Zealot (32 page)

“It’d be awe inspiring. Until they shot us out of the sky. At close range, even their primitive nucs can damage our smaller ships.”

“Then we’ll land on the lawn and say, ‘Take me to your leader’.” He said the last few words in a cartoony voice.

Zilor smiled, pleased that Garin could joke after declaring war on the status quo. No one took this conflict more seriously than Garin. Zilor was glad he wasn’t allowing himself to be completely consumed by it. “And our next step?”

“Contact Nazerel and Morgan. The task force is in place for situations like ours, though I suspect they’ve never dealt with anything this far-reaching. With Nazerel involved, we have a better chance of being told the truth.”

Zilor only nodded as his mind spun on ahead. They had come so far, yet they still had so far to go. It was intimidating and yet exhilarating.

“How far have things progressed with you and Indigo?”

Garin’s question jarred Zilor out of his contemplation. He studied Garin’s expression, but as usual Garin only revealed what he wanted others to see. “She still wears my mark, but I’ve yet to claim her. As ordered, sir.”

Garin chuckled. “Raylon confirmed that her list was prioritized. Has she interacted with any of her other matches?”

The gleam in Garin’s eyes warned Zilor that his brother knew the answer. Thanks to Raylon, Garin knew everything that went on at Lunar 9. “She hadn’t when I left. I think Raylon told Irron to wait until this was over. No need to set a new fire until the existing one was put out.”

“I want to meet her.”

The simple statement dried up Zilor’s mouth and paralyzed his chest. This was what he’d feared, what he’d dreaded, ever since he saw Garin’s name on her list. Forcing air into his lungs, he grumbled, “That’s your right.”

Garin laughed, the sound grating across Zilor’s raw nerves. “I’m curious. Nothing more.”

Danvier looked at Zilor meaningfully.
Tell him
. The insistent thought blared inside Zilor’s mind.

If he talked with Raylon, he already knows,
Zilor countered, carefully shielding their connection from Garin.

He’s waiting for you to tell him. It’s his right to know.

Pausing long enough to glare at Danvier, Zilor then turned and faced Garin. “Indigo is a direct descendant of the Tandoris.”

“I know.” Garin grinned. “Raylon told me, but why didn’t you?”

She’s mine!
Though his soul screamed the claim, honor kept him silent. Garin was the one person Zilor couldn’t fight. If Garin’s curiosity led to interest, he could unravel Zilor’s world. He’d be forced to choose between love and honor. And honor was all he had left.

He swallowed past his emotion tensed throat and whispered, “I should have. I apologize.”

After a long tense pause, Garin asked, “Do you want her that badly?”

“I’m in love with her.” He could have said more, but that should have been enough for a compassionate brother.

Garin’s gaze softened and the barest hint of a smile teased the corners of his mouth. “My original assessment stands, Zilor. I don’t have time for a female.”

Zilor’s panic melted, leaving a stunned sort of elation. Garin didn’t want her! Wait. Why didn’t Garin want her? Indigo was everything he needed in a mate, smart, beautiful, with a politically beneficial bloodline. “Please don’t be insulted by the question, but what’s wrong with you?”

“If I were building an empire, bonding with Indigo would be the perfect strategic move. But I’m muscle. I’m a king maker. I have no desire to be king.”

“Do you have a king in mind?” Danvier asked.

Zilor had all but forgotten the harbinger was there. “Good question.”

“I’m considering several candidates, but none have solidified my decision.”

“And do you still want to meet Indigo?” Zilor grumbled.

Garin laughed. “Am I not allowed to meet my brother’s future mate?”

His teasing tone went a long way toward lightening Zilor’s mood. “I’d be more comfortable if you met her after I’d claimed her.”

“I’m sure you would.” He chuckled again, but Zilor was finally able to smile. “Were you on her prioritized list?”

“I’m her number one choice according to Sental’s program.”

“Given your reaction, I’m not surprised.” Garin asked no more questions and Zilor wasn’t about to pester him further.

