A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) (9 page)

Sev spotted Areo’s hands reaching for the strings of her doeskin blouse. His breath caught and his eyes grew large. She parted the collar and slipped it over her head. His heart started to race. The leather top floated to the ground. Next, Areo removed the thin strap that held the small pouch around her waist and placed it on her blouse. She then released the strings on her waist and dropped the skirt beside her top. Sev gulped. When Areo bent over to remove her underwear, Sev almost fell out of the tree.

Areo dove into the crystal-blue water and leisurely swam to the rocks beneath the falls. There, she carefully climbed to the top of the rocks so she could stand beneath the falling water. She turned and faced the line of trees. Sev thought he was dreaming. Never in his wildest fantasies did he imagine that Areo would be so breathtaking.

His eagle eyes touched every delectable inch of her. He wanted her. He wanted his hands in place of hers. He wanted to massage those beautiful breasts, thrust in between those lovely thighs. Sev was unaware that his claws were fully extended and had raked into the bark between his thighs in response.

Sev closed his eyes tight, dipping his head forward on a loud groan. His nails clawed deeper into the bark. He was mere minutes
from completion. He was unsure if he could bear anymore of this bittersweet torture. Still, he continued to watch Areo bathe.

He recalled what had happened between them in the control room. His right hand rubbed along his erection. His groans became louder. As in his dreams, Areo fit perfectly underneath him. She had responded to his touch. Unlike his dreams, Areo was small, tight, and extremely wet.

Sev bolted to his feet. He tore opened his pants and faced the tree. He grasped his manhood and tugged. Within seconds, thick, white fluid spilled over his hand in steady flows. Sev leaned his forehead on the tree. Turning his head, he opened his eyes. He believed they glowed brighter now than when he’d had Areo in his arms.

“Areo,” he whispered. He had chosen his mate.

Sev wanted to go to her with every aching need in his impassioned body, but a horrible thought stopped him. Areo wanted to leave. His chest tightened painfully. His heart accelerated, this time out of fear of losing her. Sev shook his hand and cleaned it the best he could with the broad leaves around him. He placed his member back into his pants and carefully closed the zipper.

He had to convince Areo to stay. He could not give his heart to someone who would take it and then disappear. Sev watched Areo dress. She made herself comfortable at the base of the tree he was hidden in. It was time to get some questions answered. Sev landed in front of Areo without making a sound.

Areo gasped. “Jeezum, you scared me! What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

What was she doing? She knew Sev was not to blame for sneaking up on her. It was her own fault for not using her preternatural senses to scan the area for intruders. She was lucky it was Sev and not Jack the Ripper.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve been more aware of my environment.”

Areo could not miss the hunger that shone behind those partly closed lids. His arousal stood proud and bold. It matched how she felt. Her cold bath had not diffused the bomb about to explode
within her. It was on a timer, and each time Sev went near her, it clicked a second closer to zero.

It dawned on her why Sev was hot and bothered.
How long had he been there?
she wondered. Areo moved a wet strand from her face. “What do you want?” she breathlessly asked him. The idea of him having watched her excited her, pushing her closer to detonation.

Sev roguishly grinned. Those flaming orbs raked over her outstretched legs. They lingered at her junction, touched her tummy, then remained at her bosom.

“You don’t want me to answer that,” was his fervid reply.

His words were like a sharp knife to her heart. Areo turned her face away so he would not see their effect on her. It seemed she was too slow, for Sev swiftly knelt in front of her.

“Are you all right?” he asked. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything,” she downheartedly answered. “Sev… what happened between us in the control room was beautiful. But it can never happen again. It must never…happen…again.”

“But why? Is it because of Jugar? Is it because of something he said? Is he the reason why you are turning away from me?”

Areo wanted to end the conversation. Dwelling on the topic only hurt her more. “Yes and no.” She lowered her lashes and tried for an easier explanation. “Sev…we have to remember that I will soon be heading back to my own world.”

Sev clenched his jaw.

“We can’t get involved when I can’t stay with you.”

“Why can’t you stay with me? I told you, the castle is your home for as long as you want it to be.” He edged closer to her.

