our bodies out of their hands.” Mace winced. That accusation struck deep. It was too true. They hadn‟t looked and they‟d left with the knowledge that they were leaving bodies behind. At the time, he‟d still been reeling from the sight of those clothes, the knowledge and impact of her “death”. He hadn‟t thought about it until days after they were freed. It had been too late then. “We‟ll deal with that later.” Ardin Torr‟s decisive voice broke the silence which had begun to stretch. “Show us what you have.” “I should make you figure who it is on your own…but it would probably take you years, if you ever found it at all.” Honie‟s left hand curled into a fist. A moment later, she winced and relaxed her hand, pressing it to her thigh. “Even with your memories you haven‟t seen it.” Mace growled. “Your anger I will tolerate but you will not be openly disrespectful to your Ardin. Obey their orders.” Even in the prison, she‟d shown courage and strength. Now she was treading close to the edge of open defiance. Honie slammed the computer down onto the console and Mace had to deal with several alerts caused by that impact. She stalked past him and began to pace the small confines of the craft. She swung around just as Mace turned his seat to look at her. 22

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“They‟re not my Ardin. They‟re yours.” Honie glared at him. “It‟s just the same with you. You‟re not my mate.” Mace stood and could feel the tiron within tensing. Animal fury pulsed within him. She was his mate and had acknowledged him as such repeatedly when they met. That she tried to deny that now tested the limits of his control. It took every ounce of his strength to keep the tiron from pouncing. A hard smile curved her lips. “I admit you claimed me, that‟s obvious from the vid I saw. We had sex and it was obvious that I‟d accepted you and was eager to join your thent. If it had been possible, I would probably have gone through a ceremony. You seemed to like fucking me, but a real mate would have torn that place apart before he left—to find me or my body if that was the case.” The tiron burst from his restraints. He felt his skin rippling as fur began to push through his skin. His canines lengthened and the need to shift flared within him. He struggled to control the change, to calm his temper. He was winning the battle until he saw her take a step away from him. Primitive fear swept over him, washing away logic. She was trying to run from him. He was only a breath away from shifting into a tiron. His eyes never left hers as he saw her ease back another cautious pace. In a single leap, he was upon her. Mace urged her back until she was caged against the russet-colored wall. His body pressed against hers. He lowered his head and brushed his lips across the soft curve of her cheek. Her scent flooded his senses. Soft and delicate, the essence of pirali fruit floated around him and he also thought he caught a whiff of blood. “Mine,” he growled, rolling his hips against hers. Looking down into her face, he saw nervousness but no fear and the scent of her desire bloomed, clear and delicious. Her fingers trailed up and down his arms in a soothing rhythm. The feel of her hands on him in any way was heaven. She relaxed against him, turning her face as his lips feathered kisses over her cheeks. 23

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Mace savored the first brush of her lips and her ready response to him. Her mouth opened under his and he reveled as her tongue tangled with his. He dominated the kiss, thrusting deep into her sweet depths and pulling her hard against him. Her fingers speared into his hair and pulled him to her. He‟d never found a kiss so heady. When he lifted his head, her lips clung to his, reluctant to end the kiss. Her body arched into his, rubbing sinuously against him. He lifted one of his hands from the wall and skimmed it from her hip, up over her ribs and to the outer swell of her breasts. “Mace!” Ardin Lukas‟ sharp tone broke into the fever which held Mace. Baring his teeth, Mace turned his head to the screen, irritated by the interruption. That feeling increased when he turned back to Honie and saw the wary distrust now shadowing her gaze. He wanted his mate back. He wanted the trusting, loving woman he‟d known in that prison. “Go sit down and pull up the vid the Ardin want.” Mace stepped back and allowed her to move past him. “And keep any more provoking comments to yourself.” To his surprise, she did as he said. She returned to the copilot‟s seat and began typing without a word. He took a deep breath and grimaced. The cloth of his pants stretched uncomfortably tightly across the ridge of his cock. He wanted her in his arms but knew that now wasn‟t the time. There were still questions that needed to be answered. He walked back to the pilot‟s seat and carefully sat. “Have you pulled up that vid that we wanted?” Ardin Torr‟s voice was as smooth as tetri silk. Mace ran his eyes over Honie‟s face. He would give her some leeway because of what had happened. He would tolerate her anger and distance temporarily but he wouldn‟t tolerate such disrespect again. “Yes, I‟ve patched it into the link so that you can see it,” Honie said and then took a deep breath. “One part is vid only. I don‟t know if you can read lips.”

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“We can read lips. If we have a problem, there is a program that can do it,” Ardin Lukas assured her as he sat back and waited. Honie shrugged. “That part is more toward the motivation behind the deed.” The vid appeared on the large screen, taking the place of the two Ardin. At the bottom of the screen, the date and time was displayed. Mace recognized that date. It was just a few days before the other Santir had stormed the prison and they had been rescued. The vid showed a narrow, sludge-brown-floored corridor and a group of cells which had been painted a murky green. He couldn‟t remember ever seeing them while he‟d been on Nachul. At Honie‟s tap on the keyboard, the vid zoomed in on two cells. In one cell, Mace recognized four of the women who‟d been left behind. Two of the women who‟d been rescued occupied the other. Lilia and Vera had been reared in established thents before they‟d joined Ardin Torr and Ardin Lukas‟ thent and were part of the problematic group. The women were possessive of the power and position they perceived as theirs. Even before they‟d been captives on Nachul, Lilia, Vera and a few others had made the lives of some women on the ship miserable. Though the men had known about their attitude, the women had been clever in their targets, and their schemes had been hard to stop or prove who exactly was behind them. Lilia slinked over to the steel-plast bars of the cell facing the other women. She tossed her silver-blonde hair over her shoulder and smiled. The menace in that smirk was evident even in the vid. The venom which spewed from Lilia‟s mouth wasn‟t hard to decipher. After reading the first few words, Mace almost knew what the rest of it would be. Her diatribe was familiar. “If you think that any of you will ever be accepted in our thent, you‟re mistaken. We don‟t need garbage from the Mekular polluting our bloodlines. We‟ll make sure life is

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intolerable for you. Why our men feel the need to claim you, I can‟t understand.” Lilia paced. Her lithe stride carried her quickly back and forth across the cell. It was all more of the same but he was glad, he‟d kept watching when Lilia went on to say, “One chance. All I need is a chance and I‟ll make sure you never get to our ship. They don‟t need you. Soon, they‟ll see that.” The vid cut from that isolated area to the large white and green cell area where they‟d all been held. The walls here were the same awful green but the floor was a dirty white color. He still remembered the dampness of the air that had never seemed to fade no matter how hot the day was. The thick double entrance doors exploded, flying inward and armed Santir swarmed into the room. This was the day they‟d been rescued. Mace watched the Santir dressed in black battle armor secure the facility. Honie had been right. There had been more than enough men there to hold the prison while it was searched. “Where should we look for this lie?” Ardin Torr‟s voice overrode the sound of the cells being released. “In a few moments, near the door that led down to the cells you saw earlier.” Honie‟s eyes left the screen and collided with Mace‟s. Mace let her see his determination before turning his attention back to the screen. He wasn‟t letting her get away from him. Now that he‟d found her again, he was going to hold on to her. The vid switched to a closer shot and a different angle. This view showed a narrow door in a corner of the room. One of the black-armored warriors paced toward the door and Ardin Torr and Ardin Lukas followed only a few steps behind him. A moment before they reached the door, Lilia appeared near it. “The guards told the truth, my Ardin.” Lilia stood a few steps away from them. “There is no one down there. Those women must be dead.” “You can‟t be sure,” the Ardin Torr on the tape protested.

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“I just came out of isolation there.” Lilia smiled. “There wasn‟t anybody in those cells. And remember those clothes. No one could survive after losing so much blood.” The vid ended as the men turned and left the prison. The Ardins‟ conference room once again appeared on the screen. Anger and tension raged visibly through both Ardin. Their jaws were tight. Torr‟s fists were clenched. Lukas‟ claws had ripped open the covering of the chair, revealing the white fluffy stuffing. “Where were you?” Torr‟s eyes lasered through the screen. “Were you in those cells?” “Yes,” Honie sent Mace a sad smile. “If you had opened the door, you‟d have seen some stairs. You would‟ve known if you had only released the door. You‟d have heard us.” “Heard you?” Ardin Lukas‟ head shot up and his eyes narrowed. “On the tapes, it‟s easy to see that we were yelling. We‟d lined the bars and were screaming for you. I guess we felt the blast of the doors, maybe heard it.” Honie shrugged. “How long were you there after…” Mace reached across the small distance separating them and brushed his fingers across the back of her hand. She glared at him and jerked her hand away from his. “After you left, three years. From the tapes, we know that sometime in that last year they did something to us, to our memories. Before that time, we talked of you, were angry with you. After that, we didn‟t know anything about our mates until we were freed.” Honie shrugged but her lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. The loss of her memory obviously hurt her. Mace felt as if the weight of the universe had landed on him. While he‟d been roaming the galaxies, she‟d still been a prisoner. She‟d been out only a little over a standard year. Guilt battered at him. He should have searched for her. He shouldn‟t have accepted the lie.

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“You‟re wrong.” Honie‟s sexy, breathless voice broke into his thoughts. She waited until he‟d looked up at her to continue. “You‟ll have to let me go. The Santir made a promise and they don‟t break them even if keeping it goes against a personal need.” Mace‟s mouth kicked up as he restrained a chuckle. She was back to being provoking. “I know of the promise to let the Central Command representative return to her base and I‟ll keep it. Just don‟t make any plans for the days after you return from this mission. I‟ll be coming for you.” “You won‟t find me easily.” Honie crossed her arms over her chest and shot him a seething glare. She was bristling, Mace noted. Her intense reaction encouraged him. The sharp feelings of hurt and anger meant that she still cared. “I‟ll let you get accustomed to the idea of being mated, i’ma. Don‟t think that you‟ll be able to deny yourself. You want me now. Before the end of this mission, you‟ll know that you belong with me.” “Do you think this is easy for me?” Honie stood and paced the length of the cabin. “There‟s so much I don‟t know.” She turned back to face him. “I don‟t even remember meeting you, our mating or the marking. Those are things a woman never forgets. I‟ve seen it on the vid but it‟s not the same.” “Maybe.” Mace wanted to hold her, to comfort her but her every action, every line of her body rejected such an approach. “We might be able to help you.” “Do you think I chose to work for Central Command on a whim?” Honie drew in a deep breath and shot him a narrow-eyed look. “I knew that if I wasn‟t careful, it could put me into an untenable position with some shifter group.” “Then why did you choose to work for them?” Ardin Torr asked. “With Central Command, I had access to all the latest breakthroughs and experimental therapies. I tried everything. Nothing helped.” Honie shook her head and sighed. “I can‟t change the past.” Mace‟s heart hurt at the defeat that rang in her voice. “If it was possible, I would spare you all this pain.” 28

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He stood and strode over to her, aching to take her in his arms. She looked up and blinked at him when she realized he was close. For a moment he again saw the hurt, the anger in her eyes. Her eyelashes lowered and when they lifted again all of that raw emotion was shoved behind a barrier of fierce pride. “Just…leave me alone.” Honie whirled and stalked over to one of the bunks and sat down on it.

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Chapter Three Only a few days had passed and Honie found her resistance weakening already. It would have been easy to deny Mace if he‟d pressed. If he‟d even once demanded anything, she would have had no qualms about her decision to keep him at a distance. He hadn‟t and his restraint made her more nervous than any blunt claim ever could have done. Mace had taken the bunk on the other side of the ship that first night without having to be asked. Since then his behavior was so strange, she wondered if maybe he‟d taken some kind of drug. He wasn‟t behaving anything like she expected a shifter mate to act. Honie stood and walked over to the food prep area. They‟d taken turns so far on this journey in meal preparation and it was her turn. She took a few sealed containers out of the cold unit and placed them on the small prep counter. “Tell me about Menati and the situation there.” Mace‟s voice cut into the silence. Honie popped one dish into the small oven. She could have used the auto-prep but she didn‟t want to hear another lecture about fresh food being better than the prepackaged food. Starting a fight wouldn‟t make this any easier. “It‟s a small planet, lush with plant life. The site where the artifacts were found is deep in a thick forest. You may have noticed that there aren‟t any skimmers back in the cargo area.” Honie tossed a look toward the pilot‟s seat. Mace was busy entering the course for the autopilot. “When I saw that there weren‟t any skimmers I assumed we‟d be landing close to the site.” Mace finished inputting the coordinates and turned the chair to face her. “If only that were the case, this would be a quick mission. Because of some strange strong air currents that prevent the use of skimmers in the area, we‟ll have to hike ten 30

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days to get to that building, clear an area for the shuttle to land and then remotely pilot it to our location. The thick vegetation around the building and the size of our craft means we will have some extra work.” Honie put some fruit in a bowl and mixed in ciari spice to add a bite to the sweet fruit. “What about the people who put the artifacts in that building? Were they captured?” Mace asked. “No,” Honie smiled as she shook her head. She opened one of the cabinets to get two plates. “Central Command never identified who brought those artifacts to the planet. They set up a buoy to monitor activity on the planet but I‟m sure you know how easy those things are to fool.” “So this situation could be very dangerous.” Mace stood and began to pace. Honie watched his long stride carry him to the end of the small cabin and back twice. “Central Command assumed that the artifacts were acquired for some collector and that is where he keeps them until he‟s ready to either sell them or take them home.” “Even if it is just a collector and not a smuggler, he wouldn‟t leave those artifacts unguarded.” Mace‟s eyes narrowed but he continued to pace. His pacing was making her nervous. Maybe it was time to change the subject. She really didn‟t know any more about the situation. The intel on the planet had been very sketchy. Nothing could be done about it until they actually got to the planet anyway. There was one subject guaranteed to rip his attention away from that planet and any peril that waited for them. The Goddess knew the subject had been dancing through her thoughts enough in the past few days. The temptation of his presence had only increased her need to know the truth. Only one thing had stopped her from asking him about it. In doing so, she‟d be taking one step closer to him, to accepting him—and that scared her. When she‟d learned that her mate had been held in the same prison as she had been and had left her there, the pain, the sense of betrayal had torn away everything she‟d thought she‟d