The conversation moved on to lighter subjects and Zilor tried to relax.

Mere seconds after they emerged from hyperspace, the
Phantom One’s
com system picked up a priority message being transmitted on a repeating loop. “I, Quinton Keire, Crown Stirate of Rodymia declare Garin, Bandar and Zilor Nox traitors to the crown and fugitives from the law. Anyone providing information resulting in their capture will receive one million standard credits. If they are apprehended and returned to Rodymia, dead or alive, the responsible party will receive five million credits. I also emphasize that the battle born rebellion is high treason. Anyone participating in this insurrection shall be penalized to the full extent of the law.”

“That didn’t take long,” Garin muttered.

“Bandar wasn’t even there,” Zilor objected. “This is ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous is Quinton’s specialty. This isn’t even surprising. I knew he’d react. I just figured it wouldn’t happen until after we posted the recording of his humiliation.”

They arrived at Lunar 9 half an hour later and docked across from the
Crusader
. The hatch opened and Zilor tensed. Raylon and Indigo were on the concourse waiting for them.

Danvier descended first, obviously in a hurry to check on his sister.

Garin flashed a knowing smile as he brushed past Zilor and climbed down the steep stairs leading to the walkway.

“Did everything go as planned?” Raylon asked in a bright, cheerful tone.

“Smooth as glass,” Garin assured him.

Zilor descended just in time to see Raylon’s disgruntled face. “I hate being left behind.”

“There will be plenty of action to come, my friend. This is just getting started.” Garin kept glancing at Indigo though he continued to speak with Raylon. “We need to set up a meeting with Nazerel and Morgan ASAP.”

“Already done,” Raylon told him. “They’re expecting us tomorrow morning.”

“Very good. Are the station’s com-systems online yet?”

“Communications was one of the systems requiring extensive upgrades, so they’re still a few days out. If you’re asking about Quinton’s message, however, the ships picked it up loud and clear.” He indicated the
Crusader
and the
Intrepid
.

“How does it feel to be a criminal?” Garin smiled and slapped Raylon on the back.

“You tell me. You’re the one with a price on your head.”

“How can you laugh about this?” Indigo asked. “Quinton was certainly not joking.”

Garin turned and met her gaze. Zilor’s breath lodged in his throat.

“Quinton is an incompetent child who was never fit to rule. He is the perfect example of why hereditary rulers need to be abolished.” His expression was stern, his tone authoritative and still she held her ground.

“I understand that, but a bounty that large will attract people from God knows where. Quinton is now the least of your problems.”

“It’s sweet for you to be so worried about me. We’ve yet to officially meet.”

Would she realize he was joking? Garin’s expressions could be hard to read.

Without missing a beat, she fired back. “I wasn’t worried about you, sir. I was concerned about Zilor. Also my best friend has mated with Bandar. I don’t want to see Raina upset.”

Garin laughed and looked at Zilor. “She’s adorable. I approve.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Raylon said before Zilor could react. “There was quite a situation yesterday. She needs to be claimed as soon as possible.”

“Explain.” Garin motioned toward the
Crusader
. “As we walk.”

Zilor waited until the other two were out of earshot before he pulled Indigo into his arms and kissed her deeply. “I told you I’d be back.”

“I’m thrilled.” She kissed him briefly then took his hand and led him toward the outpost’s main entrance.

“Garin found an address for Vox. I’ll check it out in the morning.”

“Wonderful. I’m dying to know who he is and why Mimi recommended him. You know it’s weird. Chandar said the name seemed familiar, but she wasn’t able to remember why.”

“I’ll find him. I promise.”

She squeezed his hand and offered him a smile before she said, “Things have been interesting since you’ve been gone.”

“What was Raylon talking about? Why do you need to be claimed?”

“One of the medics notified
all
of the men on my list. A bunch of them rushed the Pavilion determined to…I don’t honestly know what they were hoping to do.”

“Was Raylon there?”