Areo read the pleading in his eyes. “But I’m not like you. Look at me.” She lifted her hands to her face. “I don’t have any cat features. I can’t change my appearance to make myself like you.” She was not about to lie to him, even though she could never tell him the whole truth.

Sev shook his head. “I don’t desire cat features.” He leaned over to within a hairsbreadth of her lips. “I desire you.” He captured her mouth in a telling kiss.

The floor dropped beneath Areo. The man knew exactly what it took to make her do his bidding. Sev had complete dominance over her traitorous body. His tongue stroked her into submission. Areo leaned into the warm moistness of his mouth. Inhaling his scent, she grew warm and languid and yearned for more of his devilish explorations.

Unexpectedly, Challen’s and Carol Ann’s dear faces appeared in Areo’s mind, dousing her passions. “Stop.” She nudged him away. “I told you, I can’t.” She stood and moved away, stopping several feet away from him. “Someone will come for me. I will return to Aaren where I live.” Dejectedly, she added, “Where I belong.”

“You belong here!”

Sev’s outburst surprised her. From the look on his face, she saw he meant it. Areo decided to explain the reason why she could not remain with him. At least, the part that would be most beneficial to him.

“Sev, come and have a seat beside me. We have to talk.”

“I’d better not. I’ll stay here. You sit if you like.”

“OK, then.” Areo sat back down. “I never did thank you for saving my life.” She met his gaze. “And you never did get around to asking those questions. Why?”

Sev shrugged his shoulders. “They don’t matter anymore.”

“I see. Nonetheless, here we go. I live on a planet called Aaren. Aaren is part of an alliance of peace-loving planets that trade with and protect each other. I’m one of the warriors sworn to keep this unified group together and safe from enemy attacks. Sea Base Five is a space station; it also houses the headquarters of the Aligned Worlds. There are nine space stations in total. A tenth one, only two days travel from here on warp speed ten, was built with permission from the Space Guardians, since this is their jurisdiction. Sea Base Ten’s grand-opening ceremony was to take place on my birthday. It was supposed to be a giant extravaganza, but what it turned out to be was a royal bloodbath. Apparently, someone by the name of Daehog wishes to rule this entire dimension of Guildhall.”

Sev scowled.

“Oh, yes, the
entire
dimension Guildhall. But it seems he felt my warriors and I and what we stand for was an obstacle. So, he sent his disciples, called the Dominion, to attack Sea Base Ten.”

“That was where you were almost killed.”

Areo noted his fingers curled into fists. “Amongst other things.”

“Other things?”

“Sea Base Ten was capable of holding over a million lives—”

“A million!” he interrupted.

Her head bowed once. “We were all asleep. Only the night crew was on duty. Unbeknownst to us, amongst our night crew were some traitors.”

His face darkened.

“These traitors turned off our security alarms. By the time we realized we’d been breached, the alien invaders were in our bedrooms.”

Sev’s eyes opened wide. “What happened?”

Areo raised her knees, placed her elbows on them, and covered her face with her hands. “My worst nightmare.” She took a deep swallow. “Six aliens entered my room. They snatched me from my bed, ripped my nightclothes off, and—”

“Did they touch you?” She did not answer fast enough. Sev grabbed her by her arms and yanked her up to him. “Did they rape you?”

His actions startled her. “No, thank Onssa.”

Sev searched her eyes for the truth.

“My brother Bob entered my room and killed them.”

Sev slouched in relief. He leaned his forehead against hers and massaged her arms. “Princess.” He kissed her.

Areo’s eyes fluttered shut. Sev’s endearment transported her back in time to when things seemed less complicated. She allowed herself a few minutes to enjoy his insistent mouth.

“Sev.”

Sev sighed. “Yes, I know.” He stepped back a few paces and sat on his haunches. “Go on, please.” He sat there, watching her intently, struggling with his breath.

Areo sat back down. “We were cut off from our weapons and ships. We had to fight our way through the alien blockade with our bare hands. I ran into a dear old friend of ours. He was the traitor who had organized the Dominion’s entry. Mikkoa confronted me in the corridors. Unfortunately,”—she pointed to Sev’s sword— “my forte is not the sword, but the staff, bow, and gun. Mikkoa, however, is an excellent swordsman.” Areo recalled the invasion for him.