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known about mates, about life with a thent. The anger and sense of loss had faded only a little in the year she‟d been free. “Mace.” Honie saw him stop pacing and turn to look at her. “Do you know why I was even on Nachul? How did I get into that prison?” “I know that your ship had trouble and you had to land.” Mace took a step closer to her. “You probably had the same trouble that we had—some kind of pulse hit our shuttle, crippling it. There were satellites throughout their solar system rigged to attack any small-to-medium-sized shuttle.” Honie frowned. She wished that he‟d known more but if she‟d told him in the prison it would have been on that vid. The men had already been in that prison when Honie and her friends had arrived. “So you didn‟t know me before I was taken to that prison,” Honie concluded morosely. She had so many questions about that time and the years before it and now very little hope of getting any answers. “I‟d never seen you until they escorted you into the prison. The circumstances there weren‟t conducive to exchanging in-depth histories.” Mace grimaced. “I promise that we‟ll do all we can to get your memory back.” “Everything that can be done has been done. My memory is never coming back.” Honie looked down at the floor as she took a deep breath. She‟d had to accept that. Just recently she‟d begun to think about a life away from Central Command. She hadn‟t decided what she wanted to do but she was tired of doing their work and living on false hope. “Don‟t underestimate our ingenuity. You aren‟t the only woman who‟s involved. The Ardin will also want to give their mate back all that has been lost.” Mace smiled over at her. Honie took in that encouraging curve of his lips. Somehow it seemed wrong. She could hardly believe that he was standing in front of her simply talking to her. He

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wasn‟t pushing for her to accept his position in her life. His behavior seemed out of character. She‟d expected a more aggressive approach from him. By shifter standards, Mace was exhibiting supreme restraint. He hadn‟t picked her up and carried her to someplace private the moment he‟d walked through the hatch. True, he had kissed her but since that time she had tested his temper, he‟d done no more than talk and look. Just the time and space he‟d given her wasn‟t normal in a shifter relationship. Then again, their situation was far from normal. “Why are you being so agreeable?” Honie asked the question which had been running through her mind for the past few days. “It‟s almost as if you‟re trying to court me in the way of humans.” Her eyes skimmed over the red cloth covering his broad chest before moving down his lean body. She noticed his relaxed stance and the warmth in his gray eyes. “Court you?” He almost seemed confused for a moment but then a wicked smile curved his lips. “Ah, you want to know why I haven‟t pressed for more.” Honie rolled her eyes at his smug tone but nodded. “I wanted to give you time to adjust to being with me. You‟ve been angry at me— with cause—for years.” Mace glided closer. His hand slowly rose and cupped the ball of her shoulder before moving inward. His thumb stroked up the column of her throat. Honie‟s eyes fluttered closed for a moment as a tiny thrill shot through her at that simple touch. In spite of all that had gone before, he still had the ability to make her blood heat. She opened her eyes and tried to focus her thoughts. His statement was innocuous enough by itself but she knew what he left unsaid. He wanted to give her time but she would forgive him. She would accept him and his claim. His certainty screamed male arrogance. What infuriated and frightened her was that he was right. She knew it. Before they finished this mission, she would forgive him. She could see his side of the issue but she didn‟t like knowing that he was so certain of her. It tempted everything female within her to resist. 33

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The idea appealed but she knew that playing such games came with a price. If she pushed him too far, he‟d want unconditional surrender. Was she prepared to pay the price when she was caught? The answer burst into her mind. Yes, she‟d welcome the cost when the sensual toll came due. She might not be sure about their relationship or if she could learn to trust him again but she knew that the tie between them was strong. As to sex, she longed to relearn all of the feelings, the smells and the tastes of her mate. “I like that glint in your eyes, i’ma.” Mace glided forward until she could feel the heat of his body. His hand slid down her arm and his fingers tangled with hers. “It‟s just the lights.” Honie couldn‟t keep the smile off her face. She made no move to pull free of him. She liked his sure, warm grip. He tugged her close. As her breasts touched his chest, she looked up into his eyes. His eyes had turned a warm gray and she could smell his arousal curling around her. “So that sensual warmth in those pretty brown eyes is merely the light reflecting off them?” Mace mused as he released her hands, slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her hips snug to his. Honie could feel the hard ridge of his cock pressing against her belly. She rested her hands against the fine cloth covering his ribs. Far from pushing him away, she snuggled closer in his embrace. His fingers closed around her chin and turned her head a little to the side. “Now let‟s see those eyes.” He tilted his head and then turned her head to the other side. “It‟s not the lights. I think you enjoy being with me.” Honie saw his head lowering. She could have turned away, offered him a cheek. But she didn‟t. By the Goddess, she ached to taste his kiss again. The kiss when she‟d angered him had only served to increase her hunger for more. It had merely reminded her of what she‟d been missing.

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His lips brushed over hers and tingles danced along the nerve endings. She rose up on tiptoes, lifting her arms and lacing her fingers into his shoulder-length hair. His mouth slanted over hers as he deepened the kiss. Honie stroked her tongue over his, enjoying his intoxicating scent and taste. Mace‟s tongue retreated and he drew back a little, brushing his lips over hers. She rose on her tiptoes, tightened her grip on his neck and captured his lower lip between her teeth. Running her tongue over it, she peered up at him from beneath her lashes. As his groan rumbled against her lips, one of his hands slid into her hair, cupping the back of her head. His other hand slid over her hip and under her buttocks, lifting her off the deck. Her mouth opened under his as his tongue stroked over her upper lip. “I’ma, do you know how you tempt me?” Mace barely lifted his head. Honie chuckled and trailed her fingers through his hair to his ear. “I don‟t want to question this right now, Mace. Just kiss me, hold me.” His gray eyes bored into hers for a moment before his mouth descended again. She felt him moving and a moment later he sat, arranging her on his lap without breaking contact with her lips. His arm curved around her back and his hand rested on her hip. His other hand followed the line of her neck, stroking the beating pulse there for a moment. She trailed her left hand down the hard plane of his chest and slipped it under the snug material of his shirt. His abdominal muscles tightened as she traced her fingernails across the warm flesh. Honie gloried in his ready response to her. She could feel his hard cock pressing against her hip. His hand slid over the smooth material of her uniform to her breast, cupping the firm mound and rubbing his finger over the hardened tip. Sharp current sizzled through her and pulsed low in her abdomen. He paused and his hand tightened around her breast, squeezing and lifting before his thumb once more flicked over the taut crown. She felt a purr building in the back of her throat.

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Honie turned her head, sliding her lips along his jaw. She needed to make him as crazy as he made her. She felt his body tremble against hers as her mouth brushed over his trika. Her hand pushed his shirt higher. She plucked at the hard disk of his nipple. His hot breath brushed over her ear as he placed kisses across her jaw to her ear. He took the plump lobe between his teeth. When he started worrying the unexpectedly sensitive flesh, Honie was certain that he‟d decided to push her to the brink of insanity. Blood pounded through her veins. She could feel the slick moisture of her arousal coating her labia. She wriggled in his lap, turning her upper body until she could press her chest against his. Groaning, she felt his hand leave her breast but drew in a sharp breath when she felt his fingers brush across her stomach. With maddening slowness, they dipped lower until he cupped her mons in his palm. Honie skimmed her lips down the side of his neck, nipping at the spot where his neck and shoulders met. Excitement burned within her. She wanted his touch and widened her thighs in invitation. His fingers pressed against her and found her hardened clit. A spike of hot desire slammed through her. A thin layer of cloth separated his fingers from her aroused body. She wanted it gone—now. Those knowing digits moved in slow circles. As a fierce need built within her, Honie‟s hips rocked up into each slow stroke. She stretched up until her mouth brushed his, craving his kiss. Gods, she wanted… A shrill beep rang through the small cabin. Honie‟s head fell against his chest and she groaned. She felt Mace‟s growl roll through his body. That damn communications alarm. It was Central Command‟s way of making sure that there were very few missed messages. Every incoming transmission sounded that alarm. The shrill blaring tone grated on her sensitive ears and there was no way to ignore it.

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Mace lifted her off his lap and sat her on the bed. He stalked over to the pilot‟s seat and jabbed at a button, opening the link. His growled greeting probably startled whoever had contacted them. Honie felt heat suffuse her cheeks as she thought about her idea of tempting and teasing him. It had only taken one kiss to clear her brain of all thoughts of keeping him at a distance. By the stars, her body still burned for his. The warmth of his skin, his enticing scent—thoughts such as those had filled her mind. She didn‟t know that Mace had finished his conversation until his fingers brushed across her cheek. “Don‟t be so hard on yourself. It‟s natural that you want me.” Mace smiled down at her and his thumb brushed softly over her temple. “You think the anger is just going to disappear?” Honie grimaced and forced herself to look up at him. “Yes, I want you. I can‟t hide that but I‟m not ready to forgive you.” “It won‟t be long until you do, rao nari.” Confidence radiated from his gray eyes. “Do you think that I‟m so weak as to forgive you just because I want you?” Honie‟s eyes narrowed. She wasn‟t quite ready to let him know just how close she was to forgiving him. “No, i’ma, not for that reason,” Mace whispered as his hand slipped into her hair. “I remember what you were like when I met you. You don‟t hold grudges in spite of the provocation.” “I don‟t?” Honie growled. She arched a brow at him in challenge. “Maybe I‟ve changed since you knew me.” He was already shaking his head in negation of that claim. “No, nari, you are much the same woman I knew in that prison.” His free hand grasped her wrist and his thumb glided in circles in the center of her palm. “You‟re sweet and much too soft for your own good.” “I‟m not soft. A soft woman wouldn‟t have survived these last years.” Honie felt like hitting him. 37

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Mace chuckled. “It‟s not an insult, i’ma. Soft doesn‟t mean you‟re weak.” She huffed her disbelief of that claim. “I suppose you think that you need to ensure that no one takes advantage of that softness.” “Well, i’ma, others I would certainly object to,” Mace confided with a sly smile. He moved a step closer to her. His arm slipped around her waist. “I intend to enjoy your softness.” “Why am I not surprised?” Honie allowed her body to rest against his for a moment, enjoying the heat and hardness. “But I‟m not quite ready to be soft to you just now.” She reached out and patted his hand before she moved away from his loose embrace. “Set the table. Our meal will be ready in a few moments.”

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Chapter Four By the time they landed on Menati, Honie was going slowly crazy. Resisting the desire to go curl up beside him at night cost her valuable hours of sleep. Her libido caused the most damage to her sanity. His scent drove all thoughts other than touching him, kissing him, from her head and concentration was only a remembered skill. She caught herself watching the flow of muscles underneath his skin as he moved through the cabin without a shirt. She knew he did that deliberately, had seen the wicked look in his eyes as he caught her watching him. Even the sight of him sitting in the pilot‟s chair or pacing the confines of the small shuttle aroused her. The man was in imminent danger of being assaulted. She doubted he‟d mind the experience. In fact, he‟d probably help. She knew that he wanted her. From the way he watched her, he was more than ready to renew their relationship. The heat in his eyes amazed and fascinated her. His nice, easygoing manner was merely a shell. Mace couldn‟t fool her. Too much of the alpha boiled within him for this calm, understanding manner to continue for long. It would slip soon. It had cracked when she‟d made that remark about him not being her mate. He‟d almost gone feral on her.

Mace watched Honie as she landed the shuttle. She handled the controls expertly and with confidence. The only sign that they‟d touched ground was a slight dip of the craft. Her hands flew over the controls as she opened the cargo door and the shuttle door. The reference on the console indicated that it was early morning on this part of Menati. He stood and walked to the door but waited until he saw her following him, unwilling to go too far from her. A part of him still had trouble believing that she was 39

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real, that she was alive. In some ways, he hadn‟t minded the confines of this small shuttle. She was close enough to touch at almost all times. He badly wanted to pull her into his arms and strip off all her clothes but resisted the impulse. He needed her desire to be as fierce as his. Mace paced down the short ramp into the knee-high light green grasses which covered the clearing. It was still very dark and a sharp astringent smell hung in the chill morning air. The sun hadn‟t risen yet over the horizon. By the time he rounded the black ship to the open cargo area, Honie had fallen into step beside him. He paused as a strange scent caught his attention. Honie continued into the cargo area and began to gather her things. He turned and scanned edge of the forest. His instincts flared to life and he felt his muscles tightening. He didn‟t see anything but he smelled them. This wasn‟t good. The only good thing was that it was so dark. They wouldn‟t be able to see much. “Honie, grab my pack and the weapons,” he ordered and kept most of his attention on the forest to the east. “Get moving.” From the corner of his eye, he caught Honie tensing. She must have heard something in his tone, because for once she didn‟t argue with him. After a sharp look in his direction, she grabbed the two Santir packs by the straps and clutched the handle of the weapons locker. The weapons locker bumped noisily after her as she hurried over to him. “No questions,” Mace warned before she could open her mouth. He leaned down and gripped the free handle to the locker. “We‟re running for the western tree line…now!” She ran with him, carrying the packs and part of the weapons locker‟s weight. Sprinting across the field at an angle to use the ship as cover, they kept as low to the grass as possible until they reached the cover of trees. As they gained the shelter, Honie spun and crouched near a tree, looking back toward the shuttle that they‟d left wide open. After a moment, she looked back at him.

