8
They were made to do this. Drake felt her arms tighten around his waist, making him smile against her lips. She was so sweet. Had he ever tasted anything as heavenly? Finally, finally, his fingers dove into her chocolate tresses and the silky feeling was more than he could ever have imagined. His mouth had a mind of it’s own and tasted the feminine jaw line he couldn’t take his eyes off of the night before.
Ruby tasted better than she smelled. Just like honey so sweet he wanted to drown in it. A tendril worked its way out of his soul when he felt her hot breath panting against his ear. It was happening. He shouldn’t let it happen, but he was beyond reason now. Let the pieces fall where they may. He would have Ruby. She was his, yes, but he was also hers.
He nipped at the side of her neck, eliciting a moan that sealed itself upon his memory forever. His gut clenched – half agony, half need – as this side of him awoke. So long he had cared only for those that sailed with him on The Journey, making sure they had the basic necessities. So long he had denied all personal contact, for fear of becoming weak. He was a leader. He had to be strong, capable, and able to make decisions without a second thought.
“Drake,” his name a breathy moan from her lips. It made him want to keep her strapped to the wall and do all sorts of things to her. He wanted to hear his name every way she could say it.
A nagging thought broke through the lustful haze. They were in an escape pod going to the nearest planet. He didn’t know which one. It could be a safe planet, or it could be a dangerous one.
Regretfully he gentled their kiss, whispering her name and drawing back slightly. Her amber eyes were hooded and those cheeks were pinking once again. He couldn’t help kissing her one more time, then placing his forehead against hers. The pod was quiet except for their ragged breath.
“I think,” she whispered, finally reopening her eyes. “I think we landed.”
Impossible. He would have felt them land. They must still be on their descent. But when he looked towards the small window, he was utterly shocked. He could see a dark milky sky. His surprise must be evident, because amusement danced in her eyes.
Ruby Collins was powerful in more ways than one. He raised an eyebrow, “So we are.”
“So… what do we do now?”
A loaded question that made him smile. He leaned to kiss her – just once more – but that blasted image flicked across his mind and he pulled back. A shadow passed over him, and he abruptly hit the release button. Their restraints fell to the ground. He turned, opening the door, and grabbed the tracker bar from the wall.
Shame was quickly being replaced by bitterness. If she weren’t standing here he would have pounded the wall with his fist until it drew blood. He could only blame himself though. This was entirely his fault. He was the one that signed the bloody agreement.
Drake lifted his hand towards her. “We must walk to higher land to see where we are. The pod is always directed to the nearest planet compatible to our biochemical needs.” She shot him a quizzical look. “Oxygen. Water. A planet we could survive on.”
She hesitated but took his hand, saying nothing. Her eyes focused on anything except him. The warmth of her touch soothed his soul, but it was too late. Reality had reached his mind once more. Reminding him of what a true scoundrel he really was. And how unworthy he was to receive such looks and thoughts from this woman.
They were on a beach. The blue sand sparkled in the moonlight. He didn’t recognize the area, but he hoped it was Silandia or one of its outlying planets. Located far from the reaches of Da’Nesh influence and a generally unquestioning population. Drifters were common on the outskirts, so hopefully he and Ruby could fly under the radar until The Journey was able to pick them up. Drake tucked the transmitter into his pocket, the only thing that linked them to the ship.
“Wow,” Ruby whispered, her eyes on the heavens. “It’s so beautiful.”
The moonlight must be twice as bright as that on Earth. Drake agreed, and cast his gaze over her illuminated face. Between the shimmering blue sand and light from above, Ruby looked ethereal. As if she were something from a dream. Almost as if she were Alium herself. “The most beautiful.”
Her eyes flickered to him and he could feel the warmth from her cheeks. A knife twisted in his gut. He loved doing that to her. Loved the heat wafting from her face. Wanted to bring it back. Now.
You don’t know where you are, he reminded himself. They had to get to higher ground. He had to make sure she was safe. That was the highest priority. It would be anywhere from 24 to 48 hours before the others would pick them up. While the planet was more than likely friendly, he wouldn’t be able to sleep until he knew for certain.
As soon as they hit the tree line there was a small winding pathway that led up the nearest hill. Normally he chose to stay off high-risk paths, but it was late. And he still hadn’t checked the cut on Ruby’s head.
He had almost killed Kala when she told him Ruby was on her way to an escape pod. If she had gone by herself… only God knows what would have happened to her. Drake shuddered to think how frightening that would be. He gripped her hand tightly, drawing strength from her warmth.
They walked along for a while, the silence only broken when he warned her about rocks or uneven steps. Suddenly he felt her other hand on his arm and he looked down to find her staring at his face in shock.
“Wait… so that’s how you’re doing it! You – you can see in the dark?”
Instinctively he turned away from her gaze. “An Alium trait,” he stated, his voice grim. “We are seers of the dim world.” And freaks because of it. They were the only race to have such a peculiarity. When they had been one of the most powerful cultures in the galaxy it had not been an issue. Now that the majority of the population had been massacred, it meant they were outsiders. Different from others.
A soft hand on his cheek gently led his gaze back to her. But he didn’t see revulsion or fear in her eyes. He saw awe and wonder. It rocked him to his core. He watched her delicate throat work as she swallowed nervously.
“That’s amazing, Drake,” she said, breathless. “You are amazing.”
Holding her hand wasn’t going to cut it anymore. With a quick move of his arms he swooped down and picked her up. Ruby let out a squeal, but he continued their walk, fitting her tightly against his chest.
