In the Flesh (6 page)

In response to his inquiry, the Guardian projected a view of Sapphire and her father against the bare wall, complete with sound.

“Thank you.”

He’d found an ally.

Wulfric watched as Sapphire was wrapped in an affectionate embrace. When her father stepped back and his face was revealed, the air rushed from Wulf’s lungs.

No wonder the
mästares
wouldn’t tell anyone about his presence in Sari—they were protecting the daughter of their national hero.

Sapphire’s father was none other than General Grave Erikson, the highest-ranking officer in the Sarian Army.

Chapter 4

Sapphire waved her father into an oversized chaise, then she took the seat next to him, relishing the opportunity to have his undivided attention. She smiled into brown eyes identical to her own and asked, “How is Mom?”

Grave Erikson looked dashing in his uniform of sapphire sleeveless tunic and matching loose trousers. His long, sable hair was tied back at the nape, revealing a face of austere handsomeness and quiet strength. With a glaive-hilt strapped to his muscular thigh, her father radiated a danger that caused his enemies to run in fear and filled Sapphire’s heart with pride. “She’s well. Lovely as always. She plans to visit as soon as she can.”

“I’m surprised you came without her.”

“Work brought me out this way.” He held out his hand, palm up, revealing a large man’s ring nestled there. “A souvenir for you.”

Picking up the offering, Sapphire admired the massive talgorite gem, its vibrant red color distinctive and singularly beautiful. It was also exceptionally
valuable, its size sufficient to power a deep-space
skeide
through several lightspeed jumps. “What’s this symbol imbedded in the stone?”

“The royal shield of D’Ashier.”

She swallowed hard, knowing how brutally Wulf was forced to part with the item. Her fist closed around it protectively. “How did you get this?”

“Talgorite is too valuable to use for jewelry, for the most part. When the ring hit the black market, word spread and a vice officer picked it up. He recognized the shield, and the ring made its way up the chain to me.”

“Did you find out why the royal family parted from it?”

“The fence admitted to working with a mercenary group that attacked the Crown Prince of D’Ashier’s patrol last week. I knew of it, of course, because we’d intercepted transmissions from the search party that was sent to locate the prince’s group.”

“Did they kill him?” Sapphire shoved aside the guilt she felt at deceiving her father.

“That’s the most interesting part. The fence says they tortured Prince Wulfric and sold him. Unfortunately, the man was not privy to any internal discussion in the merc group. The lack of information is frustrating. Obviously Wulfric never made it to either the Sarian or D’Ashier palaces, so where the hell is he? Who would be able to afford him, and why would they want him? I wonder if he’s received medical care for his injuries or if he’s been taken off-world.”

Sapphire studied her father. “You seem…upset.”

A
mästare
entered the room and laid out trays of
sweetmeats, fruits, and cheeses. The ale the servant poured was cold and slushy, instantly frosting the glasses.

Grave waited until the servant departed before continuing. “I’m a warrior, not a politician. I could care less about the trade agreements and Interstellar Council squabbles that keep us at odds with D’Ashier. I care about men and honor. Prince Wulfric is a brave man and an excellent warrior. To be ambushed, tortured, and sold…It’s cowardly and dishonorable. I would have preferred a more fitting end for a man such as him.”

“You think he’s dead?”

“I hope he’s not, but odds aren’t in his favor at this point.”

“You sound as if you like him.”

Grave shrugged. “I admire him. I fought against him hand to hand during the Confrontations. He was young then, but he had fire and an air of command I admired. His tactical plans were well thought out, he never moved rashly or responded in haste. His first concern was always for the well-being of his men, and he never allowed his desire for victory to goad him into actions that would needlessly cost lives.”

“But it’s
you
who walked away triumphant and a national hero from those battles,” she reminded him proudly.

“We won, but only by the skin of our teeth. If the weather hadn’t changed and that sandstorm blown in, the outcome could have been very different.”

“You’ve never told me that before!”

“We’ve never talked about Prince Wulfric before.”
Grave reached for a piece of melon and popped it into his mouth.