“Not until after things turned ugly.”

“How ugly?” He stopped and pulled her around to face him. His gaze searched for any discoloration, scrape or cut. “Were you harmed?”

“No, but Chandar was pretty upset.” She eased out from under his hands and started walking again. “They seemed relatively rational at first, so I tried to talk to them. But the medic, his name was Dorrin or Dorsit, he was a serious rebel rouser. Got the others all fired up.”

“How fired up?”

She placed her hand on his forearm and squeezed. “I’m fine. Chandar blocked the archway with a burst of energy and Raylon got the situation under control. But he told everyone I’d chosen you to take the wind out of their sails. If any of them see me again and they don’t sense your claim, Raylon is worried that hostilities will flare again.”

“Thank the gods for Raylon.” Zilor grinned. “That’s one order I’m thrilled to carry out.”

“It’s not yet an order. It’s a recommendation. The order has to come from Garin.”

Zilor sighed as the hope building inside him rapidly deflated. “I’m not sure where Garin’s head is on this. He told me he wasn’t interested in a mate. But he found out you’re a Tandori and suddenly he wants to meet you.”

“We met. I smarted off and made him laugh.” She looked up at him in confusion. “Why are you worried about this?”

“Because I will fight to the death if any other male tries to claim you. But Garin is my older brother. Honor demands that I—”

As if hearing his name, Garin pinged Zilor’s mind.

“Hold on,” he told Indigo.
Go ahead
.

I agree with Raylon. We can’t risk a full-scale riot. Claim Indigo.

Copy that. And thank you.

I understand the appeal, but I meant what I said. I don’t have time for a female.

Without explaining his exuberance, Zilor swept Indigo into his arms and kissed her. He refused to release her mouth, so he pushed his thoughts across their link.
Garin just gave his permission. I can claim you now.

They kissed for a long time, oblivious to the world around them. Finally, Indigo eased away and smiled broadly. “There’s only one question left. Do you want to hold out for transformation or do this now? If we hold out, we’re stuck with condoms until the medical team has cleared Raina. That could take days, even weeks.”

He raised his hands to her face, looking deep into her eyes. “Knowing you’re mine will be reward enough. If you don’t want to—”

“I want to,” she assured him. “You’re making it possible for me to understand my magic. I want to give you access to yours.”

Joy surged through his being, intoxicating and pure. Not wanting to startle her, he filtered the intensity before allowing it to flow across their link. “Putting up with condoms is no sacrifice if I can wake up each morning with you in my arms.”

He bent to kiss her again when someone called out with a laugh, “Get a room.”

Unable to halt the rebellious impulse, Indigo pushed to her toes and resumed the kiss. “You’re my mate,” she whispered. “I’ll kiss you wherever and whenever I please.”

“Say it again.” His lips moved against hers as he whispered the words.

“I’ll kiss you whenever I please.” He reached down and pinched her behind. She laughed then responded, “You’re my mate. I love you with all that I am. And I will love you forever.”

After another searing kiss, he lifted his head and proclaimed to anyone willing to listen, “Indigo is my mate. I love her with all that I am. And I will love her forever!”

Coming Winter 2016

Battle Born, Book Four
:
Two years of unimaginable abuse have left Chandar emotionally damaged yet determined to move beyond the pain. In a final act of treachery, her captor wiped her memory clean in an effort to conceal his evil. Now she’s free and working to rebuild her life, but what use is a harbinger who no longer trusts her prophetic abilities? And Chandar was once the most powerful harbinger her star system had ever seen.

Raylon, the battle born rebellion’s fiercest warrior, has known nothing but hardship and violence. Rescuing Chandar awakened feelings he thought long dead within his soul. Now she sees him as her champion, a protector to drive back her fear. He, on the other hand, is tormented by inappropriate thoughts and desires that would horrify her. He has never wanted a female as much as he wants Chandar, but he knows it’s impossible. She’s much too fragile, too broken, to want him as anything but her defender.