Alien Attachments (24 page)

“It would seem,” Armond said, interrupting the tension between father and son, “I operated without all the facts.” He appeared shaken and even paler than usual.

“Damn right, you did,” Rucon said.

Armond knelt down and bowed his head at Rucon’s feet. “Please accept my apology, your lordship.”

Rucon eyed Armond. “Does this information change your desire to serve my family?”

Armond didn’t hesitate. “No, sir. It does, however, present a new sense of urgency in getting everyone safely to Earth.”

“Agreed,” Rucon nodded. He looked at Balastar next. “And you councilman? Does this change your desire to align forces?”

“Not in the least,” Balastar said. “If possible, it has increased my respect for you. We need to finish our meeting. There are logistics to discuss.”

“Get up,” Rucon told Armond.

Armond rose to his feet.

“Do I have your word you will never again act without authority?”

“Yes, your lordship.”

Rucon nodded.

Armond next approached Dani who stood flanked by Balastar and Ria.

“I am glad you possess such ability. If you had fallen sooner, this would have ended very differently. For all of us.”

Dani threw him her best “don’t bullshit me” look. “You played with me. You could have killed me sooner.”

Armond searched her face. “You are correct. Perhaps I was guided by some intuition. It’s not like me to delay.”

Dani waited for more, but that appeared to be it. “Is that an apology?”

“If you like,” Armond said. “I now consider you one of the people I am sworn to protect. You need never fear me again.” He bowed low to Dani.

“Ria,”—Ian’s voice was quiet—“you and Marco take care of Dani. Armond, go find Samuel. We’re coordinating the move with him. Father, Uncle, Balastar, shall we continue our meeting?” Ian was all business. No sign his life had just been rewritten.

“Back to the conference room,” Rucon said.

“But—” Mara looked from Dani to Ian.

Dani shook her head. “Sorry, Mara. Like I said, my future, my choice.”

Balastar searched her face. “I knew your relationship with Ian was complicated, but I didn’t know how complicated.”

Dani tried to suppress the feeling that her fate was already written. It scared her and pissed her off in equal measure. “Go on. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”

“Okay.” He squeezed her arm and joined the Cavacents.

Marco used his psi to move Dani back to her room. Ria plumped the pillows on the couch and they laid her down in a half reclining position.

“This should keep the pressure off your ribs till I can get them sorted.”

“Thanks,” Dani said. The adrenaline had worn off and the pain from Armond’s attack set in.

“You got this covered?” Marco asked.

“Yep,” Ria replied.

“Good. I’m going to go find Armond. Rucon may be okay with this, but I’ll never trust him again.”

“Great. Another reason for you two to argue. Just remember, Rucon cleared him so don’t go making trouble where there isn’t any.”

Marco grunted and gave Dani a nod before leaving.

Ria pulled up a chair and placed a hand on Dani’s leg and another just below her ribs.

Dani settled in the pillows and closed her eyes. She didn’t know what to think. Mara was human and Ian was half. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. She let out a deep breath.
My choice.
Her mind flashed back to her mother and father. The pain of their death had never left her. Ria’s psi worked its magic, sending soothing waves over her. She relaxed deeper, and without intention, found her psi connecting with Ian. It came so easily. Before she closed the connection, pleasure flooded into her.
Oh, God.
Nothing felt this good. She pulled away, slower than she would have liked and wondered if “her choice” was really only so many words.

“You okay?” Ria brought her back to the present. She’d finished and sat watching her.

Dani sat up cautiously, feeling immeasurably better. “Yeah. Much better, thanks.”

“You’re going to be sore for a few days. Just take it easy, all right?”

“Yeah, okay.” She ran a hand through her hair. “This whole thing is such a mess.”

“Which part? Armond trying to kill you, being partially bonded with Ian, or Balastar falling for you?”

Dani laughed in spite of it all. “Yes, to all of the above.” She rubbed at her eyes. “Balastar took me on a picnic today. Or at least he tried. We were interrupted.”

“Oh, please.”

“What? It was beautiful. A secluded glen. A waterfall…” Dani replayed the day in her mind.

