Authors: Olivia March
Helion wasted no time in gating to Arthaneas, feeling at
home the moment he entered the courtyard of High Commander Bron’s headquarters.
It wasn’t his home but the smell of the air and the tranquility filling it,
redolent of the smell of fragrant blossoms heavy in the cool breeze, all
reminded him of his own kingdom. How he missed home. The wars against the Scourge
seemed endless and every time he rested, he wondered when he’d be back where he
belonged once again.
His homecoming now would be even sweeter, with a mate and
two children. His fears that his parents wouldn’t accept the union were as
nothing now Gwen was with child. King Louran, his father, could do nothing but welcome
her, and with joy, since the little mother was carrying his first and only
grandchild. All that needed doing was to finish the campaign against the
Scourge and then he could bring his mate and their children to Arloren and
settle into domestic bliss with them. Helion could hardly wait.
But first Commander Melithan was waiting for him in the
courtyard. Helion nodded to him and fell into step next to him as they walked
through a corridor toward Bron’s war room. It was more of an enclosed garden.
Like all Keepers, Bron found peace and a steadiness of mind while surrounded by
nature, so conducted all his meetings in the outdoors. A few twists and turns
found the two silent Commanders arriving in the garden where Bron was already
seated behind a massive desk under the shade of an ancient tree.
“Ah, Commander Helion, Commander Melithan. I bid you
welcome.” Bron stood as he spoke, dipping his head, right hand over his heart
in the way of their people. Helion and Melithan mimicked the greeting, then sat
down in the chairs across from Bron’s desk.
“Very well then, Commander Helion, why have you called this
meeting? I trust it’s important, to bring both you and Commander Melithan from
the field.”
“Yes, High Commander, the issues I am bringing forth are of
great importance. I will start by saying that last night I engaged a large
contingent of Scourge who were heading right for my camp as if they knew where
to find it. That in itself was suspicious enough but my sensory Keeper,
Mithrain, detected the threat and we were able to call on Commander Melithan to
reinforce us and defeat the Scourge. However, during the course of the battle,
a large party of Scourge were able to not only penetrate the veil over our camp
but quickly located and attacked my tent, where I have housed a human female
and her daughter.”
High Commander Bron’s eyebrows shot upward at the last.
“You have a human female and child living in your tent,
Commander? What do you mean by that?” Bron’s voice was hard, demanding Helion
give a full accounting.
“We found the female on an earlier attack against the
Scourge. She was holed up in a small room, surrounded by the filth. My men and
I rescued her and had plans to take her to a refugee camp but at the mention of
one she became terrified. I couldn’t take her to a place that made her reek of
fear. Nor could I leave her to fend for herself against the Scourge. She has no
fighting ability. The only solution was to bring her back to camp with us.”
Helion felt the insane urge to squirm under his Commander’s
stern eye. He was an old, experienced Keeper but in that regard Bron surpassed
him by far and somehow could still make him feel like a stripling.
“Why do I get the feeling there is more to that situation
than you are telling me, Commander Helion?”
Helion could feel the tension in Melithan as he sat next to
him. Melithan wouldn’t out him on his physical relationship with Gwen but
Helion had no intention of keeping it a secret, in any case. He wanted to shout
his mate’s name from every rooftop in Arthaneas, his heart quickening with
pride and exultation whenever he thought of her. Bron’s mercurial eyes showed
none of his thoughts but there was a wealth of ferocity in his body language.
Now was clearly the time for complete truth.
“I won’t prevaricate, High Commander. I’ve mated the female.
I intend to marry her and against all odds we have made new life together, a
son. She has a daughter of her own as well, whom I will now claim as mine.”
Helion waited, outwardly at ease but under his skin
extremely tense. He hadn’t missed the widening of Bron’s eyes at the news of
his mate’s pregnancy before the expression was wiped away. He met Bron’s silver
gaze without hesitation, willing to fight for his right to keep Gwen and their
children in his life.
“You are certain of this, Commander Helion? You know our
species doesn’t interbreed. It’s been tried before, with our allies the
shifters and the wizards. Is it possible this female was impregnated by a human
male before you had her?”
Bron’s voice was even but Helion could hear his skepticism.
He didn’t blame him not believing. He had had doubts when Nathal had delivered
the news. But Helion had faith in Nathal, an exceptionally gifted healer, a
Keeper he trusted wholeheartedly with his own life and those of his men.
“There is no doubt, High Commander. Healer Nathal has performed
the deep scan. Lady Gwen’s body took my seed and now carries my son, a child
Nathal assures me is Keeper, not human. He needs my essence to survive,
something human babes apparently do not require.”