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“Why?” Honie raised an eyebrow before she turned back toward the shuttle. “Someone‟s in the trees on the other side of the ship.” Mace watched the shuttle. Every instinct inside him screamed that danger lurked nearby. He didn‟t know if the men knew they‟d left the shuttle or not. The one thing he did know was that staying near that shuttle would have meant both of their deaths. Although he couldn‟t put an exact number on the enemy, he knew there was more than one man out there waiting. A mixture of human scents had drifted to him on the wind, not one distinct scent. The scents had come from an area that wouldn‟t have had a clear view of the rear of the shuttle. Facing these men on their terms would give them too much of an advantage. They probably had a numbers advantage. He refused to give them any other help. “We‟re leaving the area, going away from that collector‟s site. Unless we‟ve had some horrible luck, he‟s bought some protection for his stolen artifacts.” Mace took the larger pack from Honie and shrugged into the straps. He knelt and began sifting through the weapons stowed in the locker, choosing his weapons with care and speed. He watched as Honie put on her pack and then chose her weapons. She shut and secured the lid to the weapons locker. She grabbed the handle at her end and waited until he had grabbed his. They carried the locker with them through the forest. Mace wasn‟t about to leave the locker where it could be easily found. He refused to give their enemy any weapons. Moving through the foliage without leaving a trail while they carried that box proved a challenge. Honie ran, keeping pace with Mace. They‟d have to find somewhere to hide the weapons box. The unwieldy weight of the crate slowed their progress and could leave a trail for another to follow. Mace slowed and then stopped as they came to a small stream cutting a narrow path through the foliage. His head turned slowly as he surveyed the area, looking for

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any threat, any movement. Finally, he looked back at her. She watched alertly, her body in a slight crouch. “Do you have everything you want out of here?” Mace wiggled the box. Honie frowned as she thought about it. “No, I want the traser rifle.” They lowered the box to the ground. Honie knelt beside the box and with practiced movements opened and quickly found the weapon she wanted. She pulled the black, long-range traser rifle from the locker and then closed the lid. She secured the rifle to the side of her pack and then stood, waiting. “I‟m going to climb this tree.” Mace indicated the large, leafy tree to his right. “When I get onto a secure branch, lift the locker up to me. We‟ll stash this here and then move.” Honie‟s brown eyes swung to the tree and then back to him. She nodded. Mace leapt to the lowest branch. He widened his stance a little and then crouched on the wide limb. Honie lifted the locker, raising it above her head. Mace grabbed one of the handles and stood as he took it from her hands. As he looked down at her a rush of anger and determination boiled within him. An unknown enemy searched for them. Those men probably wanted them dead. His eyes narrowed. The men wouldn‟t get near her. Nothing would take her from him. Not now. For years, he‟d thought her dead. He had so much to make up to his woman but he‟d work until she forgave him. Mace lifted the box, balancing it on a limb as he climbed a little higher. He worked his way up the tree until he was certain the box couldn‟t be seen from the ground. He secured it to the thick, sturdy trunk. After tightening the last tie, he dropped onto the branch below him. With sure footing, he skimmed over the branches, jumping from the lowest limb to land beside Honie.

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Honie shook her head. Showoff. He was practically flexing and posing to get her attention. She wasn‟t about to tell him that there wasn‟t any need. He could simply stand there breathing and she‟d find him sexy. The sound of an explosion ripped through the silence. She tensed, whipping around and dropping into a low defensive crouch. Her heart slammed in her chest and then began to race as adrenaline pumped through her system. Birds took to the air screeching in alarm, sending leaves raining down from the treetops. Near them the underbrush rippled as a small animal scrambled to get to its burrow. Then everything became eerily quiet. She couldn‟t even hear the sound of any insects. “Come on.” Mace grabbed her hand and pulled her up from her crouch. They ran deeper into the forest. As she followed just behind him, Honie caught the first faint traces of smoke on the breeze. She didn‟t need to go back to the clearing to know what had exploded. The men who‟d been lying in wait for them had destroyed the ship. We could both very easily have been on the ship when it exploded, Honie realized, a chill crawling down her spine. Although she was still angry with Mace the thought of losing him now sent a spike of pain through her. Her jaw clenched. No one was going to take that man away from her again. There wasn‟t room for her to run at his side. When she finally stopped, her chest heaved as she drew in a gasping breath. She hadn‟t been on any planet long enough in the past months to go on lengthy runs. “We‟re going to find somewhere to stash our packs and then we‟re going hunting.” Mace looked back over his shoulder, his eyes solemn as they watched her. Honie just nodded but something must have given away her surprise at his words, because his eyes narrowed and his mouth twisted into a wry grimace. “If there was even one other male with us, I‟d make sure you were somewhere safe and then I‟d go after these people. It‟s just you and me, so we do this together. I know

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that you wouldn‟t let me face them alone.” Mace took a deep breath as if to calm himself but when he looked up at her his jaw clenched. “No more than you‟d let me face them alone.” Honie tried to keep her lips in a straight line. Mace was in male protective mode and taunting him wouldn‟t help. She patted the stunner at her side. “I know how to use this. I can protect myself.” “I’ma, this isn‟t some bar fight.” Mace‟s hand slashed the air. “They‟ll be going for the kill and you can‟t hesitate to do the same.” “I know that.” Honie raised her hand and pointed at him. “I‟m not going to let anyone take you away from me. Whether I come to you or walk away, it‟s my decision. Until I decide that, you‟re mine and anyone who tries to hurt you will answer to me.” She pushed her finger against his chest, emphasizing her words. “If you get so much as a scratch on you…” Mace growled, obviously frustrated. “You just pay attention to what you‟re doing. I‟ll be safe.” Honie shook her head. “I don‟t want you getting yourself killed because you aren‟t focusing on the battle.” “I‟ll do that.” Mace nodded, a small smile kicking up the corner of his mouth. “You watch that nice ass out there. You‟re as much mine as I am yours.” Honie shook her head at him. “Doesn‟t work that way,” she taunted. “Let‟s go, Mace. We have things to do.” “I get the feeling that you just like to argue with me.” Mace tried to school his face into a stern frown but failed. His lips kept twitching up into a grin. “You‟ll know that you belong to me before the end of this mission, nari.”

They left their packs under a broad, squat leafy bush and then headed back toward the landing site. They remained in the cover of the forest, trying to find a trace of their attackers‟ presence. Using their sense of smell to track the enemy was impossible right now. Smoke from the fires still burning in the ship‟s debris overrode any lingering traces.

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Mace‟s hand on Honie‟s arm stopped her. She looked up at him and then her hand lowered to his. He signed for her to go to the left. She nodded and moved silently away from him. Mace clenched his fists, wanting to pull her back, to send her to safety. He hated that she was walking into a dangerous situation. Intellectually, he knew she could take care of herself. It wasn‟t his intellect giving him problems. Every instinct in him urged him to stop her, to shield her from harm. He crouched low and began moving in a wide circle to the right. He forced his mind away from Honie. Stopping, he looked at a shoe print. He didn‟t want to get too close to them, just close enough to get a clear shot at the men. Perimeter alarms likely surrounded the men‟s camp. When he found one of those, he‟d know he was near their camp. With care, he could weave a path through the alarms without setting off any of them. As he approached, he caught glimpses of the camp through the foliage. Three men gathered their weapons as they kept watch on the forest surrounding them. They definitely suspected that their quarry had escaped them. Mace edged closer to the camp, looking for a clear shot and cover from those in the camp. In spite of his care, a warning whoop sounded from one of the alarms. Shots flashed through the trees. The smell of burning wood carried on the breeze. Mace rolled, coming into a crouch, snapping his pistol up and squeezed the trigger three times. The rays sliced in a horizontal spray toward a dark-haired man crouching with a traser rifle at his shoulder. Mace slipped into the brush even as the man toppled onto his side. Shots sliced down from trees, scattering the two remaining men. Cursing, one of the men dived and rolled toward the cover of a tent, firing up into the leaves as he gained its shelter. A flare of fear rushed through Mace. His protective instincts rioted, demanding that he find Honie and get her to safety. He firmly suppressed those thoughts. Such a move could get them both killed. He focused on the two men in the camp. Crouching, he moved farther to the right. A beam

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of light flashed out of the leaves on the opposite side of the camp. One of the men crumpled to the ground. The lone man in the cleared area rolled from behind the tent to the cover of a crate, leveling a barrage of shots into the bushes. White beams rained from the tree above the bushes, slamming into the crate and pinning the man where he was. Mace smiled as he skulked soundlessly through the bushes. He had to admit she was good. Raising his weapon, he fired. The man dropped to the ground. Moving cautiously forward, Mace crept into the clearing. He checked the men on the ground, making certain that they were dead. Moving to the tents, he made sure they were empty. He looked over the camp. Three tents, three lightweight sleeping bags and no evidence of another man. He nodded. “It‟s clear, Honie.” Mace looked around the clearing. She swung out of one of the trees across the clearing. The traser rifle hung across her back and she‟d holstered her pistol. She looked wild. Her hair had come loose from the tie and flowed around her shoulders. There was a rip on the arm of her bodysuit. Anger and frustration mixed inside him. She should have never been in such a dangerous situation. Those men wouldn‟t have even thought a moment before killing her. Taking a deep breath, he forced his thoughts to what had to be done. They had to dispose of the bodies and clear away any trace that the men had been here. “I‟ll take care of the bodies, you gather their things and stash them,” Mace barked, moving toward the closest man.

Honie took a deep breath as she watched him walk away with one of the men slung over his shoulder. Just the sight of him was reassuring but she needed to touch him. Only skin-to-skin contact would satisfy her now. The sight of those beams flashing toward the bushes where she‟d once seen him had caused her gut to clench. She shuddered.

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She began collecting the packs, stuffing the loose items inside them. She collapsed the tents and folded them into cubes before stowing them in a pouch on the outside of the pack. Gathering two of the packs, she stalked into the forest to hide them. Finding a niche wide enough to stuff the packs and then make sure they wouldn‟t be dug out by animals took time. She trudged back toward the men‟s camp. There was still one pack and that crate to hide…somewhere. She shook her head. That crate was going to give her problems. It was simply too big to stuff in some little hole. “Honie?” Mace‟s voice rolled out of the shadows to her right. Impatience laced the menacing growl. The look on his face startled her. Intense, feral. This man had reached the end of his control. When she‟d seen him clear the dense foliage surrounding the camp, her heart had been in her throat. She‟d watched his every move, kept her traser rifle ready just in case there was another man waiting in ambush. “I still have the crate and one pack to hide.” Honie didn‟t move. The animal was much too close to the surface to risk a retreat. He‟d definitely chase. “I finished clearing the area for you.” Mace shook his head. “Come here.” She didn‟t hesitate. She leaped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face into the soft fabric of his shirt, inhaling. He smelled of forest and musky male. Each indrawn breath heightened her awareness, her need. All teasing, all hesitation had been burned away during that battle. She craved his heat, his urgency as proof that he‟d returned whole. She slipped her fingers into his shirt, pulling it apart, desperate to feel the heat of his skin beneath her lips. She needed him inside her. He seemed just as needy if not more. An irritated growl rolled through his chest as he pushed apart the top of her uniform only to have the seal stick just under her breasts. He pulled but it hugged her skin tightly.

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Catching his growing frustration, she moved her hands and undid the hidden catch that impeded his efforts to undress her. The seal opened down to her bare mons. Using her toes on the heels of her shoes, she stepped out of them even as he pushed the suit down past her hips. Gravity took over then and the material fell to the ground. She stepped out of it and pushed his shirt off his shoulders. The material fluttered to the ground as he backed her against the hard wide trunk of a tree. His hands slid up her waist and cupped her breasts, his fingers plucking at her hard nipples. She stretched up, gripping his shoulders and fastened her mouth to his. His lips opened and his tongue danced across hers. His wild, intoxicating taste flooded into her mouth. His hands slid down her body and cupped her buttocks, pulling her hips tight against his as he pressed against her. The soft cloth of his black pants rubbed against her skin, feeling rough as he thrust the hard ridge of his shaft into the soft mound of her pussy. She lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist and rocking into each grinding thrust. The ache deep inside her increased as his hips rubbed and stroked. A feeling of emptiness throbbed within her pussy. She needed his cock inside her. When his hands returned to her breasts, she slipped her hand between their bodies to try to unfasten his pants. “Goddess, I need you, Mace.” Honie‟s fingers fumbled over the seal on his pants. His large hand pushed hers aside and dealt with the recalcitrant fastening. “I could have lost you so easily, i’ma.” She pushed the fabric wide, grasping his rigid shaft and stroking him. Her breasts ached and she could feel the cream on her thighs. “Please…” “I need this as much as you do, nari.” His lips brushed across her cheek. He lifted her, pressing her back against the tree.

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Her arms circled his neck, holding on as she raised her legs to his waist. He guided his cock to her slick slit. The head probed and entered. She drew in a quick hissing breath as her nerve endings rioted with sensation. Her muscles stretched around him, gripping, accepting him. The fever took control of both of them. His hips pistoned against hers, pressing her against the slightly abrasive bark of the tree. She nipped his shoulder sharply and he drove hard into her. His pelvis ground against her clit and a sharp thrill shot through her, driving her closer to the edge, drawing her body taut. “No more distance,” he grated, his lips moving down her neck. His teeth grazed the scar of her mating mark, once, twice. “Mine.” His cock drove deep into her. Honie keened softly as pure pleasure stabbed through her at the feel of those sharp points on the scar. Each thrust brought his pelvis into contact with the hood of her clit. Every time he drew in a deep rasping breath, his chest grazed across the pebbled tips of her nipples. “My woman,” he growled. His hands tightened, pulling her closer. “Gods, yes.” Honie arched into him. She came, swept up as hot sensation rushed through her. Light flashed behind her closed lids. Rippling pleasure rolled through her body. Mace tensed, his shaft pressing deep as he came, his semen spurting into her.