“Let’s talk about him now.” Leaning against the curved arm of the chaise, Sapphire met her father’s gaze with a challenging smile. “Tell me everything you know.”

He eyed her speculatively. “Why the sudden interest in Wulfric?”

“You’ve never been defeated, now you tell me it almost happened once. I’m curious about the man who is such a match for you.”

“Some other time. Maybe.” He downed the contents of his mug in one gulp.

“Are you still investigating what happened to the prince?”

“Persistent as ever, I see.” His indulgent expression turned serious. “Yes, I’m investigating.
Quietly.
I’ve notified the palace, but the king and queen both felt it was best to leave this matter to me and not involve the Interstellar Council.”

“I want to know what you discover, Daddy.”

“Why?”

“Maybe I’ll venture into investigations or bounty hunting. Maybe I’m just curious.”

“And maybe you just don’t want to tell me your reasons.” Grave chuckled. “But I’ll keep you posted anyway. Now I want to talk about you. Word has spread about your retirement. Have you made any plans for your future?”

“I think I’m going to spend a little time doing nothing. I want to eat all the foods I couldn’t in the palace and wear clothes in all the colors I’ve missed. I’d like to see what’s been happening outside of the
palace walls, and reorient myself to society.” She smiled. “Then, I’ll figure out what to do with myself.”

Setting his hand atop hers, he gave an encouraging squeeze. “I think it’s wise that you’re taking time to find your bearings, instead of leaping without knowing where you’re going. Do you have an idea of where your other interests lie?”

“Not yet. Maybe I’ll make use of my training. Or teach. I haven’t decided yet.”

“You were always good with stratagems. I could send over training plans and you can help assemble some manuals.”

“Truly?”

“Yes, truly.” He gave her an affectionate smile. “It’ll be a good excuse for me to stop by more often. I was rarely able to see you when you were in the palace.”

Sapphire threw her arms around her father’s neck, upsetting his empty mug, but he didn’t mind, as evidenced by the crushing embrace he returned.

“Now show me around this palace of yours,” he said with a laugh. “So I can brag about it to anyone who will listen.”

It was much later when Wulfric was summoned to Sapphire’s office.

“I believe this is yours.” She leaned over the desk, and set his signet ring on the edge. Her demeanor was distant and rushed.

He moved slowly to retrieve the ring, betraying none of his relief. “Thank you,” he murmured. Now his freedom was assured.

She spun her chair to the side and waved him
away in a dismissive gesture. She seemed distracted, lost in thought.

Wulf knew he should leave. Not just the room as she had indicated, but the entire country. The ring she returned to him was by itself just a ring and even close examination would reveal nothing suspicious. But when the talgorite was in contact with his body, it worked in conjunction with the nanotach. Together, they could transfer him instantly to his palace in D’Ashier and back to this place if he chose, as long as the signal wasn’t blocked.

In the blink of an eye, this could all be over. One or more of his concubines could assuage the lust that weighed heavily between his legs. He’d been on patrol too long. He was a man of a healthy sexual appetite and his powerful desire for Sapphire was due only to his long abstinence. Surely, that was the only reason…

“I want you,” he said before he could stop himself.

Sapphire tensed visibly at the sound of his voice, low and throbbing with desire. He watched her closely, noting the exact moment her eyes softened and her lips parted in response to his hunger. They had an undeniable affinity, despite the many things that stood between them.

“I should release you,” she whispered.

“You should, but you won’t. You’ve gone to too much trouble to keep me.”

“You need a woman.” She looked away. “All the
mästares
do. I’ve arranged for some of the fourth-year Sensual Arts students to visit a few days a week. They will arrive this evening. I think you’ll be pleased. They’re—”

“I don’t want someone else. I want
you
.”

Resignation crossed her lovely features. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Being inside you is all I can think about.” And when he was thinking about her, he wasn’t thinking about the cave. No other woman could do that. Maybe later, but not now.

“Sex between us would only complicate matters, Wulf, not make them easier. If you started thinking with your head rather than your cock, you’d admit I’m right.”

