Kyele's Passion: A World Beyond Book 4 (2 page)

How did she end up in such a precarious position?

“I love you,” she whispered in her son’s ear and blinked back tears.

***

Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. Victoria soon found herself relaxing. Almost as if accepting this new fate life had given her. Never did she think that signing up for the Singles Program, designed for Earth women to find husbands on alien worlds would result in being snatched and turned into a sex slave.

Of course she only had one
owner
. Her gaze strayed toward her open window and the man standing at the front of hundreds of soldiers in the courtyard below. Section by section, row by row, he walked. A nod here or fierce frown there. General Azar of the renowned Spectar army. No one came within miles of the planet for fear of calling down his wrath. Servants talked and apparently none of them considered Victoria a danger. They spoke freely of the battles he won when warring fractions sought to overrun their home world years ago.

Victoria placed her palm on the window. Not even the Marenians entered the Spectar air space, knowing the General had a reputation for commanding his troops to shoot first and ask questions later. The people hailed him as their greatest leader ever and treated him with an almost obsessive homage.

Azar singled out one of his men, who stepped forward and saluted crisply. Azar spoke, though, she couldn’t hear the words and two more soldiers joined the first. In the blink of an eye, he pulled the weapon from a holster on his hips and fired in rapid succession. All three men fell.

Victoria gasped, heart racing. Uniform-clad men came forward and removed the bodies of their slain comrades. No one looked surprised nor moved. Least of all the General who’d taken those lives without hesitation.

“They betrayed Spectar.”

She turned at Faan’s voice. The young man designated as Kyele’s guard made no secret of his growing feelings for her. Unfortunately, only one man here made her heart race.

“What did they do?” she asked.

Faan steered her away from the window, his hand light on her shoulder. “They sold secrets about strategy formations for one of the flight units. General Azar has already struck them from the records. Those patterns will never be used again in fire fights.”

Harsh punishment but from what Victoria had seen of the worlds beyond Earth, perhaps it was fitting. Her limited exposure to the Marenians, a race of slavers, was enough to let her know there were horrible places she couldn’t imagine. Worse than Spectar and if possible, worse than Marenia.

“Would you like to walk?” Faan’s brown eyes lit with hope.

A walk. Victoria’s lips curled. As if she was a pet. “Why not?”

But not without her son. She hurried over to the soft mat on the floor where Kyele lay on his back, his foot in his tiny grip. Smiling, she picked him up and smoothed out the yellow one piece he wore. He grinned, a new skill, and patted her cheeks.

Faan waited at the door, his patience one of the things she appreciated about him. Too bad her heart belonged to a man who didn’t deserve it.

Through the halls, gazes turned in their direction. Servants nodded, soldiers saluted and many smiled at Kyele. For her their stares contained frustration. They wanted her to acquiesce to their General’s overtures. Everyone knew she didn’t share his bed. A sex slave who didn’t have sex. Her smile was self-deprecating. Victoria didn’t care. It was no secret she didn’t appreciate being kept hostage. A soft, lush jail with all of the amenities was still a jail.

She and Faan reached the outer courtyard where Azar ran through his daily routines with his men. The air was warm but Victoria still cuddled Kyele closer. She waited with Faan on the outer edges of the field until he deemed it safe and led them forward. Her soft flat shoes kicked up dirt as they crossed a well worn path.

She’d watched the General lead his men in maneuvers a time or two before. Victoria flushed. Maybe a dozen. Usually by Azar’s request to see his son when he was too busy to get away.

Those summons had caused Victoria to be snippy at first. She’d refused until he came himself and took Kyele down to the fields without a glance for her. At first, it took a moment for her to pinpoint the reason for her annoyance. Envy. She’d been envious that he wanted to spend time with his son and not her. After that time, Victoria didn’t tarry when he requested Kyele’s presence on the training fields.

Azar shouted at the men on the front line, drawing her gaze back to him. He wasn’t in his customary uniform. Today, the General wore a thin short sleeve shirt in an olive shade of green tucked into the waist of black cargo pants and military grade boots with silver buckles up the back. The short sleeves pulled taut over his straining biceps. His voice rang out as he yelled another command.

Not by a single twitch did the soldiers reveal any hint of their true feelings as bodies shifted and feet changed direction in perfect sync to his orders. Hardened killers under the command of the single man striding back and forth in front of them. They wore olive green uniforms with a silver star on the front of the jacket and a chest harness containing deadly guns.

Azar halted when he spotted Faan and Victoria’s approach. His gaze brightened and her pulse kicked up a notch. He met them halfway, already reaching for Kyele. No one could miss the adoration on his face as he stared at their son.

He glanced up, piercing her with a sharp stare. “Is everything alright with him?”

She shrugged, shooting Faan a look, but the loyal soldier backed up to give them privacy. Pointless. A quick look around revealed hundreds of eyes turned in their direction. Her cheeks heated. She should never have come down, but a yearning she couldn’t explain had compelled her.