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Chapter Five Gradually, Honie became aware of the rough bark of the tree biting into the skin of her back. She drew her fingers across the sweat-slick surface of Mace‟s shoulder as she tried to catch her breath. His cheek pressed against the top of her head. “Um, Mace, this tree…” She ran her hands over his muscled chest and then up to thread her fingers into his thick golden hair. She tugged and his head rose. Smiling, she noticed the unfocused, cloudy look in those gray eyes. “The tree,” he mumbled, but gradually sharp focus returned to his eyes. She chuckled. “Yes, the tree, it‟s scraping my back.” “Ah…” He lifted her away from the tree and set her on her feet before turning her around. His hands brushed the dust and bits of bark off her. “No scratches or rash.” “Probably just lucky there. We weren‟t paying too much attention to what was around us or what we touched.” She turned and trailed her fingers along the hard line of his jaw. She knelt and picked up her bodysuit, shaking it out, not wanting to surprise any small critter that had decided to shelter in her clothes. Sliding her legs into the fabric, she pulled it to her waist. She slipped her arms into the sleeves. Straightening the bunched fabric, she pulled the material tight before going to work on the seal. She knelt and pulled on her shoes. When she stood, Mace was waiting for her. He held out his hand and she slipped her palm into his. His fingers closed around her hand in a light but firm grip. Honie had no objections. She needed the contact. In spite of their recent lovemaking, fear that she could have lost him still bubbled through her. Just by the look in his eyes, she knew he felt much the same. “Honie, these probably won‟t be the last men we‟ll face.” Mace tugged her body close as he began to lead her back to where they‟d stashed their packs. 50

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“I know that. Even if the collector hired only a small band to protect his finds, there would be more than three.” She kept pace with him easily as he‟d shortened his stride. Did he honestly think that she didn‟t realize they‟d have to fight their way to that damn site? The whole journey would be risky but there wasn‟t really a choice. Whoever was on the planet knew they were here and would come looking. “We‟ll have to keep watch for them as we travel toward the collector‟s building.”

***** Honie slanted a glance across at Mace. He lounged on a mat a mere arm‟s length away from her, seemingly at ease. Before they‟d made camp, he‟d thoroughly scouted the area. He hadn‟t sighted any scouts or sign that anyone had followed them. They were safe for tonight. Honie wasn‟t surprised that no one was in the area. The collector‟s artifacts had been stashed in a site to the southeast. They‟d hiked to the west until there was barely enough light to make camp. They‟d made a cold camp and now only a compact gellamp lit the small area they‟d cleared. Mace had raised only one tent but she wasn‟t going to object about that. While they‟d been fighting and even before, things had been so simple, so clear. Mace was her mate and she wasn‟t going to let anyone hurt him. Now she had time to think. She wanted to be with him but things were far from settled. In truth, she knew very little about him, his life. Then there was the big worry. Honie didn‟t know if she could learn to trust him again. “You look very serious, nari.” Mace leaned back on his arms, his legs stretched out in front of him. “Tell me about your thent.” She sat forward, bracing her arms on her folded legs. “It‟s your thent as well.” He frowned as he straightened. “It‟s been your thent since I first caught your scent when the guards brought you into the holding area of that prison.”

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“I was never really a part of it. I was left behind when you escaped Nachul, remember?” She narrowed her eyes and could feel her anger rising at just the thought of that place. She hadn‟t meant to throw that accusation at him. It had just come out. “Keep pushing that.” His jaw clenched and she saw his hands fist for a moment. “It‟s not going to make a difference in the final outcome of this. We both know that you‟re going to be coming back to the Mishal shortly after the mission ends.” His hand slashed through the air as if his word decided the matter. “I might just decide I‟m better off alone.” She raised her chin and turned to stare at the blue, yellow and purple flowers dotting the tanara bushes growing nearby. Inhaling the flowers‟ sweet scent, she focused on relaxing her muscles. When she turned back, Mace was staring hard at her. Leaning forward, he bared his teeth in a fierce smile as he saw her eyes widen. His hands were open, not fisted, she noticed. He was still angry, aggressive but he had it under control. A change of subject was in order. “You‟re not ready to accept the truth just yet.” He sighed and shook his head. “About the thent, it‟s one of those recently formed when others became overcrowded. The Ardin had just decided on a planet to be our home when we got word that some artifacts had been found.” “So why did the Mishal come to the rendezvous?” She readily grasped the new gambit, determined to keep it out of areas that would cause an argument. There was too much she needed to know to get sidetracked right now. “We were the closest Santir ship to the meeting point.” He shrugged and smiled. “A very lucky thing. I can just imagine the trouble you‟d be giving some other male at this point.” “And the Ardin, how will they handle Lilia‟s betrayal?” Honie tilted her head and watched him through her lashes. Everything she knew of those two men had been gleaned from the videos. Even when she‟d been poring over that footage, she‟d known that they‟d been acting, showing their captors very little of their true behavior. 52

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“Although they could demand some form of corporal punishment for it, I doubt that they‟ll do it. They have an uncanny ability to make their victims squirm.” He smiled and raised his hand to her. “Come over here.” “I want to talk about this and you.” She hesitated but rose easily to her feet. Walking over to him, she sank down beside him, leaning into him when his arm curved around her waist. “What do you mean make their victims squirm? What will they do?” “We‟ll talk. I just want you close.” He lifted his hand and brushed his thumb across her trika. “In Lilia‟s case, they‟ll probably take what she values most away from her.” “All right, you can‟t just tell me something like this and not give examples.” She shook her head at him. “You say they‟re so crafty. What have they done?” “No, I‟m not telling you. I have a feeling you‟re going to find this one out on your own.” His breath feathered through her hair. He nuzzled, inhaling, before he tipped her head back and dropped a kiss on her forehead. She pushed him back before he could deepen it. “Were you born into the same thent as Ardin Lukas or Ardin Torr?” She drew her finger along his thigh. “No, I met them when they trained with the Ardin of the thent I was born into.” His hand drifted down to the swell of her breasts. “So how did you come to be with this thent and not at the one where you were born?” She tilted her head. “I was born into one of the overcrowded thents. I knew I‟d probably leave it most of my life. I came to respect them during their time at my thent and I liked them. When they offered me a position, I took it.” He picked her up and moved her to his lap. “What about your family?” Honie slipped her fingers underneath the edge of his shirt. Family was an important part of shifter life. “They were happy for me.” He smiled. “My youngest brother will be joining this thent. His antics had gotten out of control and my parents contacted the Ardin. They agreed to take the wild cub.”

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Honie turned serious as she suddenly thought about the transmission they‟d missed today. “Mace, how long will it be before Ardin Lukas and Ardin Torr become worried?” “They‟ll start with the formalities by tomorrow and probably have permission to come here within two days.” He smiled. “I doubt we‟ll reach the collector‟s stronghold before they get here.” “Especially with the new course we mapped out earlier.” Honie nodded. Their path should take them around most of the trouble. She leaned close and her tongue danced across his neck just below his earlobe. “Hopefully, it will keep us clear of most of the traps they‟ll set.” Mace‟s hand smoothed over her stomach, the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric of her suit. “We need to get some sleep, nari. We have some long days ahead of us.” Honie walked to the tent while Mace turned off the lamp. Undressing quickly, she put on a loose shirt. She crawled into bed and turned onto her side. Mace stepped into the tent only a few moments later and lay beside her. She wriggled back, wanting to feel his body even if they did need to sleep. He stiffened and drew in a harsh breath. His hand settled just below her breasts. It felt so right to have him holding her as she went to sleep. She smiled and closed her eyes. The feel of his fingers wandering down her stomach drew her attention. Her eyes popped open and she reached for his hand. She wasn‟t in time. He cupped her pussy. She drew in a shuddering breath. His finger pressed between the folds. She wriggled, trying to move back from that teasing finger. They both needed to rest even if he did seem to have forgotten it. She grabbed his hand, but couldn‟t budge it. “We should sleep. You said it, remember.” She bit her lip and was just glad that he wasn‟t facing her. She‟d never be able to lie and say it was just physical arousal. She wanted to fuck, but she also wanted to sit beside him, talk to him and be with him. It had been more than physical the first time he‟d kissed her on the ship.

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“I could never keep my hands off you. It‟s even more intense now. I don‟t know how you do it.” His teeth grazed her neck and he pressed nibbling kisses along her throat. “Maybe you just have no control.” She grinned. It couldn‟t be her. She didn‟t do anything special. It had to be something about him, because he had the same effect on her. He laughed. His hands pulled and tugged on her shirt. She gave a little thought to being obstructive, but threw the thought away almost immediately. She wanted him. Her hands brushed his as she tried to pull up the shirt. Their hands got tangled, but in a moment the shirt was off. He cupped her breast, plucking at the taut nipple. She gasped as a zing shot straight to her core. The muscles in her pussy clenched and she felt moisture on her thighs. She pushed back against him. She felt his cock against her buttocks. Anticipation sent her shivers over her skin. She licked her lips. What was he waiting for? His tongue swirled over her shoulder. He licked the spot where he‟d marked her. She shivered. How was it that one area was so sensitive? She could feel that slow swipe all the way down to her toes. He lifted her leg. She hooked it over his thigh, unwilling to wait any longer. He was taking too long. She reached back and drew her fingers up his thigh. “Are you going to fuck me or should I try to get some sleep? It‟s going to be a long day tomorrow.” She exhaled, feeling frustrated. He‟d made her burn and now he seemed to be hesitating. He pushed her forward a little. “Don‟t close your eyes just yet.” His fingers glided down her stomach, circling the indention of her navel. She shivered. Just a little lower. She willed his hand to move. His hand didn‟t move, but his cock nudged against her folds before slipping inside her. She bit her lip as he slid deep. Her muscles clenched and she knew she was only breaths away from exploding. She drew in a shivering breath. He rocked into her. She pushed back against him. 55

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His hand slipped between her thighs. She reached back and slid her hand over his leg, trying to pull him to her. His fingers pressed against her clit as his hip rolled forward. His breath puffed over her ear, the harsh sound echoing hers. The pressure kept building and the intensity was almost frightening. She pushed back against him, desperate to reach the peak. It remained just out of her grasp until he thrust forward as his fingers stroked her clit. The aching tight sensation grew and exploded, sending waves of fiery pleasure raining over her body. She shivered and gripped his arm. He continued to drive into her. He stiffened and she felt the tremors shake him. She felt sated and secure, so happy she was almost purring, but she just had to tease him a little. “Ready to go to sleep now?” He nipped her ear. “No, but we need to. Now lie there and close your eyes.”

***** Honie glanced over at Mace. They‟d been walking through the forest for over ten days. Still more than four days away from the site, they hadn‟t seen any sign of the mercs. Each day, they scouted ahead in tiron form, looking for traps or any indication that their trail had been found. Today, it was her turn. She folded her clothes and stuffed them into her backpack. “I‟ll be waiting for you at our meeting point. Be on time.” Mace took her pack and his blue eyes burned with intensity as he lectured her. She knew he hated that she was even in this situation, much less actively participating in the reconnaissance and battle. “I‟ll be there, Mace. Have dinner ready.” “If you see anyone, take no chances.” His hand sliced through the air and his expression almost dared her to argue with him. “I‟ll be careful but they won‟t be looking for a tiron. I promise they won‟t see me, naro.” She reached over and stroked her hand across his cheek, smoothing over the lines of his fierce frown.

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“See that they don‟t.” He nodded, showing his alpha tendencies. “And don‟t get hurt.” She changed forms before he could begin to list any more of his demands. Her skin prickled as reddish-brown hair erupted from her pores. Her body changed into the large feline body of a tiron. Her face lengthened and widened as her muzzle formed, her hands and feet morphed into large claw-tipped paws. Once she‟d fully transformed, she paced over to Mace and rubbed against his legs, inhaling his scent before bounding into the forest. Honie moved along the forest paths. Sometimes she would take to the trees, using the interconnecting network of limbs, very aware of everything around her. With each breath, she tested the scents of the forest, searching for sign of their enemy. Her ears swiveled, catching every sound. She was able to cover much more ground in tiron form than she could as a human. She could move faster, the soft pads of her paws making little sound as she ran through the trees. When the birds suddenly stopped calling and the small animals scattered for their dens, she stopped. Crouching low to the limb, she crawled forward, turning her head to try to see what had disturbed them. The crunching of forest debris beneath hard-soled boots drew her attention to the right. Her quarry remained unseen, hidden by trees and thick, leafy bushes. She leapt from the branch, landing near the base of a purple-leafed shrub. She crawled beneath the draping branches, creeping slowly toward the rhythmic noise. Her nostrils filled with the pungent smell of fertile soil and decaying flora. Small insects crawled up a nearby branch. Concealed beneath the thick foliage, she slid soundlessly through the leaf litter beneath the bush. Tiny beams of light streamed through miniscule breaks in the dark waxy purple leaves. When a dark shape suddenly blocked that light, she knew that whatever had disturbed the animals had ventured close to her hiding place. She stopped, remaining 57

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totally motionless. The slight breeze stirring through the forest blew in the wrong direction. She had no idea what was beyond those leaves. The darkness blocking the light moved away from the bush. Twigs snapped with every step he took away from her. Pushing herself a little closer to the leaves in front of her, she strained to find a gap she could see through without giving away her presence. Beyond the bushes, men rigged sensors in discreet locations. Her eyes narrowed as she mentally crossed this route off the list. They would have to find another path to the collector‟s site. Now that they were just days away from the building, the chance of encountering sensors and various traps grew. They also ran the risk of discovery by scouting mercs. She backed away from small gap she‟d been peeking through and carefully turned around beneath the bush. Edging forward to make sure no one had managed to get behind her, she slipped out of her hiding place. With a relieved sigh, she leapt into a nearby tree intent on leaving the area. Traveling along the network of limbs, she made her way toward the meeting point. Mace would definitely start growling if she was late. The man didn‟t like having her out sight, much less involved in risky reconnaissance. The breeze carried his scent to her as she approached the area. As always, his scent shot through her. She could feel desire stirring even as the subtler tones on the wind became clear. She caught the slight tang of worry lacing his scent. As she crept closer, she heard the faint scuff of his shoes. He was moving. She rolled her eyes, probably pacing. Gliding along the last branch, she padded forward until she could just see him. He stopped suddenly, tilting his head to the side. She could almost see the tension flow out of his body. She smiled. He‟d sensed her presence, finally. She‟d been close enough for him to feel her since she‟d first encountered his scent. “Stop stalling, Honie. I‟ve been waiting for too long to play games with you.” Mace‟s eyes scanned the trees near where she waited.