“You’re an insolent creature.” Something he wouldn’t have thought he’d find arousing. But did.

“And you’re not ruler here. If you want to command, go home.”

Wulfric drew air deep into his lungs. No one ever spoke to him as she did. She had no fear and refused to display the respect that was due a man of his station. All that fire and passion…He wanted to sink into it and forget everything else.

As he strode toward her, Sapphire remained still, relaxed in her chair.

“One time will never be enough,” she warned softly.

He stopped.

“Already, you no longer desire other women. Do you really believe that will change once you’ve bedded me?”

“You’re vain,” he said without heat. “Don’t confuse me with your besotted king.”

“That would be impossible.” She laughed and the throaty sound rippled down his spine. “I’m not speaking out of vanity, and you know it. You think I
don’t feel the attraction between us? If you’re even half as good in bed as you look, I’ll want more. And I’m not without skills of my own. You would enjoy me immensely. You suspect how good it could be, that’s why the thought of other women is so unappealing. When was the last time you desired a woman who wasn’t interchangeable with another?”

His cock hardened further. Her bold challenge excited him. “Never,” he admitted. Staring at her, he felt as if she was some new, previously undiscovered species. “Do you ever not say exactly what’s on your mind?”

“I’ve spent the last five years never saying what I thought. I didn’t like it and vowed never to do it again.”

His smile was predatory. “Then allow me to be as honest with you. Unless you refuse me outright, I
will
have you.”

“You have another life to return to.”

“I’d say let’s hurry, but I have no intention of doing that.”

She rubbed at the space between her brows. “This is crazy.”

“Isn’t it?” He was glad that it was, and grateful that his heart raced and his stomach was clenched tight in anticipation.
He was alive.
A miracle in itself and he wanted to celebrate that with her.

“Arrogant bastard.” She glared at him.

Wulf moved around the desk and growled when she spread her legs, revealing her glistening sex beneath the short hem of her dress. She was as ready as he was. He reached for the drawstring at his waist.

“No.”

His fingers stilled.

She pointed to the floor at her feet. “On your knees, Prince Wulfric. If you’re so eager, you may pleasure me with your mouth.”

Frozen mid-step, he stared at her. Sapphire was going to fight him every step of the way. He searched her face, judging the strength of her resolve. He groaned inwardly at the obstinate set of her jaw and the defiant gleam in her eyes.

The prince in him was affronted at being ordered to forgo his own pleasure to service hers. But the part of him that was pure primitive male smelled her arousal and knew it was his to take. The two sides battled for only a moment.

A war of wills—it was a new and highly intriguing situation for him, a man who’d never had his will challenged in his lifetime.

After years of war and months on patrol, Wulf knew how to deny his baser needs, but he seemed unable to do so now. His ego chafed at the loss of control; his body ignored it in favor of the animal attraction that flowed thick and hot through his veins.

He decided then to use all of his considerable skill, charm, and physical attributes to make Sapphire burn as he did.

Lifting his gaze from between her legs, Wulf met her dark eyes with a raised brow. “So intimate an introduction should be preceded by a kiss, don’t you think?”

Her face clouded with uncertainty for just a moment before she hid her emotions behind a
cool mask of indifference. She rose from her chair with a mysterious smile.

“What a lovely idea.” Her tone set him on edge. He was left wondering if he’d won the engagement or lost it.

They moved toward each other, every step increasing the sharp awareness between them. When she reached him, she placed her palms against the rippled ridges of his abdomen, then slid them slowly around to caress the corded length of his back.

Her touch was electric, her scent intoxicating. In the days since the ambush, he’d avoided any contact with the other
mästares
, making a wide berth when passing to avoid even a fleeting contact. The thought of anyone touching his skin made his stomach knot, but Sapphire’s touch was like warm silk—healing and soothing.

He drew her to him, holding his breath as her full breasts flattened against his chest and the heavy weight of his erection pressed into the softness of her belly. His nostrils filled with the scent of Draxian lilies and he buried his face in her hair to catch more of it.