“I’m perfectly capable of walking, you know.”
Drake nodded. “I am aware." The blush was back. He smiled to himself.
“But I will let you do this, simply because I’m exhausted.” She rubbed her forehead and frowned. “And I’ve got a killer headache.”
“You mustn’t fall asleep,” he warned. “I believe you have a concussion. You will need to stay awake until I can look at your wound.”
“Well then,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “As long as I’m not too heavy, you can carry me the rest of the way. But you better start talking, or I’ll be asleep in no time.”
“You are not too heavy. And I missed my training today, this will be good for my strength.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I’m not sure whether I’m being complimented or offended.”
“Certainly not the latter,” Drake growled, her scent beginning to drive him to madness once again. He needed a distraction. Desperately. “Tell me of your life on Earth. I have heard of its many rich resources and cultures. Is it as archaic as the travelers suggest?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Archaic? We’re not in the stone ages, you know. We may have only been in contact with aliens for a decade, but we’re learning fast. And we certainly don’t have to have sudden-death tournaments to find love.”
Drake froze. “You have a mate… back home?”
The warrior in him awoke with a growl and a vow of vengeance. He would kill this man, whoever he was. Slowly and with nothing but his bare hands. How dare any mere man think they could touch his woman.
His woman? That was a dangerous and reckless thought.
“Why?” A slow smile spread across Ruby’s face. “You wouldn’t be jealous would you? Drake, Crown Prince of Alium. Warrior. Fugitive of the Da’Nesh. Protector of his people. You couldn’t possibly be envious of a poor Earth man.”
“Ruby,” he growled in warning, holding her even tighter against his chest. His skin burned where she touched him.
Would this Earth boy protect her? Be able to provide and care for her? Would he show her respect? Would he put her needs ahead of his own? His warrior spirit salivated at the thought of a rival.
Her slap to the side of his head jolted his attention back to her. “Of course there isn’t some guy waiting for me,” she laughed. As if he should already know. As if that were a physical impossibility. Relief coursed through his veins and his legs were able to become mobile once more.
Ruby waved her hand in the air, “Guys just don’t care about me. I’ve never really thought about it before. When I was in school I always focused on getting good grades, and then I was so focused on my career I guess I just never thought about it. No one ever asked, so nothing ever happened.”
“Are the men on Earth mad?” He had never heard of such stories, but it could be possible. How could anyone see or hear Ruby and not be as enthralled as he was? She was such a juxtaposition of kindness, bravery, and beauty that it messed with his mind in the best way possible.
“From your lips, to God’s ears.”
Perhaps the soul match had shielded her. Saving her for the right person. His eyes closed briefly as the revelation hit him.
“So…” her voice trailed low and with it his sense of calm. “Is there… you know? Someone for you?”
Drake shrugged his shoulders. “No. There is no Earth man waiting for me.”
Her laugh was beautiful. Her eyes crinkled with her smile. “You’re funny.”
“Definitely not.”
Ruby’s smile widened. “Definitely yes! You’re hilarious.”
“I assure you I have never been known for being humorous.”
“Well that is a shame. I guess I’m privileged to know the true Drake of Alium.”
There was more truth to that than she knew. He spotted a small abandoned shuttle ahead. Having reached the crest of the hill it was now too late even for his night vision eyes. Heavy fog lifted from the ground, making it impossible to see very far. They would have to wait it out until morning.
He set her down gently and pried the door open with ease. There was more room than their pod, but it was obviously not capable of deep space flight. More like a planetary transport vehicle. It was definitely not Da’Nesh, and for that Drake was grateful.
The seats had been salvaged long ago, but there was an old tarp in a corner and he stretched it out. He sat first and held his hand out; Ruby immediately took it and sat down by him. Her fingers twined with his once more, and neither felt the need to speak.
Had he really only met this woman a day ago? It seemed so much longer. He had never been one to ponder much about soul matches, destiny, and love. His thoughts were more consumed by war and hatred. But ever since he’d caught a glimpse of her standing on the other side of that arena, a monster standing between them, and Ruby holding nothing but a dagger to slay it, he had changed.
A chain reaction had started, undeniable even when he tried his very best to resist. He was failing miserably. He was supposed to be tracking down a traitor and killing the General. Defeating the Da’Nesh.
Instead his thoughts were consumed by Ruby. Being apart from her today had not mattered. Her hold on his mind only increased with their distance. He was a drowning man treading water, and losing the fight fast. Losing it gladly. A part of his soul wanted to bond with her so tightly they would never be separate again.
Is this what his mother had told him about all those years ago? When he was naïve enough to think that war was the only thing worth living for and love was mere child’s play?
Love. Was he in love with Ruby Collins?
Drake turned his head a fraction and his eyes collided with pure amber.
She wet her lips, her delicate pink tongue nearly making him tremble. And then she said something that only Ruby could say.
“I’m tired, but I’m not supposed to sleep.”
He gave a slight nod, his throat unable to choke out words.
“I’m stuck on an alien planet. I should be terrified.”
The warrior of Alium rendered speechless by a small Earth woman. Her heat curled into his skin, soaking into his bones.
“But I’m not scared. Not even a little bit. Because you promised to get me back home safely.”
He swallowed hard and managed to nod once.
Ruby leaned closer, her lips just a breath away from his.
“But… what if I don’t want to go back home?”
With one sentence she brought his entire house of cards crumbling to the ground.