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A soughing purr escaped her even as she rose to her feet. Maybe this wasn‟t exactly the time or the situation for humor but she certainly felt it. That long-suffering expression on his face and the aggrieved tone just struck her as funny. “Did you find anything?” He leveled a quelling glare at her as he dug her clothing out of her backpack. “Your sense of humor is distinctly skewed, i’ma.” Honie shifted into her human form. “The mercs were setting up sensors and traps along the easiest of the paths we‟d noted. No activity on the others.” “They didn‟t spot you?” His hand rested on his hip and he raised an eyebrow at her. “They didn‟t even see a whisker.” She bared her teeth at him. “Don‟t growl at me. I can more than take care of myself.” “I don‟t like you anywhere near this situation. If I thought you‟d stay, I‟d stash you somewhere safe.” Mace‟s stiff posture screamed disapproval. She knew he only wanted to keep her safe. “Not while it‟s just you and me. When help arrives, I‟ll stay away from the action.” She pointed a finger at him and lifted her chin. “You‟re not doing this alone.” He took a deep breath. “Get dressed, woman.” He growled and lifted his pack. “We‟ve got enough light that we can keep traveling.” She knew a bid to change the subject when she heard one. There wasn‟t any need to push the issue. She could see the acceptance of fact on his face. He knew she would be fighting at his side until the other Santir arrived. He may be overprotective but he did know that this wasn‟t something she‟d let him do alone. Smiling, Honie kept any more avowals to herself. He was already stiff and suffering through some sort of guilt because he couldn‟t keep her entirely away from danger. She wanted to give him a chance to calm down. Her plans for tonight didn‟t include an argument and a cold shoulder.

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Chapter Six They‟d set up camp well away from any trail. As they had every night since they‟d been stranded on this planet, they ringed the campsite with tiny alarm devices. Only after they‟d thoroughly scouted the area, making certain that they‟d be safe for the night, had they set up camp. They hadn‟t found any sign that the mercs had ever been in this area. Mace had his back to her. He felt Honie‟s eyes traveling across his bare back. He‟d seen the speculative look in her eyes and knew she was planning something tonight. He looked over his shoulder and smiled as he saw her watching. Slowly moving to face her, he offered her an unobstructed view of his front. He‟d stripped off his clothes as soon as he‟d entered the tent. She‟d taken a bit more time to shed hers as she‟d watched his every move. He‟d certainly enjoyed the attention. He could smell the light luscious scent of her rising arousal. He walked slowly to their pallet but he‟d never felt more like strutting and posing than he did with her eyes devouring him. With suddenly awkward fingers, he turned off the tiny lamp sitting to the side of the bedding. He stretched out on his side, facing her. “Turn onto your stomach, Mace.” She pulled on his shoulder, urging him to do as she wanted. “What are you up to, rah’ki?” He hid his smile as he turned onto his stomach. She‟d just confirmed his suspicions. She wanted to play tonight. “Can‟t I just want to help you relax tonight?” She smoothed her hands up his back, caressing more than massaging. In one quick move, she straddled him. “Well, you could but I saw your expression before I turned out the light. Your face held more anticipation than a soldier who‟s just been given leave after years on duty.” Mace‟s voice was slightly muffled as he pillowed his head on his arms. 60

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“Maybe I missed you.” Honie leaned down and licked his shoulder. He felt her smile against his back as he tensed. “You missed me after a few hours‟ absence, yet I didn‟t get even an „it‟s good to see you again‟ when I stepped on board the cruiser. In fact, you were openly hostile.” Mace shifted his shoulders as she began to massage his tense neck muscles. “I was furious.” Honie‟s hands stopped. “For so long, I‟ve blamed you for leaving me in that…place. And suddenly, that anger had a very real focus.” Mace looked over his shoulder and saw her grimace. He‟d known bringing the subject up was chancy but he wanted to know how she felt now. “I‟ve made you serious.” He smiled as she saw him watching her. “Get back to work, woman.” She smiled and nodded. Her hands moved to his shoulders, kneading the taut tissue. Her fingers smoothed and stroked steadily until he relaxed. A soft sigh left him as he enjoyed the feel of her hands. He felt Honie‟s warm, smooth body press against his back as she leaned forward. Her hot breath feathered over his ear a moment before her tongue traced the edges. “Don‟t go to sleep yet, naro. I have plans for you,” she whispered. “Do you?” Mace looked over his shoulder and raised a brow. He was more than willing to participate in any of her plans. “I get to be on top,” she whispered. Her teeth closed on his ear, just hard enough to be felt. Wild little cat. He tensed, drawing in a sharp breath. “Keep pushing and I‟ll be on top tonight.” He felt obligated to tell her that she was playing close to the edge. She moved off his back, laughing softly. “Turn over. I want to play.” “Play as you want. Just remember that two play this game. If you torture me, I‟ll tease you until you beg for me.” He rolled onto his back. His fingers trailed up her arm, enjoying the shiver that coursed through her entire body.

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“That‟s fun too but not tonight.” Honie leaned over and traced her tongue around the flat brown disk in front of her. She licked again sending a sharp thrill through him when her teeth nipped lightly on the hard bead of his nipple. He groaned, seeing that he was in for a delicious night of torture. She kissed her way down his chest. Her soft lips brushed lightly over his skin. Her tongue flicked out, painting a branding path down his abdomen. Occasionally, she nipped, her sharp little teeth finding sensitive spots as she followed a meandering trail down his body. Her tongue swirled around his navel as her hand skimmed over his thigh. He tensed and gritted his teeth. She was driving him insane with those light nips and kisses, not to mention her wandering hand. When her fingers found his cock, he cursed silently, fighting the need to grab her and pull her on top of him. He tightened his hands into fists to resist that urge. He wanted her to have this night but he knew he couldn‟t hold out long. Her thumb circled the head of his cock, smoothing a bead of pre-cum into the skin. Her fingers left a burning trail as they slid slowly downward. His hips flexed, lifting into her touch. Her hand left his shaft, slipping lower to cup his balls. He drew in a sharp breath as she began squeezing and fondling. The aching sting of need exploded. Raw, unfettered desire raged, hardening his body and driving all thought from his mind. “Honie…now. I want to be inside you when I come.” Mace slipped his hand beneath the fall of her hair, cupping the back of her neck. A wicked smile curved her lips as she looked up at him. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischief. With a slow swipe of her tongue she wet her lips. She looked at his cock and then back up at him. “Come inside me. That‟s such a broad wish.” She tried to move down his body but his hand on her neck tightened just a bit. 62

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“Then let me make it specific.” He bared his teeth, struggling to keep control. “I want to slide my cock into your pussy and I want to ride you until we‟re both exhausted and satisfied.” She shook her head. “If anyone‟s going to do the riding tonight, it‟s me.” Her mouth firmed into a determined frown. She looked adorable and sexy. “Then you‟d better get to it, rah’ki.” He raised his brows but didn‟t release her neck. She could be an obstinate minx at times and his control was almost gone. She crawled up and straddled his hips. Kneeling over him, she positioned the head of his shaft at her slick entrance and slowly lowered onto him. Her flesh closed around him, wet and hot. Her head fell back and she shivered. A low groan tore from Mace‟s throat as her inner muscles contracted, squeezing. He tugged her down and brushed his lips across hers. Their mouths fused and their tongues tangled. “Come with…me.” Mace forced the words out against her cheek as she slowly rocked her hips against his. “Show me your pleasure.” Honie straightened. She slipped her hand down to where they were joined. Her fingers stroked, flicking over her clit. Her breath hitched and her hips jerked against his. A groan ripped through her body as her fingers moved across her clit. Her breasts bobbed as her movements quickened. He lifted his hands. His fingers danced across her midriff and up to the undersides of her breasts. He tugged and pinched her hard red nipples. She looked so sexy. Her face was tinged with red. She moved over him, her eyes unfocused, hazy with passion. Soft mewls escaped her lips. Her hips ground against his. He thrust up into her wet heat. The need to come burned through him, tightening every muscle. He held back, wanting to come with her. His hands slipped down to her hips. He felt the first tremors of her inner muscles. She leaned forward, her hands on his chest. Her fingers sank into his shoulders. Her

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body shook and she rotated her hips against his as the passion burst inside her. She cried out. Mace arched against her. His hips pumped up and his hands moved her over him. Fire raced up his spine and light exploded behind his eyes. He came, his seed flowing into her. The pleasure seemed to last forever and when it finally faded he was left trembling.

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Chapter Seven Mace crept through the forest. They were two days out from the site. The risks rose with every step they took toward that building. Each day, they had to make their way around more patrols and avoid or deactivate an increasing number of traps. He‟d been scouting ahead, making sure the trail was clear. Finishing this foray, he‟d turned to rejoin Honie. He stepped forward and felt the earth shift just beneath his left foot. Just barely, he heard a faint snick. Oh, fuck! He stood perfectly still. That tiny sound told him exactly what kind of trap he‟d just armed. Most of the military groups used stunner mines. The blast rendered the unwary unconscious usually for days. But not this mine. The type he‟d stumbled onto was an updated version of an archaic mine. Part blaster, part fragment explosive, the mine could maim and sometimes kill. Even with shifter speed and agility, he would, at the very least, get hurt. The loud noise from the blast would draw the enemy there as well as bringing Honie. She wouldn‟t hesitate to come if she thought there was a chance that he‟d survived. Not daring to test the mine‟s sensitivity, he tried to think of a way to deactivate it by himself. Virtually any move he made would mean a shift of his weight which could trigger the mine. He didn‟t want Honie anywhere near this. If he didn‟t meet her, she would come after him. She‟d done it before. The woman showed a fierce protectiveness and a distinct possessiveness at times. Most of the time, he loved that about her. When they were facing danger, it drove him almost insane. He didn‟t know how long he‟d been standing there when he heard the soft sound of a footfall. He knew that it probably wasn‟t one of the mercs. It was from the wrong direction. They tended to rove in groups and made more noise when they moved than that. 65

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“Why are you just standing there?” He couldn‟t see her even though the low-voiced whisper came from in front of him. His eyes narrowed as he struggled to make out even a hint of her shape. She must be in one of the trees. “A mine.” He grated the words. Embarrassed that he‟d been so careless and conflicted because he needed her help, he still didn‟t want her anywhere near the danger. He frowned fiercely. “Give me a little time and I‟ll think of a way to get off this.” “I‟m going to help you deactivate it, just like we did the others.” She dropped out of the tree onto the path. “No, this one has been activated! It‟s more likely to go off if you touch it,” he growled, wanting to be able to make her go to safety, to get her out of this whole situation. Honie‟s head lifted sharply and her eyes narrowed into little brown slits. “You listen to me, Mace Fallin. I‟m not going anywhere. Nothing is going to happen to you.” “It‟s too dangerous.” He shook his head. The thought of her getting hurt sent a lance of fear through him. He felt a tightness in his chest and clenched his fists. “I‟ve already lost you once. It‟s not going to happen again.” She drew in a deep breath. “If you die, I die. It‟s that simple. So you‟d better get it right.” “Damn stubborn cat.” Mace looked down at her. Determination was etched on her face. She wasn‟t going anywhere. “You know I was thinking of you when I stepped on this thing.” “You knew from the start that I wasn‟t a timid woman.” Honie smiled and shrugged out of her pack. “You can go into all of the male guilt, the „if I didn‟t have to worry about you‟ garbage later.” “I would already be at the building if I didn‟t have to coddle and care for you.” Nervous energy boiled within him. If he could, he‟d be pacing. All he could think about were the dangers in trying to deactivate a mine once it was armed.

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“Later.” A growl rumbled through her, a clear sign of her rising temper. “Now tell me what to do.” Mace looked down and his eyes clashed with hers and locked. For a time, they simply stared at each other. “You‟ll have to start digging wide. The mine isn‟t very big but you don‟t want to chance putting any pressure on the top of it.” He finally relented. Honie nodded and carefully began digging with a small knife from her pack. She dug well beyond where the mine would be. “You want to approach the mine from the side. There‟s a small panel at the side. You saw it on the others. You‟re going to have to open this one.” He kept his eyes on her every move. His mouth was dry and he could see the tremors in his hand. She was his life, everything that mattered. Right now she was a mere breath away from an explosive. Bending over it, her torso was exposed. If it went off, she‟d probably die. “Honie, be careful.” Mace swallowed as she slowly cleared the earth away from one side of the mine. “I‟ve already told you that you‟re not leaving me, in any way.” She stopped and looked up at him. “What next?” “You should find a removable plate on the side, put there in case of accidental activation.” He concentrated on the details but also kept his attention on the noises of the forest around them. Although there was a possibility of the mine being set off remotely, he was more worried that a roving patrol might spot them. Even if they managed to get away from the patrol, discovery would be a disaster. Right now, the mercs couldn‟t be sure how many people had survived the explosion of the ship. The lack of contact from those sent to destroy the ship would have alerted them that someone had survived. Honie placed the plate to the side and looked up at him.