“Do not require?” Melithan broke in, his voice intrigued. “How
could they not require essence? How do their offspring grow strong and healthy?”
“The lady Gwen informed me the health of the child is
dependent on the actions of the mother. Eating the proper foods and resting, and
so on. In fact, she mentioned many males on earth don’t even remain with their
women when they conceive. She spoke from experience on this. The father of her
daughter apparently left her once she informed him he was to be a father.”
Melithan and Bron both wore incredulous expressions now.
Helion could hardly believe it himself. On Arthaneas, one of the greatest joys
in life was to be a husband and a father. If a female Keeper got with child, it
was a glorious event for all. The pregnant mothers were pampered and adored,
the children loved and cherished.
“This is significant news indeed, Commander Helion. I will
relay it to the lords of the council. I’m sure word of mouth will see it
reaching the foot soldiers around Earth but I will inform the other Commanders
so they can inform their men of the possible consequences of a dalliance. What
other news?”
“As I stated, it seemed as if the Scourge knew where to find
my camp and where exactly to find my tent. On top of that, my sensory Keeper,
Mithrain, has been missing since the battle. I can only conclude there is a
traitor in my camp, that he led that large contingent of Scourge to our
location and when thwarted killed Mithrain to ensure the success of his future
plans. Not having a sensory Keeper makes us more vulnerable to surprise
attacks, especially if the traitor brings them to our camp in such huge
numbers.”
High Commander Bron’s face went from impassive to full-on
rage in the space of a heartbeat.
“You cannot be suggesting one of your men, a warrior Keeper
of Arthaneas, has betrayed our people and joined the Scourge.” The air fairly
vibrated with Bron’s rage. The idea of any Keeper siding with the monsters who’d
attacked their home world and countless others was too outrageous to be
believed.
“I didn’t want to believe it myself, High Commander, but too
many incidences add up to one of my men being a traitor. A very conniving one
at that. I cannot think of a single Keeper under my command who has been at all
discontent or furtive. I treat my men well and they respect me fully. But there
can be no mistake, not when you consider this large-scale sneak attack and
Mithrain’s disappearance.”
Helion gave his Commander a minute to compose himself. Bron’s
chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to get himself under control. He had a
temper to rival just about any other’s. When they found this traitor, he would
suffer untold agonies before he was allowed to die. Before he was allowed to
die very, very slowly.
“What do you need, Commander?” he barked out, still
struggling to contain his rage.
“I asked Commander Melithan here to this meeting because I
no longer have a sensory Keeper and there is a traitor in my camp. I’d like to
join forces with him, if he’s amenable. I cannot quit the field before my
mission is complete but now I am down a valuable part of my team and I have
much to protect. On top of that, with my mate breeding, I can’t go more than a
few hours from her side, so all the missions I lead will need to be fast,
brutal strikes not too far from camp. Combining forces with Melithan would give
me the added security to protect my new family as well as providing us with
access to a sensory Keeper who could detect any Scourge the traitor might lead
toward camp.”
“If this traitor killed one sensory Keeper, I wouldn’t put
it past him to kill another. My sensory Keeper is still young, Commander
Helion. This is his first campaign against the Scourge. I’m amenable to joining
our forces but extra precautions will need to be taken so my warrior isn’t
eliminated as well.”
Commander Melithan looked outwardly composed, except for his
eyes. Those red eyes burned with searing heat, the idea of a Keeper betraying,
and killing, his comrades almost upsetting his composure. He clearly wanted to
kill something, which Helion would be happy to assist with as soon as he got
back to Earth. The Scourge would regret the day they turned a Keeper warrior to
their side.
“I understand, Commander Melithan, that occurred to me as
well. I have an exceptional shadow Keeper under my command. On top of whatever
protections you want to provide for your warrior, I will assign Nefarion to
shadow him at all times. The traitor will soon come to regret it if he makes
any moves toward your sensor, I guarantee that.”
It was true, Nefarion was one of the most skilled shadow
Keepers Helion had ever known. But also knowing Nefarion’s penchant for
enjoying giving Helion grief, Helion fully intended to make his instructions
extremely explicit this time. If Nefarion failed him on this mission, he’d show
the cocky bastard the business end of his sword.
“That’s settled then. Commander Helion, I give you
permission to relocate your camp to join with Commander Melithan’s. Your area
is compromised and you shouldn’t linger there. Once you clear through the state
of Kentucky, you will move north to Indiana. I will see to it the Commanders
around your areas are fully aware of the situation, in case you need emergency reinforcements.
Commander Helion, I want weekly reports on the progress of your mate’s
pregnancy to pass on to the council. And you will find this traitor and bring
him to me.”