“You didn’t.” Ria searched her face.

“What?” Dani said.

“Did you?”

“No!” Dani smacked her on the arm. “We did sort of kiss, though.”

“Damn girl, I haven’t so much as had a date in months and you’ve slept with one, and been kissed by another, of the hottest men I know.” Ria reached out and put a hand on her knee. “You know what this means, don’t you? About you and Ian?”

“Do not go there. I meant what I said. My life, my choice.”

“Okay, okay.” Ria put her hands up in surrender.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to snap at you. This is just so confusing. Balastar is wonderful. He’s kind and really seems to care.”

Ria gave her a questioning look.

“And he’s funny, right?”

“Yes, he’s funny. But, Ian—”

“Ian. I’ll be honest, he scares me. It’s too much with him. Too intense. And now, he’s human? That’s just crazy.” Dani swung her legs off the couch. “And Mara. She thinks the whole thing with Ian is a forgone conclusion. That really freaks me out.”

Ria sighed. “I don’t know what to say. I’m here if you need me. I’m going to go find out what the plan is. I’ll let you know when you’re going home.”

“Thanks.” Dani gave her best friend and alien a hug, then went to get cleaned up.

* * * *

Back in Rucon’s library, Ian only half listened to the others discuss the move to Earth. They’d allowed all family and any trusted friends access to the planet. Each household signed a contract relating to confidentiality and fealty to the Cavacent family. At some point, the humans would discover their existence, it was inevitable, but for now they planned to stay as low profile as possible. Low profile to hide from the humans.
His
other half. His mind reeled from the revelation. How could he not have known? And if his mother had psi as well as Dani, how many more were there?

Ian thought back to the day at the pool. If he’d known about his mother, about being half human, then…he and Dani would be together now. His gut tightened along with a pull in his psi. He should have been the one to teach her about that part of herself and about their bond.

Our bond.
He allowed himself to think about her. About them being together. A weight lifted from his shoulders. Shame washed over him when he thought of the way he’d treated her. He had to make it up to her. Make her forgive him, and win her back from Balastar.

He stilled as Dani’s psi washed over him. He let her. No response, just let her be. A breathtaking blast of pleasure, and then she was gone. Ian sat up straighter. This was a new game. She belonged to him.

Later that night Dani surveyed her room. She’d collected a surprising number of clothes and a few souvenirs from her time on Sandaria. Her bags sat packed by the door, and they were heading home in the morning. Balastar had left to get his affairs sorted. Moving vans were taking entire households to the space port for transport to Rucon’s merchant ships. Dani shook her head. How cool was that? An actual space port. It was all happening incredibly fast, as they had decided speed beat stealth. The move to Earth was on.

She sensed Ian’s presence a fraction of a second before the knock at the door. An insane mix of emotions flooded through her.

“Come in.” She remained standing when he entered the room, not sure what to expect.

Ian closed the door, hesitating before turning to her. “Do you have a minute?”

Dani folded her arms across her chest. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. “Why? Figure out another way to treat me badly?”

Ian frowned. “I deserved that.”

Despite herself, she buzzed with his proximity. “Yes, you did. What do you want?” She clenched her fists, trying to maintain control.

“To talk. Dani, I’m sorry about the way I’ve been acting. It was the only way to keep you at arm’s length. I had to keep you away. To protect my family. Problem is, staying away from you is getting harder and harder. It’s making me crazy and fidgety and I’m carrying around energy I can’t expend.”

Dani was having the same problems and now, with him just feet away, she was terrified she would lose it.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to keep our distance. I had no choice. I’m sorry.”

“You already said that.” She welcomed the anger coursing through her. It gave her control. “ So, what? Now you know everything. Your mother. You. You’ve decided to play nice?” Her anger slipped and her heart ached as she lost herself in his eyes.

“We’re moving to Earth. It won’t matter there.” He opened up then, his psi enveloping her. She nearly dropped to the floor with the impact of pleasure, but he caught her in his arms. The physical contact caused some weird morphing of psi as they joined.