“Victoria?” Azar stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Do you need anything?”

Was their hope in his tone? She met his blue eyes, unable to read his thoughts. “I brought Kyele out for fresh air.”

Disappointment flashed. Then Azar nodded as if this made perfect sense, though she’d never come down without his specific request before. “Do you mind if…if I keep him with me?”

Such hesitancy. She’d done that. Made him doubt his right to time with his child.

“Of course.”  He’d just killed three men in cold blood, yet Victoria had no fear that he’d harm her or their son. In fact, she was beginning to suspect he’d protect them with his life.

And that didn’t bode well for her future plans.

Chapter 2

This was it. The perfect opportunity. So why did it feel wrong? Victoria wrapped her arms tighter around the blanketed bundle in her arms. Luckily Kyele slept deeply. At a year old he was a happy baby. He’d started talking, and she swore from his expressions he understood everything she said in turn.

“Not much further,” Marlo murmured.

Victoria glanced up at Faan. The slim Spectar had been the perfect guard from the moment of Kyele’s birth. He loved her son as much as she did. A lot of the General’s men had come to love the half-Earthling baby. His pink skin and giggles entranced them. Apparently Spectar weren’t happy babies. Or maybe it was Azar’s change in demeanor when around Kyele.

When she thought of the General, her breath hitched. Azar doted on their son. Seeing him carry Kyele around the courtyard while he commanded his men in practice, or shouted orders from his balcony overlooking the training fields always warmed her middle.

Who would have thought the harsh dictator could have a soft spot? One he’d exhibited time and time again when it came to her or the child they’d created.

“Faan,” Victoria hissed. She had to speak with him about her nerves.

“What is it, Victoria?” He slowed to draw even with her.

“Something doesn’t feel right.” She kept her eyes on Marlo and the other man with him. They were a few feet ahead of her and Faan.

Faan’s dark eyes misted, a sign of his Spectar form as his protective instincts rose. “What does it feel like?”

Like someone wanted her dead.

“We should go back,” she said instead. She didn’t trust any of the General’s men with the exception of Faan. She didn’t like the way some of them eyed her when Azar wasn’t present.

“We can’t go back. This is the one time he’s dropped security and the ship’s captain has already been bribed and paid for.”

Victoria bit her lip, flooded with doubt. Maybe she should stay. Her relationship with Azar or lack of seemed to be changing. His concern for her was reflected in his questions about her day or when he visited to play with Kyele. They’d grown closer over the year though she’d yet to resume the sexual aspect of their relationship she knew he longed for. A few times their hands brushed and heat flared between them. She’d almost kissed him twice yesterday.

Faan paused and gripped her shoulders, Victoria snuggled Kyele closer to her chest. Faan’s brown eyes blazed with concern and another emotion she refused to acknowledge. “Don’t give up. You wanted to leave, remember?”

Victoria sensed the others paying attention. The three soldiers stopped and glanced back. They didn’t trust her. Good. She didn’t trust them, and the only reason she’d gone along with Faan’s plan to leave was because she knew the loyal soldier was in love with her. He also loved Kyele. Victoria had used that to her advantage, though she didn’t return his feelings. Her heart was already taken by the very man she ran from. She wanted to be free.

But not at this price. Not if these men wanted her dead. She nuzzled the swirls of hair on Kyele’s head. The baby soft curls tickled her chin. Her son meant the world to her, and getting him back to Earth was all she could think about.

Except thoughts of Azar kept intruding on her desire to escape.

“What do you want, Victoria?” Faan asked simply.

She didn’t get to answer as the jarring sound of alarms ripped through the night. Victoria jerked and Kyele let out a small cry.

“Hurry,” the soldiers ahead cried.

Forcing back her regret, Victoria ran with Faan. Away from the General’s strong hold.

***

Azar couldn’t believe the report on his desk. His heart pounded against his chest. “How long ago?”

“Sir?” Hectley swallowed.

“How long has Victoria and my son been missing!” Azar exploded from the chair behind his desk and grabbed the young man by the collar of his uniform.

Hectley’s face lost all its color. “Not long. Maybe an hour.”

“Where’s Lieutenant Faan? He never leaves their side.”

It didn’t matter that the guard was in love with Victoria. As long as the soldier didn’t act on those feelings Azar let him live because Victoria trusted Faan. He was the only one of his men who didn’t cause her to jump in fear.

Hectley didn’t bother struggling, remaining limp in Azar’s grip. “Faan is missing as well, General.”

Azar roared with rage and dropped Hectley who stumbled and fell to the floor, his chest rising and falling as he panted. If Faan was missing, then he was with Victoria. Had the man he trusted with all that he loved betrayed him?

“There’s more, General.” Hectley rose to his feet despite the danger in facing him. “A hit squad was sent after them.”

“No!” Azar staggered back. His heart seized and he couldn’t catch his breath. He controlled three hit squads. Small manned groups perfected in the art of assassination. “By whose orders?”

“Rizon, sir.”