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“Connect the comp‟s attachments to the wires on the mine, just as we did when we checked the other mines. That should bring up a screen on the comp.” He watched her hands move. Her touch was very light, very exact. She took a deep breath after securing the sensor. “Two options—data input or frequency sequence.” One at a time, she wiped her palms on the pants on her bodysuit. “Start the sequence and step back.” Mace knew that in only moments it would find the frequencies and gain access to the mine‟s controls. He just didn‟t want her placing herself in any more danger than she already had. “How many times do we have to argue about this?” She rolled her eyes. “No, I‟m not walking a safe distance away and leaving you in danger.” He growled. “I want you safe.” “Leaving you won‟t ensure I‟m safe.” She looked up at him. For a moment, Mace could see everything that she felt. Anger, determination, frustration, fear and love. All of those emotions flew across her face. He took a deep breath, shaken at the depth of feeling in those brown eyes. “The sequence is finished. We have access.” She looked down at the small comp. “Deactivate the mine so we can get out of here.” He saw that she was already working on the command. “You can move now.” She looked up at him. Her eyes narrowed and a frown curled her lips. “I left your pack concealed in some bushes at the side of the trail. Why don‟t you go get it while I hide the fact that we were here?” That clipped tone and the way that she immediately turned her attention to the task of shoving dirt into the hole she‟d created clearly revealed her mood. She scattered leaves and twigs over the ground to disguise the darker moist dirt. She was angry. That much was clear. He turned to go find his pack. It would probably take a while. Bushes lined the patchy game trail.

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He‟d just found his pack when she appeared beside him. Her jaw was set at a mutinous angle and she glanced at him for only a moment before staring straight ahead. Without waiting for him to shrug into his pack, she stalked away, moving down the path on silent feet. “Honie…wait!” Mace hurried to catch up to her. “We have time to make up because of this.” She quickened her pace. “You‟re angry.” He exhaled heavily. “I didn‟t want you near the danger, hurt in the slightest way.” She sniffed loudly, not slowing. “We have to get to that battle which won‟t start without us.” Fury and sarcasm dripped from her words. Although she moved at a near-run, the exercise hadn‟t burned away any of her emotion. From the way her jaw was clenched, he knew she wanted to yell at him, only the possibility of a nearby enemy stilled her tongue. He grasped her arm, pulling her to a stop. She whirled on him. Her hand hit his wrist, knocking his hand off her arm. “Don‟t touch me,” she hissed, baring her teeth, showing the two sharp, descended canines. “Don‟t talk to me. Don‟t touch me.” He knew he could have pressed her, made her listen then but he was still raw from that experience too. They both needed time and distance from the anger. He let her lead the way off the game trail, taking a winding path toward the collector‟s building. The rest of the day she didn‟t say a word. The pace she set was far faster than any he‟d kept in the days before. She stopped only when he asked and for a few moments. The sun had set and only a sliver of a moon lit their path when he finally demanded she stop. Scouting in the dark, they found a secure, secluded location to make camp.

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Mace‟s anger and frustration had faded on that march. Her temper still burned, didn‟t seem to have lessened even slightly. He watched as instead of connecting the two sleeping bags, she placed hers as far away from his as possible. “Put them together.” He took a deep breath to calm the immediate urge to snarl. “We may be arguing but I‟m not going to let you start pretending that we‟re not mates.” “Is that what you call it? Arguing?” She didn‟t move, just looked at him. With her arms crossed and the jut of her chin, he could see that she wanted to distance herself. “You know that Santir protective instincts are strong.” He pointedly looked at the one pallet in the center of the tent. “You knowingly placed yourself in danger.” “Oh, so no one‟s supposed to hurt me…except you.” She raised her chin. “I knew you didn‟t want me there. I know you don‟t like the fact that I have to be part of the battle. You didn‟t have to strike out at me.” His mouth opened, a denial on the tip of his tongue. Then he remembered those words spoken in a rush of fear and anger. He winced. She should have just hit him the moment the mine was deactivated. He‟d certainly have deserved it. “I shouldn‟t have said that.” He looked over at her. She was kneeling beside her bag. “It wasn‟t true.” He struggled to find the words to explain. “I hate feeling helpless and it was twofold in that situation. I couldn‟t keep you from risking your life.” “You wouldn‟t have said it if it wasn‟t a little of what you really feel.” The words held heat but he saw her body relaxing, tension leaving his shoulders. “Don‟t tell me what I feel!” he snapped, and instantly regretted it. “You know that this situation stirs my protective instincts and ignoring them isn‟t easy. I‟m sorry for saying things that hurt you.” She blinked, clearly surprised at the apology. “I love you even when you‟re a tamaurg.” A small smile kicked up the corner of her mouth. Her eyes held his for a few moments and then she nodded. She moved her bag next to his and joined them together. Her anger was far from gone. She slid beneath the light

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covers and over as far as she could. Only when she‟d fallen asleep did she turn and close the distance between them.

***** Honie stared at the large, windowless brown building in front of her. She crouched low behind thick, broad-leafed bushes, completely concealed by the thick foliage and the dark night. Her traser rifle was a heavy reassuring weight in her hand. She waited for the sentry‟s patrol to pass by her. Very little light filtered through the trees, making the interior of the forest almost pitch black, but she had no problem seeing. The bright hues of the leaves and the flowers appeared dull and gray in the darkness. In the cleared area surrounding the warehouse-sized building, large lights on tall stands dispelled any shadows. Those lights gave the men a sense of safety in their exposed camp on one side of building. Those bright lamps dispelled any shadows. The five large taupe tents had been spread in an arc in front of the building‟s entrance. Of the ten men in camp, only two remained awake during the night. She smiled. She and Mace had scouted this area thoroughly. The men relied on the lights during the night. At the slightest flicker, they ran for their generators that provided the backup power. They had night vision gear. It was kept in a crate pushed up against the building. At the moment, the top of the crate was littered with bottles and small boxes. Anyone going after them would be an easy target. Mace and Honie intended to capitalize on the mercs‟ overconfidence in the brightly lit perimeter. Those lights wouldn‟t keep them safe. And the men‟s reaction to the loss would supply them with a greatly needed edge. Shouldering her rifle, she took careful aim at one of the tall light stands which circled the camp. Giving Mace time to find his position, she waited. Her finger remained poised just above the trigger. She waited for Mace‟s shot.

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A glowing flash of light streaked out of the darkness on the other side of the camp just before one of the lamps popped, sizzled and then faded, throwing a section of the camp into blackness. Honie fired, frying another of the lamps. She targeted one of the startled men and fired. She saw him start to crumple but didn‟t wait for him to hit the ground. She moved. Sweeping wide to the right, she found another position behind a tree and took aim. Mace had already taken out the second sentry. Neither man had made a sound to alert their sleeping comrades. She fired. Her blast hit one of the stands and sparks flew. Systematically, they destroyed the tall lights, plunging the camp into darkness. Honie ran in a low crouch, always keeping some form of cover between her and the camp. She‟d just knelt behind some thick fuzzy-leafed bushes when she felt the presence of a shifter behind her. Her right hand lowered to her hip, freeing her pistol. She knew that it couldn‟t be Mace. They both knew what they had to do. She angled her head just slightly and glanced from the corner of her eye in the direction of the shifter. The Santir crouched just behind a tree. His laser stunner was aimed at the camp. She recognized him as the man who‟d come on board the Parian just after Mace had—Jaison. He wore black and gray mottled clothing and watched the camp tensely. A second Santir ghosted from the shadows. Ardin Torr. He crept forward in a low crouch. He slipped over to the bushes she‟d chosen as cover and took aim at the quiet camp. “Go with Jaison. He‟ll take you to safety while we finish this.” Although it came in a whisper, it was nonetheless an order. Sighing, she nodded. She holstered the pistol and kept her body low as she slipped past him. Although she knew she could have argued, she‟d promised Mace that she‟d leave the battle if help arrived in time. She joined Jaison and he led her away from the area.

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Chapter Eight Mace took aim at one of the tents. The fabric looked gray in the darkness. He waited. Honie would cause a disturbance to draw the mercs from their tents. As the moments stretched, he grew nervous. She should have already been in position, ready to do what had to be done. He turned and then he felt it—the presence of another shifter. He sniffed, catching a faint scent on the light breeze. He smelled male Santir, more than one. None of the mercs were shifter, much less Santir. Inhaling again, he smiled as he recognized the scent of one of the men—Ardin Lukas. He didn‟t know how many Santir were in the area but he did know what it meant. Help had arrived and Honie was probably already out of danger. Ardin Lukas slipped out of the brush, stopping about a body length away from him. Dressed in mottled black and gray gear, he crouched, shielded by both a tree and a bush. He half turned and signaled with his hands. He grinned at Mace and raised a brow, gesturing to the camp. Mace understood those signals and flicked the small switch on his gun, changing the charge from kill to stun. He flashed a hand signal. They needed a noise to rouse the camp. Ardin Lukas nodded and slipped a small cylinder from his belt. He shook it and then ripped off the top, tossing it into the camp. The cylinder hit the ground with a small thud and rolled. A moment later, a loud bang echoed, seeming to ricochet off the walls of the warehouse. Muffled shouts and groans announced the wakening of the last of the mercs. One of the tents burst open. A dark-haired man dived out of it, rolling as he hit the ground. The motion continued as he came to his feet in a tight crouch, his gun level, ready. He fired into the trees without waiting for a target. Still firing, he began to run in 73

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a low crouch toward the box containing the night vision equipment. A stun bolt hit him before he‟d taken six steps. Mace had no idea who‟d taken that shot. He had little time to wonder. The flaps on the tent he was watching loosened then stirred as a small gap appeared. Someone was cautiously testing the situation. The man‟s hair seemed white as his head poked out of the opening. Mace waited until the man‟s head and shoulders had cleared the tent, then fired. The merc went down, half in, half out of the tent. Only three more men had to be stunned before the last three surrendered. Ardin Torr strode across the clearing as men worked on the warehouse door. He clapped Mace on the shoulder. “It‟s good to see that you and your woman came through this unharmed. Why don‟t you go find Honie, gather your stuff and spend some time together? The Central Command officials will be down soon enough, looking for her. She‟ll have to go with them when that happens.” “Thank you, Ardin, I‟ll go do that.” Mace smiled and turned to leave. He appreciated the opportunity to be with her before he had to let her leave him. “Before she goes with the Command officials bring her to us,” Ardin Lukas ordered. “I thought you might want to speak with her.” He smiled. He suspected that Honie was going to learn about the Ardins‟ knack for dispensing justice.

***** Honie paced back and forth between the trees, worried. Because she‟d been in the battle with him, she hadn‟t ever had time to worry about either of them—well, aside from the pre-battle nerves. Now she had nothing else to do but think, fear and see images of Mace getting hurt or killed. She knocked away the clinging vine that had hooked onto the sleeve of her bodysuit. She spun on her heel and stomped back the way she came. Slicing a snarl and a glare at Jaison when he opened his mouth, she continued her monotonous path. If that

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man told her not to worry and to relax one more time, she‟d give in to the urge to take a bite out of him. “Stop baring your teeth at Jaison, Honie, he‟s only following orders.” Mace‟s laughter-filled voice floated to her. Honie spun, gasping. Mace was leaning against a tree, looking utterly delicious and totally wicked. His eyes flashed with anticipation. Joy burst through her. She ran to him. She hit his chest, her arms slipping around his waist and holding him tightly. “I hated not knowing if you were alive or dead, if you‟d been hurt. I‟d rather fight by your side,” Honie mumbled against his chest. She wanted to feel his skin against hers, to be sure on the most elemental level that he was all right. “I‟m safe. We‟re both safe.” He rocked her back and forth in his arms. “We‟ve been ordered to go get our things and then spend some time with each other. Let‟s not waste any of it.” Honie smiled up at him and nodded. “That reminds me. You‟ve never fulfilled your promise to me.” Mace frowned at her but took her hand and tugged her into the forest. He didn‟t question her until they‟d found their packs and set up the tent to ensure their privacy. Crawling into the cozy confines, they spread a single pallet and tumbled onto it. He tugged Honie down and then rolled until he loomed over her. “Now what do you mean „my promise‟? I don‟t remember a promise.” She chuckled. “Then your memory is worse than mine. You made me promises, naro.” Her smile widened as she saw his smoky gray eyes heat. “I watched and listened to those vids many times. I heard it on my first run-through and it surprised and intrigued me. Yes, after we made love in that prison, you growled a few promises in tiron.” “Ah…” His eyes widened and then fell to her lips. His fingers flew down the fastenings to her bodysuit.