“I’m not playing, Dani. This is real.” His lips met hers, his tongue probing her mouth. The pleasure from psi was one thing, one mind-blowing fucking amazing thing, but combined with his touch, it consumed her. He wasn’t holding back this time. Not like on Como. When she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, they were already on her bed. Her body and psi were alive with staggering sensations, every cell buzzing with his energy. Her hands explored as the intensity grew. Suddenly, she was ripped by pleasure so intense, she cried out. Fear exploded. She was losing herself.

“Stop!” Dani blindly flung her body away from him, rolling over the edge of the bed and landing in a heap. “Arg.” She rolled onto her ass and backed away, trying to clear her head.

Ian, still on the bed, swung his legs over and stepped toward her.

“No! Don’t come any closer.” Her heart pounded as she tried to regain control of her psi and the pleasure invading it. She pulled herself to standing and held out her hands. “What the hell was that?”

“We need to finish bonding. It’s all right.” Ian was out of breath as well.

“That was not all right. Nothing about this is all right. I think I nearly died just now.” Like someone about to overdose, Dani grabbed her chest, willing her heart to slow down. She quickly buttoned up her shirt.
When did that happen?

“Dani,” Ian said, keeping his distance. “You don’t understand. You belong to me. You’re mine.”

“I what?” Dani couldn’t see straight she was so angry. How dare the arrogant bastard! Thinking he could walk in here and
own
her? “Get out. Now.”

“Dani.” Ian took a step forward.

“Get out!” she screamed and flung him into the wall next to the door. Her psi pulsed with pleasure at the contact, but her anger gave her control. “Get out,” she said again, quietly.

Ian held his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry.”

“You. Already. Said that.” Dani pointed to the door.

Ian started to say something but closed his mouth. He looked like he was barely in control. His eyes flashed green.

“Don’t even think about it. Get. Out.”

He turned and left her alone.

Dani spun around, her back to the door, and grabbed fists full of hair. She tried to take deep calming breaths, but she was shaking and angry as hell. And scared. What happened when they were together… Saying she felt like she’d lose herself wasn’t a figurative statement. It was literal. This bond thing… She dropped her hands and managed to breathe deep. This bond wasn’t something she’d come back from. Ever. And it scared the shit out of her.

* * * *

The next morning Ian stood by while loaders moved the containers into the ship’s bay. All told, they were moving thirty-two households and over five hundred people to Earth. For safety sake, Rucon had ordered the Sandarians on the first two ships. They’d boarded overnight and left before the city woke. They would be docking at Earth’s cloaked station in three day’s time. His mother and a number of the household staff that had opted to relocate, had ported over earlier that morning. Their belongings would remain on Rucon’s ships, cloaked in near Earth orbit until they were ready. Ian checked the roster. Another five to eight hours and they should have everything loaded. They planned for the EPs, his uncle, and his father to leave the planet last.

“That’s the last of our belongings.” Rucon approached from the rear of the hangar.

“What’s going to happen to the compound?” Ian said.

“Once they realize we’ve gone, someone will snatch it up. Probably Prayda. If he can. There’s no telling what will happen with the local power structure. He may lose everything of his own, can’t say.”

“So, no coming back.”

Rucon shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going to happen now. Where’s your team?”

“Armond is with Mordo in your library working on the portal. Marco is on Earth, overseeing operations there and Ria is at the compound.”

“And Dani?”

Ian hesitated before answering. He’d completely screwed up last night. Saying she belonged to him was a colossal mistake. He knew better, but being with her, so close to her and no reason to fight it any longer was too much. He’d snapped. “She was with Ria this morning. I don’t know about now. She knows we’re leaving soon so she won’t go far.”

Rucon swallowed hard. “Look son, I should have told you the truth sooner.”

“Yes. You should have.”

“I couldn’t do it, you know, all those years ago.”

Ian looked at his father. He seemed to have aged in just the last few days. “Do what, father?”

“Deny the bond. When I saw Mara, that was it. I had to have her. I risked it all, but not you. You somehow fought it. Even after the portal move on Earth and her healing you. I’m amazed at your strength. And sorry I made you feel it was necessary.”

Ian couldn’t remember his father ever apologizing. “Thank you.”