The one soldier he considered more loyal than Faan.

“Cancel the orders.” Azar grabbed the weapons from his top desk draw, belting them on and raced from his office.

Hectley ran beside him, obviously determined to drive Azar mad. “Per your instructions and protocol, the hit squad has shut down all communication until the assignment is completed.”

Sweat beaded Azar’s brow. Three of his deadliest soldiers were after the woman he breathed for. The son they’d made together. He couldn’t lose them.

 Azar pointed to his brightest soldiers as he passed them in the hall. “With me.”

He burst through the main doors of his hall and paused long enough to think of which direction Faan would have taken Victoria. Sirens sounded in the far-off distance. The port. Azar closed his eyes and exhaled. After all he’d done, the steps he’d taken to make her fall in love with him. For naught. Still, Victoria wanted to leave him.

“What are your orders, General?”

Azar stiffened. Enough was enough. You could not force love and at last he accepted this. “Find the Earth woman and my son. No harm is to come to them.”

Heels clicked as several troops raced off into the dark of night. Azar pointed to Hectley. “Find the squad sent after them and tell them to stand down.”

Hiding the fear tearing him apart, Azar shifted into the Spectar form of mist  and took off for the space station. If only he could reach her before the hit squad.

The thought shattered at the sound of weapon fire.

***

The sight of the shuttle caused Victoria to stumble in relief. Faan caught her by the elbow, his face pale. She slipped to her knees, the pain in her chest all encompassing.

“Kyele,” she gasped, handing over her sleeping son from her trembling hands.

Faan secured her little boy in a tight grip and dropped to one knee beside her. “Not much further. You’re freedom is almost in reach, Madame Victoria.”

She was about to be free but not in the way she’d imagined. Victoria pressed a hand to the growing stain on her front. Only her will to see her son safe kept her from falling sooner. “Will you tell him I loved him?”

Tears glistened in Faan’s brown eyes. “Don’t give up, Madame. Tell Kyele after you’re better.”

Sweat beaded her upper lip. She hadn’t meant Kyele. It was Azar her heart cried out for as dark edges closed in on her vision. Azar’s warmth she craved. Victoria swayed and didn’t feel the ground beneath her as her body slumped to the side. Faan held Kyele with one arm and reached for her hand. Their fingers clasped together.

Victoria stared at the stars above as her heartbeat grew sluggish. So many regrets. Stubbornness had robbed her of the ability to realize every dream she’d ever had was within reach. Azar. She didn’t believe he’d sent men to attack her despite the taunt of the one soldier Faan shot after she was hit. Someone deliberately sent the highly trained assassin squad after her. Someone who’d discovered her plan to escape. But not the man who made no secret of his feelings.

In her foolishness, she’d given them the perfect opportunity to strike against the General. Her death would destroy him. She realized it now as guilt flashed through her, but Victoria blocked it. Her son was an innocent baby, and she didn’t want him raised here if danger lurked in the corners. “Promise me, Faan. Take Kyele away. Raise him without anyone the wiser. Don’t let Azar’s enemies get him.”

The General had thousands of soldiers under his command. People quaked in their boots when he walked the halls. But he had enemies too. The same who turned on her could turn on Kyele. That’s not what she wanted for her beautiful son. She might not have given Azar her heart when he asked, but she’d give their son life.

“I promise,” Faan whispered, the wet of his tears on her cheeks.

***

Explosions rocked the ground. Azar arrived at the port, his chest tearing with pain at the sight of three of his fastest ships burning. Flames soared skyward. Frantic, he raced forward, hope keeping him from accepting what his gaze showed.

He almost tripped over the body. Dark hair spilled across the ground.

“No!” Azar roared in anguish as he fell to his knees.

Savage denial had him biting his tongue on the next scream until blood filled his mouth. Not Victoria. Never his beautiful love. Azar cradled her limp body close and rocked. He cupped her still warm jaw. “
Tesa?
Don’t leave me, please. Not like this.”

Soldiers stormed the port, weapons drawn. Too late. Far too late. He searched for Faan even as he held tight to the woman in his arms. Where was his son?

Hectley came toward him, face drawn. “We have witnesses who saw Faan carry young Kyele into the ship closest to the blast zone.”

One of the burning vessels. Azar closed his eyes and nuzzled the silk of Victoria’s hair. The heady scent he’d grown to love filled his nostrils with a bittersweet burn. Jagged pain seared his throat. He opened his eyes and glared at Hectley. “Find who did this.”

It didn’t take long. Within days, confessions flew from cracked, bloody lips and swollen faces. But not the leader who instigated this tragedy. Azar couldn’t discover the one individual who had set his nightmare in motion. As a result, he slaughtered the ones he could find. Those involved in Victoria and Kyele’s death were stamped out. He was like a madman. Soldiers fell beneath his rage, traitors lost their heads, but none of it brought back his son and none of it brought back the woman who’d taken his heart to the grave with her.

From that night on, he became known as The Butcher and no one dared cross him again.