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“You promised to show me true magic when we were freed and many other things. With such boasts, I couldn‟t help but dream and wonder if you knew the old magic. I wondered why, if you did, you didn‟t just escape.” Her fingers slowly released the seal on his shirt. Her progress was hindered by the fact that she had to explore the flesh revealed. “That‟s why the Nachul government wanted us.” Mace angled his body to give her more room as her teeth scraped over his collarbone. “They wanted the secrets of the old magic. Even if we‟d escaped the prison on our own, we had no ship. Also, we knew that we‟d be rescued.” His hand slipped down her now-bare ribs, molding to the curves of her body. “After you were brought into the prison, waiting was no hardship.” “So you remember your promises now?” Honie tilted her head and stroked her tongue over the flat brown disk of his nipple. She enjoyed his groan and the tightening of his hands, the tensing of his body. “Yes,” he hissed as she nipped. “Get undressed, before I shred this uniform.” Honie laughed and sat up, shrugging and peeling out of the skintight uniform. She was determined to enjoy the remaining time she had with him. She‟d face the separation when it came. For now, only the moment mattered. “Eager, aren‟t you, i’ma?” Mace smiled down at her as he tossed away the last of his clothing. “Very.” She nodded as her eyes roamed over him. His broad chest gleamed in the dim light, almost inviting the touch of her lips, hands and teeth. “I have high expectations. We are talking about magic, you know.” Mace‟s chuckle rumbled, sexy, deep and predatory. “I‟d better make sure this is an experience you‟ll remember then.” Muscles rippled in his chest as he stretched. She smiled. The flirt was posing. He knew exactly how much she enjoyed watching his body. Her eyes slid down his wide chest to the thick, corded muscles of his thighs and the long shaft which reared between them. 76

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He lifted his hand, palm up over her stomach. A hazy purple mist began to form over his hand. She watched in awe as the mist swirled over his hand. Although it rippled and surged, it seemed contained in a loose ball in his palm. “What are you going to do with that?” Honie goggled as the orb writhed and twirled above her abdomen. Anticipation fluttered low in her belly. “Just what you asked, i’ma.” He smiled as he caught her eyes. “I‟m going to show you the joys of true magic.” He tilted his hand and the foggy mass rolled off his palm. It cascaded down onto the skin of her stomach in a shimmering stream. Everywhere that light cloud touched, a prickling heat spread and tingles danced along her skin. The purple haze flowed up her stomach, over the swell of her breasts. When it covered her nipples, Honie gasped, her back arching. Heat and sensual fire lanced through her. The mist surged over her breasts in a weightless wave but every writhing pulse of the cloud sent daggers of sensation streaking through her. “Gods, Mace, do you know what this feels like?” Honie stared at him wide-eyed, dragging in ragged breaths as she fought for a bit of control. Mace chuckled. “From the luscious scent of your desire, you like it.” He lifted his hand. “Watch.” Again purple mist formed above his hand but this mass began to whirl, seeming to solidify. It formed a shape that at first almost looked rectangular. Then the form gained definition, the lines softening, rounding. A moment later, a purple phallus hovered over his hand. Honie couldn‟t take her eyes off that long rod. It lowered into Mace‟s palm. His fingers closed around the base and he lowered it, brushing it across the outside of her hip. Tingles of warmth and excitement exploded, heightening as he trailed his fingertips across her thigh. She shifted restlessly on the pallet, her legs splaying in invitation. The combination of the hot sparkling pleasure pulsing through her from the hazy mass at her breasts and the fiery trail of that purple shaft pulled everything tight within her. 77

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“I want you to scream for me, nari.” Mace leaned close, brushing his lips across her cheek. “I want you so lost in pleasure that you don‟t care who hears us or who‟s around us.” Her hips punched up in demand when the tip of that dildo slid over her labia. Tingling shocks spread through her. She wanted him, his touch and definitely more of that thrilling desire his magic incited. “Don‟t tease.” She reached for Mace when he drew the magic shaft away from her pussy. She never touched it. Suddenly, the tingling sparks of pleasure at her breasts changed. She‟d swear that someone was sucking on both of her breasts. “Just enjoy it, nari.” He drew the rounded head of the sex toy over her mound. Honie squirmed as he traced a circling path, never quite touching her clit. From the wide smile on his handsome face, he knew exactly what he was doing to her. Her body screamed with sensation. Even her fingertips and toes tingled, alive with need. She wet her lips as he continued to torment her. Her body arched and rolled in sensuous invitation. He pulled the rounded head down, parting her swollen, slick lips. Drawing the hazy, near-translucent shaft down, he circled her clit with the smooth head of the dildo. “A-ah…” The broken cry fell from her lips and she writhed as tiny explosions tore through her, building the tension within her. “That‟s what I want. Tell me what you like.” Mace drew the purple shaft down, brushing the round head through her slick cream and slit. Her hips bucked and she whimpered, pleading for more. Honie‟s mind whirled, lost in the sensations bombarding her body. The tingling sparks caused by that toy drove her wild. What would it feel like when he drove that shaft into her? The mere idea caused a shiver that rocked her body and a fresh gush of honey coated her thighs. “Do you want this?” Mace slid the dildo into her pussy until she‟d taken just under half of it. 78

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Her eyes rolled back and she moaned. Inside her, wherever that marvelous toy touched, sparks flared and fire burned through her. Her hips rocked up, trying to take more of that rod into her but Mace‟s hands moved, drawing back until just the rounded head remained inside her. “Do you want it?” Mace gave the dildo a little twist. Honie hissed, her body tensing, tightening but the explosive orgasm she‟d expected remained out of reach. Her head tossed as her body screamed for release. “Gods, yes.” Mace‟s smile gleamed, very male and satisfied. As he leaned down, the shaft slid deep into her. She arched, keening softly. His lips brushed over her cheek, trailing down to her ear. Hot, moist breath feathered over her ear. “You‟re beautiful. Your body‟s taut and tensed, ready to go over but you‟re not going to find release, i’ma. When you come, I want to be inside you.” He pulled his hand back, almost taking the dildo from the clutching grip of her pussy. Tingling pulses shot through her. Excitement had built to a level she‟d never known before. Her heart pounded and she drew in fast, harsh breaths. Everything he did heightened the level of her need. Even the wet slurp of the shaft stroking into her seemed incredibly erotic. She couldn‟t stop moving, desperate to feel the explosive heat as she came. The shaft pushed deep into her and her hips arched up off the mat as a sharp tingle flashed through her cunt. “Mace…” Her voice rose as he twisted the magic sex toy inside her. He chuckled. “What do you want, nari?” The shaft withdrew and remained motionless for a moment. “Tell me and I‟ll give it to you.” She stared up at him. Her body burned. She knew that if she didn‟t come soon, she‟d probably be the first-ever fatality from frustrated desire. “You.” The shaft drove deep into her and her strangled gasp garbled the word. “What was that, i’ma?” Shallow thrusts of the purple cock emphasized each word. 79

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“You… Ooh!” Honie‟s moan was accompanied by a full-body shiver as the rod again thrust deep. “Mace…” She reached for him, desperate to end the torment. “You want me?” Mace leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. “You want me instead of this?” He twisted the purple shaft and the mist caressing her breasts moved in a simultaneous rolling wave. Stinging, blinding pleasure followed the path of that movement and she reared up, clutching at his shoulders. “Mace, please!” Mace chuckled, a sexy hungry rumble as he pulled the toy from her grasping quim. He tossed the purple dildo over his shoulder and with a wave the mass over her breasts disappeared. He moved between her thighs and fitted his cock to her slit. Her cream coated the head of his cock as he remained poised there. His lips sealed to hers and then he pushed slowly into her slick sheath. Honie keened against his lips. Her entire body tingled, sensitized, ready to explode as he moved with agonizing slowness. Her nails sank into his shoulders and her legs wrapped around his hips as she arched. A long groan tore from her throat when his warm chest brushed across her hard red nipples. Sharp, hot need lanced through her. “That‟s it, beautiful i’ma. I love seeing you lost in passion.” Mace moved his hips in a circle, grinding his pelvis against her clit. “Mace!” She cried his name in exultation as her hips slammed up into his. Her climax took her. Boiling pleasure erupted, flowing through her shivering body until even the tips of her fingers tingled in ecstasy. His strokes continued as her muscles rippled around him, grasping and pulling at his cock. He stroked into her, deep, hard thrusts. Their slick bodies slid against each other. With a shout, stifled in the crook of her neck, he came. Honie stroked a hand over his hair as she felt the last pulses of semen. She waited for him to raise his head. Gods she‟d never felt or imagined anything like that. Her mind was still buzzing happily with pleasure. “That was amazing.” Honie brushed her lips over his chin. 80

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Mace‟s smile spread and his eyes flashed with wicked intent. “You think I‟m finished, nari?” He swirled his hand and the dildo appeared in his hand. “I have so much more planned for you.” “For now, you‟re finished.” Honie pushed on his shoulder and he lifted his body. “You know we have to go join the others.” A frown twisted his lips and he shook his head. “Unfortunately, we do. Before you leave, we both need to talk to the Ardin.”

***** Honie strolled into the clearing around the collector‟s warehouse with a smile on her face. Mace‟s hand had slipped into hers after they‟d both shouldered their packs, and hadn‟t left hers since. She liked the feeling of his hand in hers, the connection. She savored every moment. Their separation might be temporary but she didn‟t want to go. He tugged her over to where the two Ardin stood together, surveying the people clearing a slightly larger area so that a cargo ship could land to get the artifacts. They still wore the mottled body armor and the battle clothing only made them look more imposing than usual. When the two men noticed them approaching, Ardin Torr signaled to a passing man. He nodded and left the clearing at a trot. Honie frowned. What was that about? She turned her attention back to the two men. Both of them were smiling but there was something about those smiles that raised the hair on the back of her neck. She couldn‟t quite decide what it was about that smile. She just knew that it wasn‟t the “welcome” she‟d expected. “Mace, it‟s about time you showed up here.” Torr clasped Mace‟s arm and threw an arm around his shoulders. “And as ordered, you brought your impudent mate to see us.” They still must be a little upset about her insults. She took a deep breath and smiled bravely. “Hello, Ardin Torr, Ardin Lukas. Would an apology help?”

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“Are you saying that you didn‟t mean those slurs when you said them?” Ardin Lukas raised a doubting brow. “When I said them, I meant them and felt justified in saying them,” she admitted. “I was angry.” “There was some cause to be angry but you went just a little too far. You earned your punishment with your disrespect.” Ardin Torr shook his head but he was still smiling. The blond-haired man who‟d left the camp at Ardin Torr‟s signal returned. He carried a slim square gray box. Her punishment was in a box? What kind of punishment fitted in a box? She narrowed her eyes as the man placed the box in Ardin Torr‟s hands. Mace‟s words about the Ardin floated through her head. They have an uncanny ability to make their victims squirm. She had a feeling that she was going to hate whatever was in that box. “You two seem to have resolved the issues between you.” Ardin Lukas looked down at their linked hands and the way their bodies touched at shoulder, hip and thigh. “She doesn‟t hold a grudge.” Mace‟s hand tightened on hers in a brief reassuring squeeze. Honie looked up at him and saw that he was smiling down at her. In his gray eyes, she saw amusement and love. She smiled and relaxed, leaning into him. Nothing mattered as long as she was with him. “As for you…” Ardin Torr smiled and held out the box. “Take this. Open it.” Honie took the gray box and flipped the lid open. For a moment, she thought that there was some kind of white cushioning. Then she noticed the white straps curled near the top of the box. Her head snapped up and she looked at the two men. They wouldn‟t. Not after she‟d been separated from Mace for years. That was cruel. She looked up again and

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caught the hard glint in Lukas‟ blue eyes and Torr‟s green eyes. Resisting the urge to once again defend her actions, she kept her lips sealed and waited. She wouldn‟t show even more disrespect to them. “You‟ll wear that or something else totally white after you‟ve resigned your post with Central Command. You have pointed out that we left you in that prison and aren‟t your Ardin. So you‟ll come to us as a waif.” Lukas‟ smile grew. Honie closed her eyes. They were going to use that damn archaic custom concerning women without a thent against her. Mace hadn‟t lied. They did seem to have a talent for picking a punishment that would make the victim squirm. “For eight days after Mace brings you back to our ship, you‟ll be considered a foundling. On the ninth day, you‟ll kneel and swear loyalty to us. After that, we‟ll celebrate your marriage.” Torr ticked off the events on his fingers. Honie wanted to kick him, rage against those conditions. She settled for leveling a glare at the two men. Arguing with them wouldn‟t help even if it did burn off some of her anger. She snapped the lid closed and tucked the box under her arm. Drawing in a calming breath, she nodded. “I believe they want you over there now.” Lukas pointed toward the gathered group of Central Command personnel. Honie glanced over her shoulder and saw a couple of men standing near a small shuttle. Both men wore the Central Command uniform. One of them motioned to her when they noticed that they had her attention. “Mace, I‟ll be expecting to see you when I get out of debriefing. Ardin, it was…interesting meeting you again.” She brushed her fingers across Mace‟s cheek, kissed him and walked over to the waiting officials.

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Chapter Nine Debriefing had been more of a chore than usual because she‟d put in a request to resign her post. She‟d known it wouldn‟t be easy. What she hadn‟t expected was to be confined to headquarters for ten days. The dreary confines dragged at her spirit. Honie looked up from her study of the gray metal table as the door to the debriefing room slid open. A paunchy older man entered the gray-walled room first. Admiral Mergan had made a brief appearance earlier and had now returned. Mergan was followed by her supervisor, Captain Danner Simons. Slim and tall, the dark-haired, dark-skinned man still maintained the conditioning he‟d had as an operative. “Normally when someone resigns we require at least a four-mission notice, to make certain that it‟s not just a reaction to a bad situation.” The gray-haired admiral smiled as he took a seat opposite her. His dark face creased, showing two deep dimples. “We know that that‟s not the case here.” “We already had you slated to go on two more missions, Honie.” Captain Simons lowered his lean frame into the seat at the end of the table. “It‟s not going to be easy to replace you.” Honie groaned. She knew what was coming. The “we need you to do this one mission” bargaining would begin. She‟d have to agree. If she didn‟t, they could keep her in this facility for years. “What do you want me to do?” “We want the collector. He knows about you and word is that he wants the person responsible for the loss of his treasure,” Admiral Mergan revealed with a sweep of his hand. As if it would be that simple. “You expect me to hunt him down? I wouldn‟t know where to look.” She gaped at them. For a moment, she wondered if this place had stolen their sanity. 84

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“We‟re going to let him find you. He‟s found out that you‟ve resigned your commission and are traveling toward Shifter-Protected Space.” Captain Simons steepled his fingers in front of his mouth. The action didn‟t hide his calculating grin. “He‟ll come for you.” So there was a leak in the Command hierarchy. “You want me to be bait.” Honie took a deep breath. This meant trouble but she didn‟t see a way to avoid it. She‟d been away from Mace for years and wasn‟t prepared to waste even a moment more than necessary. “How exposed will I be?” “As exposed as a normal citizen would be.” Captain Simons smiled and then tilted his dark head. “Well, as exposed as a citizen with Command personnel guarding them. You won‟t see them unless you need them.” Normal citizen—that meant she‟d only be able to carry a rusu stunner or a knife. “We‟ll keep your man busy.” Admiral Mergan rose and strode to the door, leaving her to sit there and contemplate this latest complication.

