Mystic Militia (17 page)

“What is a social alliance?”

“Ask Lor to explain it to you.”

As if summoned by their conversation, Lor flashed into the small yard. He started toward the bungalow then spun around. “How long has he been here?”

“Hello to you too.”
Odintar didn’t seem offended by Lor’s rudeness.

“We learned the reason for the elders’ silence regarding my father,” Lor blurted. “They poisoned him. He’s dying.”

“I’m sorry.” Odintar sounded sincere. “Death is never easy. Family members are the worst, except for maybe life mates.”

“At least we understand it now.” Lor sighed, clearly still struggling with his shock. “Did Trey send you?”

“He did. Kris, Dekker and Sid will be the military half of the crew. Have you decided on the final Mystic?”

“I was hoping Blayne
cet
Malaque
would be willing to go, but I haven’t spoken with him yet.”

“You’ve been busy.” Odintar winked at Tori then drained his ale. “Blayne’s a good man. I’ve worked with him before.”

“Is the
Sentinel
still on schedule?”

“Afraid not.”
Odintar paused and then smiled. “She docked a short time ago. Director
dar
Aune said she’ll be restocked and ready for departure late tomorrow morning.”

“Good. I can’t wait to get back to Earth. I need an outlet for my frustration.”

“Understandable. If Blayne turns you down, let me know. He swore he’d never go back to Earth after our last mission, but he owes me one.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.” Odintar smiled at Tori and added, “Sleep well.” Then he flashed out of sight.

Lor didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go inside, yet he didn’t join her at the table. “So we’ll head back tomorrow morning?”

“Yes.” He moved to about the same place Odintar had been standing and leaned his back against the tree trunk. It must be a guy thing, the need to keep something solid at their backs.

She waited for him to say something else, but he just stood there in brooding silence.

Wow. This would be a long night if he kept this up.

“Before we become any closer, there are some things you need to know.”

She’d learned everything she needed to know when he opened the empathic link. She was in love with Lor dar Joon, even if she was too much of a coward to say the words. “Are you an intergalactic fugitive?”

Her attempt at humor fell flat. He didn’t even roll his eyes. “The Great Conflict began as a clan war between the House of Aune and the House of Joon. Well, it was also a clash of ideals, but that’s not what’s important to this conversation. Several of my ancestors played pivotal roles in the events.”

She hated his formality and the fact that he wouldn’t look at her. They had gained such ground. She would not let it all slip away. “My grandmother was from Mississippi, so it’s likely I have ancestors who fought on the wrong side of the Civil War. Does that make you love me any less?”

His gaze snapped to hers and the rotation slowed until she was staring into endless pools of liquid turquois. “Did your ancestors
start
the Civil War?” When she didn’t reply, he continued. “By pivotal role I mean one of my ancestors unleashed the biological weapon that brought the Ontarian race to the brink of extinction. A more accurate parallel would be if I were a Jew and you were a direct descendent of Adolph Hitler.”

Now she understood the guilt and rage that were woven through his inner self. Her need to ease his pain was unbearable. She stood and approached him slowly, fearing he’d turn away. “You are not to blame for your father’s crimes much less those of your ancestors.”

“Many Ontarians don’t see it that way.” The bitter edge had left his voice; now he just sounded tired. “Those who don’t fear the House of Joon despise us.”

“So change your name.” She framed his face with her hands and stared into his eyes. “Free yourself from the past. You are not your father or your forefathers. You are an honorable man.”

He drew her hands downward, but allowed her to place them on his shoulders. “I’m not worried about me. I’ve lived with it my entire life.” He glanced away and emotion thickened his voice again. “If you and I form any sort of alliance, you will become the target of ridicule. I can’t allow that.”

“You don’t have a choice.” She rocked to the balls of her feet and kissed him, allowing her lips to express all the tenderness swelling within her heart.
I love you, Lor dar Joon and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

He pulled her tighter against his body and deepened the kiss.
I can think of all sorts of things I’d like to do about it.

His bawdy claim made her remember Odintar’s warning about six men on a ship with an unclaimed woman. She eased back without moving out of his arms. “Odintar said something about a social alliance. What was he talking about?”

His entire body tensed and his gaze narrowed dangerously. “Odintar asked you to declare a social alliance? I’ll kill him.”

“No.” She chuckled at his emotional pendulum swing. “He said I should declare a social alliance with you before six men get me alone on a spaceship.”

“He’s right.” He reached down with one hand and boldly cupped her behind. “If I have no official claim to you, the others will feel free to pursue you.”

“So how do we make your claim official and are Ontarian claims permanent?”

“There are two kinds of relationships on Ontariese.” He chuckled. “Actually there are countless kinds, but only two are official. The social alliance is a temporary monogamist relationship. All other males know the female is off limits until the social alliance ends.”

It sounded like the social alliance landed somewhere between friends with benefits and dating. “What’s the other official relationship?”

“Life mates.
That requires a permanent bond and a lifelong commitment. Tal and Charlotte are life mates.”

She didn’t miss the wistfulness in his voice. Clearly his long-term goal was to find a life mate. “So if we declare a social alliance, the crew will consider me taken?”

“You’re taken either way. The social alliance will simply make it official.”

“All right.
So what do we need to do?”

He moved his hands to her hips then pulled her pelvis flush with his. Even through his thick robe his erection was obvious. “Say, ‘I declare a social alliance with Lor dar Joon.’”

She licked her lips. This suddenly felt like a wedding. God, she hoped there’d be a wedding night. “I declare a social alliance with Lor dar Joon.”