High Commander Bron’s tone brooked no refusal but Helion was
tempted to gainsay him anyway. The traitor was one of his men, meaning Helion
should by right be the one to interrogate and execute him. But the High
Commander’s orders were law.
“As you wish, High Commander,” he replied tightly, standing
to execute a brief bow before turning to leave. He saw Commander Melithan do
the same and follow him out of the courtyard.
They walked in silence for a moment, both deep in their own
thoughts. Melithan couldn’t keep his musings to himself for long, however.
“You really bred the human female, Helion? It just seems so…unlikely.
Humans are so frail and weak compared to Keepers. I had my doubts we could even
share sex with them, but breeding too?”
“Not just breeding, Melithan. I made the lady mine just a
day ago. I took her only a handful of times and she took my seed and made it
grow. The little mother has owned my thoughts and obsessed my cock since the
day I met her but I never expected this. Now I have a mate and a daughter and a
son on the way. I’m more blessed than I can express.”
Melithan looked pensive as he considered Helion’s words. A
mate. Children. Helion knew Melithan craved these things as well. Even on their
own planet, the women were scared of him. What chance did he have a human
female could see past the red eyes of her nightmares, on top of a hulking body
and hair as dark as pitch? What fragile human female would want to put her life
in his hands? Helion did not feel the cause was hopeless, but he couldn’t blame
Melithan for having doubts.
“You know where to find my camp, Commander Helion. I’ll have
a segment cleared for your arrival. Do not tarry. We need to make sure your
little family is locked down tight. No Scourge will get so close to them again,
my vow.”
“Thank you, my friend, I welcome all the assistance you can
give. Together we’ll make the Scourge sorry they ever came to this planet. And
when my son is born, I will make you his Guardian.”
Helion bowed and extended his hand to Melithan. When
Melithan took it with his own, the vow was sealed.
When Gwen came to, she was tucked up in bed, the after-effects
of her orgasms giving her limbs an amazing lassitude. She felt happy, content
and satisfied, emotions she hadn’t felt in many months. In no hurry to open her
eyes, Gwen smiled when she heard Evie’s happy grunts as Verdun played with her.
Before long she would have two children to marvel over and love, a fact she
could still hardly believe was true.
Gwen reached down a hand and stroked it over her abdomen. If
Nathal was right, Helion’s son was growing in there. If he was anything like
his father, he’d grow strong and confident and could be Evie’s protector and
confidant. That did a lot to soothe the worry constantly in her heart for Evie.
For months the knowledge that if anything happened to her, Evie would be
defenseless had worn her down. Now she would have a brother and she would have
Helion.
Helion. He was an honorable man. Gwen felt positive no
matter what feelings he had for her, Helion would take care of his son and by
extension his son’s sister, if anything should happen to Gwen. It was
comforting, but also not…quite enough. Over the last few days Gwen had gotten
to watch him, share meals with him, have conversations with him. And when they’d
shared their bodies, the feelings she’d been forming for him had coalesced into
pure, blinding love.
She hadn’t told him she loved him. And he hadn’t told her.
Gwen knew he desired her. Considering how sore her body was, that fact was not
in doubt. He was protective and solicitous of her needs. Helion was her
protector and her lover and now the father of her child. But what were his
feelings? She couldn’t even begin to guess.
“My lady, how are you feeling?”
Gwen opened her eyes and saw Nathal standing by the bed. His
lavender eyes really were quite stunning, particularly so paired with the dove-gray
of his hair. Gray hair on her planet usually indicated advanced age but Nathal
looked vital and in his prime. Gwen secretly hoped he wouldn’t want to examine
her…intimately any time soon. She’d always had a female gynecologist and a
female OB for Evie’s delivery. Was there anything more horrifying than having
an attractive male between your knees clinically examining your private areas?
“I feel fine, Nathal,” she finally answered, starting to sit
up. It was then she realized she was still one hundred percent naked and
quickly lay flat again, her cheeks on fire.
“Verdun has a bath and a meal ready for you. You need to eat
well, to keep up your strength. We will leave you for a little while so you may
bathe in peace.”
Verdun stood with Evie and both he and Nathal bowed deeply
to her, leaving bemusement in their wake as they exited the tent. Both Keepers
had always been respectful, had always been kind and always nodded to her when
they came or left. That deep-bowing thing was new though. Shrugging, Gwen
hopped out of bed and rushed through her bath. She really wanted to eat and if
Helion returned while she was naked and bathing, then who knew when she’d be
able to clean up again.