***** Honie strolled down the wide store-lined street. If she wanted off this planet, she couldn‟t hide in her room. She had to be visible and appear vulnerable. They‟d stuck her on Bariouen, a planet in Command Space but at the opposite end to where Mace thought she‟d be. For the most part, the planet seemed safe enough. It offered vast stretches of wilderness to run through should she choose to take the chance. She‟d been here for eight days but so far nothing had happened. She had no idea if the collector or any of his men were on the planet. From the start she‟d known there‟d be no contact with the agents set to watch over her. That fact made her a little nervous. As she hadn‟t been able to spot any of them, she suspected that they had the best of their agents on the detail. The city of Veshi sprawled across a vast area, the sections of the city interlaced with stretches of woods and park. Those lush areas called to the animal within her but the

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risk was too great. Her enemy knew she was a shifter and could use that knowledge to kill her. At least in her human form she could carry weapons. The shops around her were filled with beautiful clothes, exotic scents and delicious treats. The sweets tempted her but it was the clothing which held the strongest pull. Even though she was acting as bait here, she was technically resigned from Central Command. So she followed the Ardin‟s orders and hated it. For the last eight days, she‟d worn only white. The bright colors of the clothing drew her. The two Ardin couldn‟t have picked a better punishment if they‟d known her for years. She hated the color white. It was so boring and didn‟t look right on her. She doubted that they realized her personal feelings about the color. Their aim had been to deny her the marital connection with Mace for a short period of time—the thing she wanted most. She preferred bright colors in her clothing. Her usual choices were vivid greens and blues or black with dramatic contrasts. Just knowing that she couldn‟t wear those colors made the pull even stronger. Honie walked into the cool, well-lighted, clothes-filled shop. She might not be able to wear colorful clothes now but she could buy them. As most of the clothing she‟d brought with her was horrid white, she wanted to have plenty of other options when she completed the required sentence. She paced over to a rack of clothing. A shiver of apprehension ran up her spine. Paying attention to that silent warning, she moved around the display. Her head was tilted down but her eyes scanned the interior of the shore. Something was wrong. Someone was very definitely stalking her. The only male she could spot in this store was a sales attendant. She knew at a glance that he was definitely not an assassin. The two women closest to her chattered as they took the vibrant dresses off the rack and held them up in front of them. They didn‟t even seem to be aware of her. Not them then. Movement to her right caught her attention. A petite woman with close-cropped

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black hair stood beside a rack of clothing. Her hands idly moved the hangers along the rack. Honie‟s eyes focused briefly on the woman. For a few moments, she couldn‟t understand why the woman seemed out of place, wrong. She stopped analyzing the matter. The very fact that the woman set off her internal alarms meant that she was probably an assassin. As the woman moved, so did Honie, just enough to keep her in sight but she also made sure she was aware of the other people in the shop. There was always the possibility that she was wrong or that the woman had a partner. As the woman paced to another rack, Honie glided over to a different display. She saw the look of frustration cross the woman‟s face. Oh, yes, she was at least a spotter. She kept the woman in sight but also made certain that no one crept up behind her. Honie knew when the woman gave up on taking her by surprise. The black-haired woman‟s eyes narrowed and she pushed her black jacket back, revealing a sheathed knife. The jacket dropped to the floor, revealing the gray body armor and an assortment of knives strapped to the assassin‟s body. A scream ripped into the silence of the shop as someone caught sight of the weapons. Gasps followed and then rushing footsteps carried a wave of people to the door. Soon only the clerk, Honie and the assassin remained in the store. “I‟m calling the Enforcers.” The male attendant dashed behind the counter and began punching his fingers across the screen there. “Do that.” Honie didn‟t spare him more than the first glance. “Have them send medics as well. She might need them.” The woman smiled, a slow baring of her teeth. “You may be part animal but I‟ll still slice you to ribbons slowly.” Honie raised a brow in inquiry. “Want to tell me why? I‟ve never met you before.”

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“The money, of course.” The woman chuckled. “Didn‟t you know that you have a bounty on your head?” “I can think of easier ways to kill someone.” She sidestepped, keeping a rack between them. “Ah, you don‟t know about the bounty.” The knife moved soundlessly through the air as she glided toward Honie. She shoved a rack of clothing to the side when the clothes caught on her blade. It landed with a loud clang on the cream-colored tile of the store‟s floor. Honie moved in counter, keeping the woman in sight. “I don‟t particularly care about it.” “Someone wants you to suffer.” The woman pushed the stand out of the way. It skittered on the tile and tumbled onto its side. She began to circle to the left. “The bounty will only be paid if it‟s confirmable that your death was painful and lingering. Someone hates you.” “I know who hates me.” Her smile was rueful. The collector wanted someone to pay for the loss of his stolen goods. She wasn‟t in the mood to oblige him. “Too bad you‟ll be going to prison in his place.” “I‟ll be done before the Enforcers get here.” The dark-haired woman lunged, swiping at Honie‟s midriff. Honie jumped back but never lost her smile. “It‟s not the Enforcers you have to worry about.” “You think you‟re so dangerous because you‟re not human.” The woman thrust the blade forward, intending to bury it in Honie‟s chest. She knocked the assassin‟s hand aside. The woman spun with the blow and while she was turning, Honie stepped back, making her way around a rack.

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“Even if I was a mere human, I could handle you.” Honie shook her head. The woman was an infant assassin. She didn‟t even realize that she was out of her depth. “You‟re an amateur who‟s too stupid to realize she‟s stepped into a bad situation.” The woman‟s mouth tightened but she didn‟t respond to the taunt. She circled one of the stands. The blade swept in an arc, slashing up toward Honie‟s chest. Honie dodged to the side, knocking over a display of dresses. “What?” The black-haired woman threw out her hands and advanced a step. Her attitude screamed challenge. “You can‟t fight me? Is talking all you can do?” “Why should I waste my time or energy?” Honie laughed. “In a few moments, you‟ll be lying on the floor, waiting to be cuffed.” “They‟ll find you on the floor…when they get here. You‟ll be dead by that time!” the assassin boasted as she jumped forward, driving her blade toward Honie‟s gut. “Am I your first mark?” Honie danced away from the sharp blade. “I‟ve never seen anyone make as many mistakes as you have.” The assassin rushed Honie. The hand holding the knife drove toward the right side of her chest. This time she didn‟t jump away from the blade. Her fingers wrapped around the woman‟s wrist, halting the blade before it got close to her skin. With a shove, she sent the assassin flying back into a rack of clothing. “You‟re such a baby at your trade that you can‟t even tell when you should stay and fight and when you should run.” Honie narrowed her eyes on the woman struggling to her feet, stumbling as she became tangled in a dress. “They‟re going to have fun with you on the penal colony.” The swish of the door announced the arrival of Command personnel. Two men in black bodysuits strolled into the shop. The agents stopped to survey the scene. They took in the woman standing with a knife hanging at her side and Honie braced for another stupid attack. “Have you been hurt, Deveian?” the tall blond agent asked.

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“No, just inconvenienced.” Honie grimaced at the mess of the shop. “I was hoping to get in some shopping.” “I‟m sure you can still find what you want. But it‟ll have to be at another shop.” The stocky, dark-haired man cocked a hand on his hip and with the other pointed his gun at the assassin. “This one will be closed for a bit.” “Tell your mission leader that there‟s a bounty on my head—for my slow, painful death.” Honie leveled a glare at him. “But do thank him for sticking me out in the left arm of a nowhere galaxy. At least, I don‟t have to deal with the organized assassin guilds.” The black-haired man stood there with his mouth open for a moment. “Um…yes, I‟ll do that.” Honie left the shop. She needed to walk, to think. The bounty on her head did change the situation. She‟d thought she could come back to Command Space to see her friends. There was no way she could do that now. She‟d be a danger to anyone near her. Only in Shifter-Protected Space would she be safe. The guilds had no power there. As to the present, she thought she‟d be safe enough on Bariouen until this mission was completed. Somehow she‟d have to find a way to contact Mace or another thent. She didn‟t want to risk leaving the planet. Assassins on some other planets were much more formidable. If she knew of a way, she‟d send a message now. She wanted this finished. She did find a few things to buy eventually. Just in case she was attacked again, she decided against carrying her purchases back to the hotel. She arranged for them to be delivered to her room. The sun was setting when she turned back. The sky turned a gorgeous pale purple in the fading light. She paced along the well-kept sidewalk.

***** Honie blinked, jerking awake. Her heart slammed against her chest. Her instincts prickled a warning. Something had woken her. Her fingers closed around the stunner

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under her pillow. She slid from the bed without making a sound. Keeping low, she ghosted over to the shadowy protection of chair. Cocking her head to one side, she listened for the soft brush of a shoe, the telltale sound of a breath. Nothing. She reached with her senses, searching. Surprise slammed into her when she felt the presence of another shifter. She had only a moment to wonder if it was an assassin before the lights activated. “Are you finished playing, rah’ki?” Mace lounged back against the wall. A smile curved his sensuous lips. His golden hair fell around his shoulders. He looked wild and fierce tonight. Smoky eyes locked on her. It took a moment for the truth to hit her. He was really here. She leapt forward, running to him. Throwing herself into his open arms, she buried her face against his neck and simply inhaled for a few moments. Only when his scent surrounded her did she really begin to believe that he‟d come for her. His arms simply held her and he remained still and silent until she looked up at him. Goddess, it was good to see his gray eyes again. Being away from him had been like living with half a soul. It had been easier when she hadn‟t known what she was missing. Now she never wanted to feel it again. “By the Goddess, Mace, we keep getting separated.” She smoothed her hands up his muscled arms. “Not again, nari.” He pulled her body tight to his. “You‟re not getting away from me again. Are you ready to go?” “Let me get dressed and get my bags.” Honie walked into the small bathroom, gathering her things and carrying them with her. Most of her belongings were in her bags. She had always wanted to be prepared to leave at a moment‟s notice. Honie threw on one of her white dresses. She grabbed her comp. When she looked at him again, she saw the heat in his eyes and felt an answering warmth stirring within her body. She dropped her bags. She wanted to make love with him.

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“I want to spend some time together, Mace.” She glided over to him and slipped her arms around his waist. Stretching up on her tiptoes, she nipped at his lips. “Be with me now.” Her body rubbed against his, asking, demanding. Mace chuckled. His arms tightened around her pulling her against him. He widened his stance and she clearly felt his cock pressing against her. “Don‟t even think about it, Mace.” Ardin Torr‟s voice burst into the silence of the room. “You can be alone later—when we‟re safe.” Honie groaned. Why couldn‟t that be someone who‟d go away when they were told? Where were all the sensitive, considerate Santir? She turned her head and saw the redheaded Ardin leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his wide chest. “What, no „welcome‟, Honie, or „it‟s good to see you‟?” He smiled and straightened away from the wall. “It would have been good to see you earlier.” Sighing, she accepted the inevitable and stepped away from Mace. Telling the Ardin that he was in the way just wasn‟t done. “When you had your encounter with an assassin.” Torr nodded, seeming to know all about the day‟s events. “I see you‟ve been very busy.” She shook her head. It shouldn‟t surprise her. If they had found her this soon, they had someone wandering through Central Command records. “Come on, Honie. We‟re going home.” Mace curled an arm around her waist. Honie smiled and picked up her bags. She slid a teasing glance up at Mace. “Were the Ardin always this obstructive? I wouldn‟t have thought so from the vids.” Mace smiled but shook his head at her. “I’ma…” He ruffled her hair. “Well, I know you weren‟t this impudent on Nachul. You seemed almost docile there.” Ardin Torr laughed. “It‟s nice to see some spirit.” He swept an arm toward the door. “Time to go.”

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Lost Memories

She leaned her head against Mace‟s chest. She heard his heart beating, felt the warmth of his skin even through his shirt. A sense of peace settled over her. Whether they were on a ship or a planet, when she was with him, she was home.

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About the Author Rebecca Airies has always loved to read. Futuristic, the classics, mystery or horror, the genre doesn‟t matter as long as the stories capture her interest and take her on an adventure. She soon discovered a love for writing and characters just waiting to tell their stories. Since that time, writing has become an obsession. Rebecca lives in the heart of Texas. She loves the outdoors, growing things and working on crafts when she‟s not lost in the worlds of her characters. Please feel free to write and tell her what you think; she‟d love to hear from you.

Rebecca welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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Also by Rebecca Airies Between Two Tiron Ellora‟s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile II anthology Ellora‟s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction II anthology Fire Princes‟ Bride Guarded Beginnings In Sorcery‟s Hold Primal Pursuit Primal Quest Second Chance

Discover for yourself why readers can‟t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora‟s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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