“I declare a social alliance with Victoria Logan.” He pulled her up along his body until their lips were on a level. “Now you’re officially mine.” And then he kissed her.

* * * * *

“Why don’t we take a shower? I think you could use a little relaxation.”

Lor bit back his angry response and took a deep breath. Tori didn’t deserve his temper. She’d been wonderfully patient with him all evening, tirelessly trying to improve his mood. “Go ahead. I’m not very good company right now.”

“That’s why I suggested the shower.” She smiled and drew her tunic up above her waist, showing a narrow strip of tone midriff. “Let’s get naked.”

“I can’t be gentle right now. You don’t deserve what I’d give you.”

She pulled her top off and walked toward him, breasts gently swaying. “Let me decide what I deserve. Maybe I like it rough.”

She had no idea what she was asking. How could she know the dark impulses and ravening hunger he battled on a daily basis. Tal’s training had taught him control and self-discipline, but Lor’s Joon blood ran deep. He came from a long line of conquerors, men who took what they wanted without hesitation or regret. His dark nature had surged as he realized he would soon lead the House of Joon. He hadn’t felt this…aggressive in a very long time.

He fisted his hands at his sides. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. You need this and I want to give it you.” She placed her hand over his pounding heart. “Let me comfort you. Please.”

Without even realizing he’d moved, his fist was suddenly tangled in her hair.
“Pants off.”
She responded to the command instantly, pushing them down and kicking them aside. She wasn’t wearing shoes or socks. Or undergarments, he realized as his gaze moved over her naked flesh. “I want your mouth.”

She sank to her knees and parted her lips.

Desire, hot and demanding swelled within him. Her sweet submission excited him beyond bearing. He released her hair long enough to get rid of his robe. He kicked off his sandals and paused to look at her. Her hands rested on her thighs and she watched him with wide, uncertain eyes. “You’re right. I could never hurt you, but I can’t hold back tonight. My emotions are too raw. Are you sure you want this?”

Rather than words, she opened her legs and parted her lips.

Lor had to look away. She was so beautiful just the sight nearly snapped his control.

Determined to at least start out slow, he moved closer and angled his cock toward her mouth. She grasped his shaft and closed her lips around the tip, sucking firmly as her fist pumped lower. It felt like paradise and yet it fueled the fire already raging inside him.

“Just your mouth.”
He pulled her hand away from his erection then guided both her arms up and bent her elbows. “Lock your fingers behind your head.”

Her gaze narrowed in confusion, but she did as he directed, taking on a completely passive role.

Her helplessness allowed him to slow down, to savor her surrender as well as keep the fire from burning out of control. He caressed her face as he slid in and out of her mouth. She kept her lips snug and her head angled slightly back.

He watched her eyes, needing to know she wasn’t overwhelmed by his need.

Open the link, Lor. I want to feel you.

He hesitated, dreading her reaction to his feral side. She’d only glimpsed hints of the abuse he’d endured as a child and the destruction created by his family. The Joons were evil tyrants who had slaughtered millions on the altar of pride and ambition. He shook his head, unable to expose her to the darkness.
Not tonight.

She lowered her arms and rocked back onto her heels, releasing him in the process. “Don’t hide from me. You’ve seen all of me. You know my insecurities and fears. Share this with me. I want to know all of you.”

He pulled her to her feet and kissed her brutally, allowing her to taste his savagery. She opened for him, clinging to him as she accepted every aggressive thrust of his tongue and harsh nip of his teeth. “It’s too soon.”

“No. It’s not. Either you trust me or you don’t.”

He growled against her damp lips. “Those words will come back to haunt you.” He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His mouth claimed hers again as he shoved her up against the nearest wall. Their torsos meshed and he squeezed her ass cheeks, thrilled by the resilient flesh.

Supporting her with one arm, he slipped his other hand between their bodies and tested her readiness. Her slit was soaking wet, slick and hot, more than ready. He pushed two fingers up inside her and found her clit with his thumb.

“Come for me.” She rested the back of her head against the wall and panted. “You’re not getting my cock until you come.”

She tightened her inner muscles and wiggled as much as she could while sandwiched between him and the wall. “I don’t think I can,” she cried.

“You will.” She stilled at his assertive tone and closed her eyes. He needed her to obey, to trust him with her pleasure. Her breasts quivered from her harsh breathing. The temptation was more than Lor could resist. He bent and captured one pink tip between his teeth. He applied pressure gradually, sucking her into his mouth as soon as she cried out.

Her pussy fluttered around his fingers, but he was pretty sure she was still holding on, stubbornly clinging to the last of her control. “Open your eyes.” She did. “Know me as I know you.” He gradually opened their link and saturated her mind with his inferno.

Tori screamed as Lor blazed into her mind. She came hard, arching nearly off his fingers as lust, fury and possessive hunger combined in a terrifying cocktail. His hands moved to her ass and he thrust his cock deep into her still pulsing body. Another wave of pleasure crashed over her, but she wasn’t sure if she came again or if it was the longest orgasm of her life.

He’d warned her that his emotions were raw, but she’d never imagined anything this intense. He was so angry and yet his desire for understanding was every bit as strong. He didn’t want to frighten her, much less hurt her and still he pounded into her like a madman.

She clung to him, surrendered and still, offering her body like a healing balm. He wasn’t gentle. She hadn’t expected him to be, but she also hadn’t expected the emotional tempest raging within him. How did he ever manage to appear calm with all of these emotions tearing him apart?

He pulled her away from the wall and took her down to the floor. Her legs still draped his arms and he knelt between her open thighs. He thrust even harder now and her body responded to the seer carnality of his claiming. She arched off the floor and cried out as another orgasm tore through her.