Before long, clean, stomach full, Gwen sat on Helion’s bed
with Evelyn and gave her food as well. Verdun always seemed to just know when
the time was right to return with her precious girl. Too bad he was such a
badass warrior, he could make a killing as a nanny. The image of Verdun taking care
of babies all day brought a smile to her face and then a small chuckle to her
lips. And with a start, Gwen realized just how happy she was.
She’d been so obsessed with, well, obsessing about Helion
she hadn’t really stopped to appreciate the other things she was feeling. They
had a warm tent to sleep in, comfortable beds, Verdun to see to their every
need and Nathal to monitor their health. They had good food to eat every night
and protection from the Scourge all around them. Despite her worry about the
relationship with Helion, this was truly the happiest she’d been in so long.
Gwen was still playing with her content little girl when she
heard a minor commotion outside the tent. Her breath caught when Helion came
striding commandingly through the doorway, once again fully decked out in all
that impressive armor, his hair perfectly arranged, his weapons gleaming and
deadly. His eyes immediately locked with hers, assessing, slightly
intimidating. But mostly possessive.
“Little mother, we have much to discuss. How fare our
children?”
One of Gwen’s eyebrows lifted at that but since several of
his men had followed him inside the tent, she decided not to question his
phraseology.
“Evie is happy as a clam, Commander, and Nathal told me the
new baby is doing fine.”
Helion nodded, then walked to the nearby table. He held out a
chair with one hand, beckoning Gwen with the other. Every Keeper in the tent
was watching her, saw her hesitate before climbing off the bed with Evie and
sitting in the chair Helion held for her. Helion took the seat next to her,
after moving it far too close to her own for comfort. He compounded the lack of
space by casually putting his arm around her shoulders.
“Little mother, I’ve just returned from a meeting with our
High Commander. This latest attack from the Scourge was an anomaly. They
shouldn’t have been able to find our camp, much less get right to my tent. On
top of that, Mithrain has been missing since the battle. Mithrain’s special
sensory abilities alerted us to the Scourge attack before they could take us by
surprise. Can you guess what that means?”
Gwen stared at him for a moment, working out the
possibilities in her head.
“I see two possible scenarios. Though I think it unlikely,
Mithrain could have betrayed you all and left before his deceit could be found
out. Or, more likely, there’s a traitor somewhere in your camp and he killed
the threat to his plans.”
When Helion smiled at her, Gwen nearly smiled in return. She
hated herself for it, but a weak, female part of her basked in his approval.
Gwen wanted him to see her as more of an equal, if not in physical strength,
then at least in intellect.
“Mithrain would never have betrayed me. You are correct.
There is a traitor in our camp and with Mithrain gone, most likely dead, our
camp is now vulnerable to more of these surprise attacks. I won’t risk you, our
children or my men with those circumstances. High Commander Bron has approved
my unit to join forces with Commander Melithan’s camp. We will have greater
numbers and access to a sensory Keeper.”
“So we’re packing up camp? When do we leave?” It seemed such
a large undertaking, Helion had over three hundred warriors in the camp, with
well over one hundred tents and a lot of equipment.
“Yes, little mother, we will be leaving shortly, in about an
hour. Verdun will organize the packing of this tent. I will need you to gather
your and Evelyn’s belongings. You will both need to dress warmly as we will be
lightstepping for many miles to reach Melithan’s camp. Go on and get started
and call for Verdun if you need any help.”
Gwen nodded and stood, happy enough to get away from all
those watchful eyes around the table. She heard Helion address them all in low
tones but didn’t try to eavesdrop. They were joining forces with another camp,
adding to their numbers and the protection for her and Evie. That could only be
to the good, especially if there was a traitor in Helion’s camp. A traitor who
had probably killed Mithrain. Poor Mithrain. He’d been so gentle to her, so compassionate.
Such a tragic waste of a life, to be felled not even by the enemy, but by one
of his own.
“We move out in one hour, men. I want no traces of us left
in this area so make sure nothing is left behind. Our pace to Commander
Melithan’s will be swift. I don’t trust this traitor not to have arranged
another attack quickly and I want my mate and children safe inside Mithrain’s
shield. You’re my guard and you’ll protect them with your lives, understood?”
Gwen saw the solemn nods ripple around the table and felt
her heart melt a little. She was confident in the loyalty of every Keeper
present and it warmed her to know they took her and Evie’s protection so
seriously. Whoever the traitor was, he couldn’t interact a lot with Helion, or Gwen
felt confident Helion would have noticed his deceit. That scum’s days were
numbered and as bloodthirsty as it was, Gwen could not wait for him to get his
comeuppance.
“Very well, you’re dismissed. Meet back here in one hour to
take up your posts.”