“If John was taking you to a White Star for medical aid, then how did you get inside that Starfighter? Where was your brother John?”

“When we exited the elevator, we were confronted. The enemy was everywhere, killing every innocent life they found. The men were forced to watch women and little girls being raped, first by the aliens’ manhood, then by their blade. They were ripped open from within.” Areo covered her face with her hands. Her words were muffled as she continued to speak. “The women who were pregnant were cut open. Their infants were chopped to pieces in front of them as they lay dying.” Her voice tapered off.

Sev listened patiently. His face spoke of horror. Such morbid savagery, such horrid bloodthirstiness, such atrocities did not occur—did they?

“When they finished torturing and raping, they decapitated everyone. John had to put me down so he could confront our attackers and help as many civilians as possible. We couldn’t leave them behind or unassisted. By the time we got to the docking bay, I was more determined not to let the Dominion win.”

Her gaze fell to the grass. “I was shocked at how easily they got the best of us by simply turning a few humanoids against us. This enraged me and gave me the necessary energy to do what I had to do. I gave my people orders to keep the enemy occupied, but I didn’t tell them why.”

Areo looked up at Sev. “I waited. When I saw the opening I was looking for, I made a dash for the nearest Starfighter. I started its engines and began shooting every unfamiliar alien I could see. I gave the others enough time and cover to get to their ships. By
then, I was on a roll and on my way out to help stave off the advancing enemy troops.”

It took Sev a while to find his voice. “How can such an evil being exist?”

“Now do you understand why I must go back?”

“Yes.” He gravely nodded. “But not alone.”

Her brows met. “What do you mean?”

“I will speak to the Seacats. I’m sure they will agree that we must return with you to assist in defeating Daehog.”

“No!” Areo hurried to her feet. “There’s no way in hell I want you near that monster. If he touches you or if he hurts you, I…” She could not go on. The thought alone filled her with an immense energy capable of disintegrating a planet.

Sev’s lips twitched as he fought against smiling.

“Sev, you and the others must stay here. When I return to Aaren, I will join my people in defeating Daehog and his Dominions. If by chance he kills me and defeats my warriors, then it will be up to you, and all the Seacats you can gather, to destroy him and keep him from taking over Guildhall.”

Sev’s face darkened. The cold copper steel in his eyes pinned Areo in place. “Let me get this straight.” He stood up. “You are to return to your people and face Daehog, while I remain here twiddling my claws, waiting in restless anticipation for a visit from the Dominion that would confirm your death. Is that what you are asking me to do?”

“Well, you kind of simplified it, but…yes. That’s the general idea.”

“Is that the sort of male you think I am?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m a Seacat, Areo. A warrior. A defender and protector of the weak and innocent. I’m not some coward who hides on a distant planet waiting and hoping that someone else wins the fight for me.”

“I never said you were. But if I’m defeated, I’m going to need you to pick up where I left off. Sev, you’re actually my backup plan.”

“Backup! How in the blazes do you expect me to back you up if you go flying off, leaving me here?”

“I’ve already explained that to you.”

“The only thing you’ve explained is that you intend to leave and get yourself killed. And there won’t be a blast-it thing I can do, because I’ll be stuck here!” he shouted, pointing to the ground.

“It’s not like that—”

“The blazes it’s not! I refuse to let you go and face this monster without me! I refuse to let anyone hurt you again.” He added in a softer tone, “Or worse.”

Sev touched her soul, but she could not dwell on his feelings for her or all would be lost. “You have no choice.”

“The blazes you say.”

“Sev, listen to me! Blast it out of the sky! You are the Lord of Oceanica. You are needed here to protect and rebuild your home-world, just as I am needed to protect and rebuild mine.”

Sev growled louder and much longer this time. “You are not going anywhere without me. You are not—”

Spinning on her heels, Areo covered her ears. “Stop it! I don’t want this!”

“What?

“This isn’t what I want! Nor is it what I need right now!”

“What are you talking about?”

“What I’m saying is, stop trying to protect me! I’m not some innocent who needs to be sheltered and protected from the big, bad wolf. For the past eleven years, I have seen my share of battles. I have seen those I love drop dead right before my eyes.”