His guards all stood and bowed to him, then bowed to a
bemused Gwen before swiftly leaving the tent. Helion turned to her and stood watching
as she changed and dressed Evelyn before leaving her to play on the bed while
she put a warm sweater on herself and started packing their meager belongings.
Suddenly, Helion left his position and approached her.
Though he’d been gone a short time, the truth was Gwen had him always in her thoughts
and she’d missed him. Perhaps he’d missed her as well, because he came to stand
behind her where she was stuffing clothes in her bag and bent down to wrap his
arms around her waist, nuzzling her hair with his lips. Gwen tensed but a
moment later relaxed into him, molding her curves to his hardness.
They stayed like that for several moments, both oblivious to
Verdun’s busyness around the tent, oblivious to everything except each other. Gwen
basked in Helion’s smell, redolent of pine and the forest, enjoying the feel of
his hardness behind her. His lips teased her neck, causing a sudden spike in
her heartrate, and breathy sighs. Now wasn’t the time for dalliance, but soon…
“I will protect you and our children, little mother, never
doubt it. When this is all over, I’ll take you to my home. We’ll be married and
raise our offspring away from the death and destruction. Your life and those of
our children will never be at risk again, you have my vow.”
Gwen stilled at Helion’s words. One moment she’d been
soaking in the tenderness Helion was offering her and the next he was making
promises for their future. But…it wasn’t enough. Was it? If he didn’t love her,
could she take what he was offering, a safe haven for her children in exchange
for uprooting their entire lives to live in a strange world? If it really was a
safe haven, though, how could she not? But at what cost, if Helion didn’t love
her in return?
Her silence must have disturbed Helion, because he tensed
and pulled his arms away. Gwen kept her head lowered, not wanting to see the
look in his questioning eyes. This was a lot to think about and she couldn’t
let him intimidate her before she thought it all through.
“Verdun, leave us. I’ll call you when it’s safe to return.”
Gwen flinched a little but didn’t argue when Verdun detoured
to the bed and scooped Evelyn out of the line of fire. It was a habit at this
point, to let Verdun take her daughter away before she had yet another
disagreement with her protector. And the tone of voice she’d just heard told
her there was a storm brewing. At least Helion liked to conduct these arguments
in privacy. That was a small mercy.
“You’re very silent, mate,” Helion drawled, strolling around
until he stood in front of her. “Do my plans not meet with your approval?”
Gwen had to crane her neck back quite far to meet his eyes
but she did it.
“These are big changes you’re suggesting, Helion. Is it so
wrong I would want to think them over before I respond?”
Helion eyed her for a moment, then stepped back and perched
on the end of the bed, putting them closer to mutual eye level. His face was
impassive and his eyes were their normal shade, which allowed Gwen to breathe a
little easier. When those eyes sparked with flame, that was when she was in
trouble.
“Perhaps you will tell me what reservations you are having,
so they can be dealt with,” he replied in his calm, almost bored, tone of
voice.
But Gwen wasn’t fooled. Boredom was very far from what
Helion was feeling. She was treading in dangerous waters.
“I just… This is a lot of pressure, Helion. We’ve only known
each other such a short time. Hell, we’ve only been intimate over the last
couple days. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve known plenty of married couples that
accidentally had a kid together and married to give the child a family. But
those marriages are hard-pressed to last. If things don’t work out between us,
I don’t want to be in a foreign world, trying to support my family in such a
strange place.”
Helion’s eyes widened slightly at her words, then narrowed.
His arms came up and crossed over his chest, though thankfully he made no move
to leave his perch on the bed. Helion’s expression gave nothing away but Gwen
knew instinctively she’d upset him with her words, so she scrambled to explain.
“Please understand, Helion, it’s not like I want whatever
this is between us to fail. But in my country, divorce is obscenely common. Couples
fall in and out of love all the time and end their relationships every day.”
Helion broke eye contact then, a muscle jumping in his jaw.
He looked down at the floor, saying nothing, just thinking. Gwen waited in
tense silence for long moments until Helion looked up once again.
“Whatever this is between us? Explain that remark.”
Tension rose in the room. Gwen took in that Helion’s eyes
now smoldered with banked embers. Not a full-blown inferno but it promised one
was coming. But how to answer without throwing kerosene on that fire? It went
against her nature to be so honest about her feelings but it seemed as if now
was the time for plain speaking.
“Okay look, I understand now how much being a father means
to you. I didn’t really understand it before but I get it now. But relationships
that are kept going just for the children aren’t usually happy ones. I want to
be happy. Yes, the safety and security you’re offering are tempting all by
themselves but when I marry, I want love. I want to love my husband and know he
loves me back. I don’t want to be married just because I got knocked up and you
feel an obligation toward me because of it.”